What does Acts 22:30 mean?

Despite occupying Jerusalem with a strong military presence, the Romans in Judea must tread lightly. They need to maintain peace and order without resorting to the type of violent overtures that cost Pontius Pilate his job. It doesn't help that the Jewish religion is so strange, with its invisible God.

Because of this, the tribune finds it difficult to uncover why a violent mob was trying to tear apart a Jewish man in the temple courtyard. The tribune has learned that the man is Paul from Tarsus, speaks fluent Greek, is a Roman citizen, and is not an Egyptian conman who tricked a bunch of Jews into rebelling against the Roman occupation (Acts 21:27–39). The tribune has already asked the mob, itself, with no luck (Acts 21:33–34). He's even let Paul speak to the mob, which led to more shouting and general mayhem. Finally, he resorted to the Roman tradition of flogging, but was stopped before the first stroke by Paul's Roman citizenship (Acts 22:22–29).

Since the attack occurred in the temple grounds, the tribune assumes the offense is related to religion. He decides to send Paul to the Sanhedrin—the ruling Jewish council—in hopes they can explain. He doesn't know that Paul is far cleverer than the priests, scribes, and elders, and soon has them fighting amongst themselves (Acts 23:3–10). After discovering an assassination plot against Paul, the tribune decides the entire affair is above his paygrade and sends Paul to the governor (Acts 23:12, 23–33).