Acts 21:28
Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
Original Language Analysis
κράζοντες
Crying out
G2896
κράζοντες
Crying out
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
1 of 36
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
Ἰσραηλῖται
of Israel
G2475
Ἰσραηλῖται
of Israel
Strong's:
G2475
Word #:
3 of 36
an "israelite", i.e., descendant of israel (literally or figuratively)
οὗτός
This
G3778
οὗτός
This
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
5 of 36
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
against
G2596
κατὰ
against
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
10 of 36
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαοῦ
the people
G2992
λαοῦ
the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
12 of 36
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
the law
G3551
νόμου
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
15 of 36
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τόπον
place
G5117
τόπον
place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
18 of 36
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἕλληνας
Greeks
G1672
Ἕλληνας
Greeks
Strong's:
G1672
Word #:
26 of 36
a hellen (grecian) or inhabitant of hellas; by extension a greek-speaking person, especially a non-jew
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
28 of 36
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερὸν
the temple
G2411
ἱερὸν
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
30 of 36
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
31 of 36
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κεκοίνωκεν
hath polluted
G2840
κεκοίνωκεν
hath polluted
Strong's:
G2840
Word #:
32 of 36
to make (or consider) profane (ceremonially)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
33 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἅγιον
holy
G40
ἅγιον
holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
34 of 36
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
Historical Context
Gentiles could enter the outer Court of the Gentiles but faced death for entering inner courts. Archaeologists have discovered warning inscriptions from this period threatening death to Gentiles who passed the barrier.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain integrity when falsely accused of serious offenses?
- What does the similarity between charges against Jesus, Stephen, and Paul teach about the cost of faithful witness?
Analysis & Commentary
The three accusations - teaching against 'the people, the law, and this place' (temple), plus bringing Greeks into the temple - represented the most inflammatory charges possible. Though false, they were calculated to incite mob violence. This parallels accusations against Jesus (Matthew 26:61) and Stephen (Acts 6:13), showing that faithful witnesses often face similar opposition to their Lord.