King James Version

What Does Acts 21:28 Mean?

Acts 21:28 in the King James Version says “Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and... — study this verse from Acts chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 21:28 · KJV


Context

26

Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

27

And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

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.

29

(For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30

And all the city was moved, and the people ran together : and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you maintain integrity when falsely accused of serious offenses?
  2. What does the similarity between charges against Jesus, Stephen, and Paul teach about the cost of faithful witness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 36 words
κράζοντες1 of 36

Crying out

G2896

properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)

Ἄνδρες2 of 36

Men

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

Ἰσραηλῖται3 of 36

of Israel

G2475

an "israelite", i.e., descendant of israel (literally or figuratively)

βοηθεῖτε·4 of 36

help

G997

to aid or relieve

οὗτός5 of 36

This

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἐστιν6 of 36

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

7 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνθρωπος8 of 36

the man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

9 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κατὰ10 of 36

against

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τοῦ11 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαοῦ12 of 36

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

καὶ13 of 36

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦ14 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νόμου15 of 36

the law

G3551

law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat

καὶ16 of 36

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦ17 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τόπον18 of 36

place

G5117

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

τούτου19 of 36

this

G5127

of (from or concerning) this (person or thing)

πάντας20 of 36

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

πανταχοῦ21 of 36

men every where

G3837

universally

διδάσκων22 of 36

that teacheth

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

ἔτι23 of 36

further

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

τε24 of 36

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

καὶ25 of 36

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἕλληνας26 of 36

Greeks

G1672

a hellen (grecian) or inhabitant of hellas; by extension a greek-speaking person, especially a non-jew

εἰσήγαγεν27 of 36

brought

G1521

to introduce (literally or figuratively)

εἰς28 of 36

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ29 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἱερὸν30 of 36

the temple

G2411

a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)

καὶ31 of 36

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κεκοίνωκεν32 of 36

hath polluted

G2840

to make (or consider) profane (ceremonially)

τὸν33 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἅγιον34 of 36

holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

τόπον35 of 36

place

G5117

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

τοῦτον36 of 36

this

G5126

this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 21:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 21:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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