Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 21:28

"crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath defiled this holy place." — Acts 21:28 (ASV)

Men of Israel. Jews. All who are friends of the Law of Moses.

This is the man, and so on. This implies that they had previously given information to the Jews at Jerusalem that such a man existed, and they now rejoiced that they had found him. Therefore, they called on all these people to help in capturing and punishing him.

That teaches, and so on. (See Barnes on Acts 6:13 and Acts 6:14).

Against the people. This refers to the Jewish people. That is, they pretended that he taught that the customs and laws of the Jewish nation were not binding, and he endeavored to prejudice all people against them.

And the law. This refers to the Law of Moses.

And this place. This refers to the temple. Anything against the Law would also be interpreted as being against the temple, as most of the Law’s commandments were observed there. It is also possible that Paul might have declared that the temple was to be destroyed. .

And further, brought Greeks, and so on. The temple was surrounded by various areas called courts. (See Barnes on Matthew 21:12).

The outermost of these courts was called the Court of the Gentiles, and Gentiles were permitted to enter it.

However, the word "temple" here undoubtedly refers to the parts of the area specifically designated for the Israelites, which a Gentile was forbidden to enter. (This refers to the area marked G G G G in the plan of the temple; see Barnes on Matthew 21:12).

And has polluted, and so on. He defiled the temple by introducing a Gentile in this way. In their view, hardly any greater defilement could be imagined. No more effective appeal could have been made to the people’s emotions than this.