A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 24:12

"and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city." — Acts 24:12 (ASV)

Disputing (διαλεγομενον). Simply conversing, discussing, arguing, and then disputing, common verb in old Greek and in N.T. (especially in Acts).

Stirring up a crowd (επιστασιν ποιουντα οχλου). Επιστασις is a late word from εφιστημ, to make an onset or rush. Only twice in the N.T., 2 Corinthians 11:28 (the pressure or care of the churches) and here (making a rush of a crowd). The papyri give examples also for "onset." So Paul denies the two charges that were serious and the only one that concerned Roman law (insurrection).