Acts 11:28

KJV

And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} there stood up {G450} one {G1520} of {G1537} them {G846} named {G3686} Agabus {G13}, and signified {G4591} by {G1223} the Spirit {G4151} that there should be {G3195}{G1510} great {G3173} dearth {G3042} throughout {G1909} all {G3650} the world {G3625}: which {G3748}{G2532} came to pass {G1096} in the days of {G1909} Claudius {G2804} Caesar {G2541}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and one of them named Agav stood up and through the Spirit predicted that there was going to be a severe famine throughout the Roman Empire. (It took place while Claudius was Emperor.)

Berean Standard Bible

One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.)

American Standard Version

And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 11:28 presents the prophetic ministry of Agabus within the burgeoning Christian community in Antioch, where he, empowered by the Holy Spirit, foretold a severe and widespread famine. This prophecy, which explicitly came to pass during the reign of Emperor Claudius, serves as a powerful testament to God's active involvement in human history, His sovereign control over natural events, and His divine communication to His people, preparing them for impending challenges and prompting a demonstration of practical Christian love and unity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 11:28 is situated at a pivotal point in the book of Acts, following the establishment of a vibrant and diverse Christian community in Antioch, a significant Gentile center. Barnabas and Saul (Paul) had been ministering there for a full year, teaching a large number of disciples, and it was in Antioch that believers were first called "Christians" ([Acts 11:26](/acts/11-26 "Acts 11:26 - Disciples First Called Christians")). The arrival of prophets from Jerusalem, including Agabus, indicates the ongoing spiritual vitality and interconnectedness of the early church. This specific prophecy immediately precedes the Antiochian believers' practical response of sending relief to the saints in Judea ([Acts 11:29-30](/acts/11-29-30 "Acts 11:29-30 - Antioch Sends Relief to Judea")), demonstrating the immediate impact and purpose of divine revelation. It sets the stage for the church's outward-looking mission and its internal solidarity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman Empire, at the time of this prophecy, was a vast and complex entity. Emperor Claudius reigned from 41 to 54 AD, a period marked by several documented famines across different regions of the empire. While "all the world" ([Acts 11:28](/acts/11-28 "Acts 11:28 - Agabus Prophesies Famine")) in biblical idiom often referred to the Roman Empire, historical records confirm widespread food shortages, particularly affecting areas like Judea, which were prone to agricultural instability. The practice of prophecy was well-established in both Jewish and early Christian traditions, where prophets served as God's spokespersons, delivering messages of warning, comfort, or guidance. The mention of "Claudius Caesar" provides a crucial historical anchor, validating the accuracy and fulfillment of Agabus's Spirit-inspired prediction within verifiable historical events.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **authenticity and authority of divine revelation**, demonstrating that God continues to speak through His chosen servants, confirming His active presence in the world. Secondly, it underscores **God's sovereignty and providence** over all creation and human affairs, including natural phenomena like famine. The fulfillment of the prophecy affirms that God is not a distant deity but one who orchestrates events according to His purposes. Thirdly, it emphasizes the **practicality and communal impact of prophecy**, as the warning prompted a tangible response of compassion and unity among believers, illustrating the early church's commitment to mutual aid and transcending geographical and ethnic divides, a theme echoed in passages like [Galatians 6:10](/galatians/6-10 "Galatians 6:10 - Do Good to All, Especially Believers"). Finally, it subtly reinforces the **growing maturity and organizational capacity of the early church**, as they collectively mobilized resources to assist their brothers and sisters in need.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **signified (Greek, _sēmaínō'_):** From G4591, meaning "to indicate." This word emphasizes that Agabus's communication was not a personal opinion or a mere guess, but a divinely given sign or indication of a future event. It points to the Holy Spirit as the source, making the prophecy an authoritative revelation rather than a human prediction.
* **dearth (Greek, _limós'_):** From G3042, meaning "a scarcity of food; famine, hunger." The use of this specific term highlights the severe nature of the impending crisis – a widespread and acute lack of provisions, directly impacting sustenance and survival. The addition of "great" (G3173, _mégas_) further intensifies the scale of the predicted famine.
* **world (Greek, _oikouménē'_):** From G3625, meaning "the inhabited earth," but specifically in this Roman context, referring to "the Roman empire." This term signifies the extensive geographical scope of the predicted famine, indicating that it would not be a localized event but would affect a significant portion of the known civilized world under Roman rule, underscoring the magnitude of the divine warning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there stood up one of them named Agabus,"**: This clause introduces the prophet Agabus, who is part of a group of prophets who had come down from Jerusalem. His action of "standing up" suggests a formal or public declaration, drawing attention to the importance of the message he was about to deliver to the assembled believers in Antioch.
* **"and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world:"**: This is the core of the prophecy. Agabus's message is explicitly attributed to the Holy Spirit ("by the Spirit"), establishing its divine origin and authority. He "signified" (indicated) that a "great dearth" (severe famine) was imminent, affecting "all the world" (the Roman Empire). This highlights the supernatural nature of the communication and the significant impact of the foretold event.
* **"which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar."**: This crucial concluding phrase confirms the historical fulfillment and accuracy of Agabus's prophecy. By anchoring the event to the reign of "Claudius Caesar" (41-54 AD), Luke provides undeniable evidence of God's foreknowledge and sovereign control over historical events, validating the prophetic word and reinforcing the trustworthiness of divine revelation.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several **Literary Devices** to enhance the impact and credibility of this passage. The primary device is **Prophecy**, where Agabus, as a divine mouthpiece, delivers a future-telling message from the Holy Spirit. This serves to establish God's active involvement in human affairs and His ability to reveal His plans. The subsequent confirmation that the prophecy "came to pass" acts as a powerful form of **Verification** or **Fulfillment**, lending historical authenticity and divine authority to the narrative. The specific mention of "Claudius Caesar" functions as a **Historical Anchor**, grounding the spiritual event in verifiable temporal reality, which was crucial for Luke's Gentile audience and for establishing the factual basis of early Christian history. This also subtly employs **Foreshadowing**, as the prophecy directly sets up the subsequent verses detailing the church's compassionate response to the impending crisis.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 11:28 profoundly illustrates the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the early church, not merely for spiritual empowerment but for practical guidance and preparation. It underscores God's meticulous providence, revealing His sovereign hand over both natural phenomena and the course of human history. The prophecy of Agabus was not an isolated incident but a divine warning designed to elicit a response of faith and action from the community. This passage affirms that God's revelation is purposeful, intended to equip His people to navigate challenges, demonstrate His character, and foster unity within the body of Christ. It highlights the principle that divine foreknowledge often precedes and enables human compassion and strategic action.

* [Deuteronomy 18:21-22](/deuteronomy/18-21-22 "Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - Testing a Prophet")
* [1 Corinthians 14:3](/1_corinthians/14-3 "1 Corinthians 14:3 - Purpose of Prophecy")
* [James 2:15-16](/james/2-15-16 "James 2:15-16 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 11:28 serves as a timeless reminder of God's active presence and benevolent oversight in the world, even amidst potential hardship. For believers today, this passage encourages a posture of spiritual attentiveness and responsiveness. Just as Agabus received a specific word from the Spirit, we are called to cultivate discernment, seeking God's wisdom and guidance through His Word, prayer, and the counsel of godly leaders. The immediate and generous response of the Antiochian church to the prophecy is a powerful example of practical Christian love and solidarity. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to God's truth and to translate our faith into tangible acts of compassion and support for those in need, both within and outside the church. In a world prone to various crises—economic, social, or natural—this verse compels us to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty while actively participating in His redemptive work through acts of generosity and service, preparing for and responding to challenges with faith-filled action.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Agabus's prophecy demonstrate the practical nature of God's communication with His people?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate spiritual discernment to recognize God's guidance in our lives today, even if not through direct prophecy of future events?**
* **How does the Antiochian church's response to the famine prophecy challenge our own understanding of Christian responsibility and generosity towards others?**
* **What does the historical fulfillment of this prophecy tell us about God's sovereignty over world events and our call to trust His providence?**

### FAQ

**Who was Agabus and what was his significance?**

Answer: Agabus was a prophet in the early Christian church, first introduced in [Acts 11:28](/acts/11-28 "Acts 11:28 - Agabus Prophesies Famine"). He is significant because he delivered a specific, Spirit-inspired prophecy of a widespread famine that would affect the Roman Empire, which subsequently came to pass. His ministry demonstrated the ongoing role of prophetic gifting in the early church for guidance and preparation. He later appears in [Acts 21:10-11](/acts/21-10-11 "Acts 21:10-11 - Agabus Prophesies Paul's Arrest") prophesying Paul's imprisonment in Jerusalem, further solidifying his role as a recognized and credible prophet.

**What was the "great dearth throughout all the world" and when did it occur?**

Answer: The "great dearth" refers to a severe and widespread famine, as prophesied by Agabus. The phrase "throughout all the world" (Greek _oikouménē_) in this context refers to the Roman Empire, indicating the extensive reach of the food shortage. Luke explicitly states that this famine "came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar," who reigned as Roman Emperor from 41 to 54 AD. Historical records corroborate that multiple famines occurred during Claudius's reign, particularly impacting regions like Judea and even Rome itself, confirming the accuracy of Agabus's prophecy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Agabus's prophecy of a great famine, and its subsequent fulfillment, points to Christ in several profound ways. Firstly, Jesus himself is the ultimate Prophet, the one through whom God speaks His final and most complete word ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). Agabus's Spirit-inspired foresight foreshadows Christ's own teachings about future events and His sovereign control over all creation, including natural disasters ([Matthew 24:7](/matthew/24-7 "Matthew 24:7 - Famines and Earthquakes")). Secondly, the response of the Antiochian believers to the famine—sending relief to their brethren in Judea—is a beautiful illustration of the Body of Christ functioning as Jesus intended. Christ taught His disciples to love one another sacrificially ([John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment")), and their practical generosity in the face of scarcity embodies the very compassion and provision that Jesus, the Bread of Life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), offers to a world spiritually hungry and in need. Ultimately, while earthly famines bring physical suffering, Christ provides eternal sustenance, satisfying the deepest hunger of the human soul and promising a future where there will be no more hunger or thirst ([Revelation 7:16](/revelation/7-16 "Revelation 7:16 - No More Hunger or Thirst")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 21:10

And as we tarried [there] many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

Acts 18:2

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

Luke 3:1

¶ Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

Luke 2:1

¶ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

1 Kings 17:1

¶ And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

1 Kings 17:16

[And] the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

2 Kings 8:1

¶ Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.