Agabus was a prophet mentioned in the New Testament who predicted future events. He is mentioned twice in the Book of Acts:
Agabus’ First Prophecy
The first time Agabus is mentioned is in Acts 11:27-28. These verses tell us:
And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
So the first time we meet Agabus, he predicts a severe famine that would impact the entire Roman world. This prophecy came true during the reign of Claudius Caesar (AD 41-54). The famine is also mentioned by ancient historians like Josephus, Tacitus, and Suetonius. This fulfillment gave credibility to Agabus as a true prophet.
Agabus’ Second Prophecy
The second mention of Agabus comes in Acts 21:10-11:
And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'”
Here, Agabus uses symbolic action (binding his own hands and feet with Paul’s belt) to predict that Paul would be bound and imprisoned if he continued his journey to Jerusalem. This prophecy also came true – when Paul went to Jerusalem he was mobbed in the temple, arrested, and taken into Roman custody (Acts 21:27-36).
Key Facts about Agabus
Here are some key facts we can gather about Agabus from these two accounts in Acts:
- He was a prophet who received direct revelations from the Holy Spirit about future events.
- His prophecies were accurate and came true just as he predicted.
- He likely moved around between Jerusalem and Antioch.
- He used symbolic actions as a visual aid when prophesying (binding himself with Paul’s belt).
- The early church believed his prophecies and responded accordingly.
Why Agabus’ Prophecies Matter
Agabus’ prophecies were important because:
- They authenticated him as a true prophet. The fact that his predictions came true exactly as stated showed he spoke for God.
- They guided the early church. Knowing about the famine motivated the Antioch church to send relief. Knowing about Paul’s imprisonment prepared them to support him.
- They reveal God’s sovereign control. The prophecies show how God knows and orchestrates the future for His purposes.
- They build faith. Fulfilled prophecy encourages believers to trust in God’s word and have confidence in biblical revelation.
Agabus in Church History
In the early post-biblical period, various legends and additional prophecies emerged around Agabus:
- He was said to be one of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus (Luke 10:1).
- An apocryphal prophecy said he would die by crucifixion in Antioch.
- Later traditions claim he drank a poisoned cup but was miraculously unharmed.
While these post-biblical traditions are interesting, Scripture gives us the reliable historical facts about Agabus. We see him as an influential prophet in the New Testament church who spoke God’s word accurately about future events.
Lessons We Can Learn from Agabus
Although we don’t have authoritative prophets today like Agabus, studying his life gives us some helpful applications:
- God is all-knowing. His ability to predict events shows His omniscience and sovereignty over history.
- God cares for His people. He didn’t just predict events, but gave advanced warning to help the church respond and trust Him through difficult circumstances.
- All true prophecy points to Christ. The way Agabus’ prophecies guided the apostles’ missions ultimately served to advance the gospel.
While Agabus only appears briefly in Acts, he serves as an example of how God spoke through prophets to bless the early church. His predictions guided the apostles, encouraged faith in God’s sovereignty, and demonstrated the Spirit’s power in revealing the future.
Agabus in Commentaries and Bible Dictionaries
Bible scholars throughout church history have commented on Agabus and his important role as a New Testament prophet. Here is a survey of some key thoughts:
- John Calvin: “God has appointed prophets to be His witnesses, that He may make manifest His power in their prophecies.” He notes how Agabus’ prophecies came true as predicted.
- Matthew Henry: Agabus “was a noted prophet among the Christians…his predictions were neither secret nor ambiguous, but public and express.”
- J.W. McGarvey: Agabus had the miraculous “gift of prophecy” given by the Spirit “to foretell future events for the benefit of the church.” His prophecies were “literally fulfilled.”
- Holman Bible Dictionary: Agabus is “one of the early Christian prophets who provided leadership in the Jerusalem church.” His prophecies proved true and guided the early believers.
- IVP Bible Dictionary: “Agabus played an important role in guiding the mission to the Gentiles.” His predictions were acted upon and verified by subsequent events in Acts.
As these examples illustrate, most biblical commentators view Agabus as a uniquely gifted prophet who spoke God’s truth to the early church and proved the divine source of his predictions through their fulfillment.
Agabus’ Ministry in Historical Context
Agabus carried out his prophetic ministry during a transitional time in biblical history. Understanding the historical context helps us better grasp his important role in the early church:
- He ministered in the days just after Christ’s ascension into heaven and sending of the Spirit at Pentecost.
- He was likely a Hellenistic Jew who became a believer after the scattering from Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 8:1, 11:19-21).
- His ministry coincided with the spread of Christianity beyond Palestine into Gentile lands.
- He traveled between Jerusalem and Antioch when both were key centers of the early church.
- His predictions prepared believers for challenges they would soon face.
This unique apostolic period was foundational to the church. Agabus’ prophetic gifts confirmed he spoke on behalf of God to give the early Christians needed guidance and encouragement during this critical stage of growth and transition for the faith.
Agabus Compared to Old Testament Prophets
Agabus stands out as unique among New Testament prophets. In some ways, his prophetic ministry mirrored that of the great prophets of the Old Testament:
- He received direct revelation from God about future events – like Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
- His predictions encouraged faith in God’s sovereignty over history and all circumstances.
- He frequently used symbolic actions when delivering his prophecies – as did Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
- His words strongly influenced the leaders and direction of God’s people, as with the Old Testament prophets.
Yet Agabus was also distinct in focusing on the advance of the gospel. His prophecies served to bless and guide the New Testament church during its critical early years, reminding believers of God’s faithful provision and sovereign control over all that unfolded in the growth of Christianity.
False Prophets Compared to Agabus
The New Testament warns frequently about false prophets who will infiltrate the church (Matt. 7:15; 24:11, 24; 1 John 4:1). But Agabus represents the attributes of a true prophet:
- He was grounded in Scripture – he knew and operated according to biblical revelation and messianic prophecy.
- He exalted Christ – his prophecies advanced gospel work and blessed God’s people in Christ.
- He was authenticated by miracles – his flawlessly accurate predictions verified his divine calling and gift.
- He submitted to authority – he delivered prophecies to the church and its leaders for discernment and guidance.
- He was motivated by love – he sought to use his gift to protect, prepare, and unite believers.
By these qualities, Agabus distinguished himself from false prophets and demonstrated the marks of a spokesperson truly called by God for the benefit of His church.
Agabus’ Prophecies Compared to New Testament Revelation
Agabus served a vital function during the era of the apostles before the completion of the New Testament canon. At the time Acts was written, only some of Paul’s letters and the four Gospels were likely in circulation. Agabus filled a critical role of bringing timely revelation to help apply biblical truth to the circumstances and challenges facing the early believers. Once the New Testament was complete, the church gained access to all the guidance it needed from Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The revelatory gifts like prophecy then faded away, having accomplished their purpose for the foundational apostolic period (1 Cor. 13:8-10).
The Purpose of Prophecy according to Agabus
The examples of Agabus help us understand God’s intended purpose for the New Testament gift of prophecy:
- To reveal God’s sovereign plan and vindicate His divine authority.
- To give timely guidance to God’s people when written Scripture was incomplete.
- To authenticate God’s spokespersons and establish truth in the early church.
- To encourage faith, obedience, and perseverance through difficult circumstances.
Studying Agabus provides helpful perspective on how prophecy served its purpose for a limited time during the apostolic establishment of the church until the completion of the written New Testament.
Applying Agabus’ Example as Prophets for Today
While the authoritative gift of prophecy is no longer active in the church today, Agabus provides an inspirational model for how believers can serve in spiritually prophetic roles now by:
- Exalting Christ through their words and actions.
- Staying grounded in Scripture and biblical truth.
- Submitting respectfully to spiritual authority.
- Displaying wisdom, integrity, and sound judgment.
- Speaking boldly against sin and moral compromise.
- Encouraging faithfulness to God’s word during times of spiritual decline.
- Calling people to repentance and reliance on God’s mercy.
As modern “prophets” following Agabus’ example, believers today can powerfully advance the cause of the gospel through Spirit-led words and deeds that align with God’s revealed truth for this age.
Overview of Agabus’ Importance
In summary, the prophet Agabus played a small but significant role in the New Testament church:
- He spoke God’s words to predict future events that came to pass.
- His prophecies guided the early church during a formative period.
- He demonstrated the marks of a true prophet called by God.
- He helped establish the authority of apostolic revelation.
- He encouraged faith in God’s sovereignty amidst trials.
This miraculous prophetic ministry authenticated the gospel message and supported the apostles’ establishment of Christianity leading up to the completion of the New Testament canon.