Acts 11 28

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.

Acts 11:28 nkjv

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.

Acts 11:28 niv

One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)

Acts 11:28 esv

And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).

Acts 11:28 nlt

One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.)

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 28 Meaning

Acts 11:28 records that a prophet named Agabus, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, predicted a widespread and severe famine that would impact the entire Roman Empire during the reign of Claudius Caesar. This prophetic word subsequently proved true, validating both the divine source of the prophecy and the historical reliability of Luke's account.

Acts 11 28 Context

This verse is situated within a significant narrative of the burgeoning Christian movement. Acts 11 describes the early expansion of the Gospel beyond its Jewish roots in Jerusalem to the Gentile world, particularly through the establishment of a vibrant Christian community in Antioch. This Antichian church became a pivotal center for Gentile missions, prompting key figures like Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to teach there. The arrival of prophets from Jerusalem signifies the continuing connection and interaction between the mother church and its burgeoning Gentile outposts.

Historically, the period mentioned ("in the days of Claudius Caesar," AD 41-54) aligns with secular records, which document several famines within the Roman Empire during his reign. Notable historians such as Tacitus, Suetonius, and Josephus attest to these periods of scarcity, which affected various regions, including Judea and Rome itself. Luke's inclusion of this specific, verifiable historical detail not only roots the biblical narrative firmly in historical reality but also serves to confirm the divine authenticity of the prophecy. Prophets in the early church provided direct divine guidance, encouragement, and warnings, distinct from pagan divinations or human predictions.

Acts 11 28 Word analysis

• And there stood up (Ἀναστὰς - anastas): An aorist active participle, signifying a deliberate action of standing up. This verb choice suggests a purposeful and perhaps formal posture adopted by Agabus, emphasizing his public act of delivering a divine message within the gathering.

• one of them: Refers directly to "prophets from Jerusalem" who had come to Antioch (Acts 11:27). This establishes Agabus's credential and place within the recognized prophetic ministry of the early church. His position among these esteemed individuals adds weight to his utterance.

• named Agabus (Ἄγαβος - Agabos): An individual previously unmentioned but appearing later in Acts (21:10-11), where he delivers another predictive prophecy regarding Paul's arrest. His name, possibly derived from Hebrew roots (Hagab, related to "locust"), could metaphorically foreshadow judgment or a sweeping divine act, fitting his role in foretelling a famine.

• and signified (ἐσήμανεν - esēmanen): From sēmainō, meaning to give a sign, make known, indicate, or foretell. It suggests more than a simple announcement; it implies a divinely revealed message or omen. This word highlights the supernatural source and nature of the message, distinguishing it from mere human conjecture or observation.

• by the Spirit (διὰ τοῦ Πνεύματος - dia tou Pneumatos): This crucial phrase identifies the Holy Spirit as the direct source and power behind Agabus's prophecy. It explicitly declares the divine origin and authority of the message, removing any doubt about its inspiration. It aligns with the biblical understanding of genuine prophecy flowing from God's Spirit (1 Cor 12:4-11, 2 Pet 1:21).

• that there should be great dearth (μέγαν λιμὸν - megan limon): Limos means famine, hunger, or scarcity. Megas means great or severe. The prophecy concerns a widespread and devastating food shortage. Famines in the ancient world were often viewed as divine judgments or severe tests (Lev 26:18-20, Amos 8:11), and the magnitude ("great") underscores the severity and breadth of the impending crisis.

• throughout all the world (ἐφ᾽ ὅλην τὴν οἰκουμένην - eph holēn tēn oikoumenēn): Oikoumenē literally translates to "the inhabited earth" but, in the context of the New Testament and Roman historical writings, it predominantly refers to the Roman Empire (cf. Lk 2:1). This indicates a regional, expansive famine affecting a vast population, not just a localized scarcity, emphasizing the widespread impact of the divine warning.

• which came to pass (ἐγένετο - egeneto): This verb emphatically confirms the fulfillment of Agabus's prophecy. Luke, as a meticulous historian, verifies the predictive accuracy, reinforcing the trustworthiness of the prophetic gift within the early church and validating his own narrative account. This phrase provides strong evidence of the divine hand at work.

• in the days of Claudius Caesar (Κλαυδίου Καίσαρος - Klaudiou Kaisaros): Specifies the reign of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, Emperor from AD 41-54. This precise historical reference grounds the prophecy in a verifiable timeline. Historical sources corroborate the occurrence of multiple severe famines across the Roman Empire during Claudius' tenure, affirming Luke's meticulous detail and the veracity of Agabus's prediction.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit": This grouping clearly distinguishes the prophet (Agabus) as the instrument and the Holy Spirit as the true source of the divine communication. It underlines the authenticity of the message as emanating from God Himself, conveyed through a chosen human vessel, lending unquestionable authority to the word.
  • "great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass": This phrase succinctly captures both the expansive scope of the prophecy (affecting the entire Roman world) and its undeniable historical fulfillment. It serves to underscore the prophetic reliability, highlighting that God's foreknowledge and declaration of future events are precise and accurate, confirming the truth of biblical prophecy.

Acts 11 28 Bonus section

• Luke's Historiographical Precision: Acts 11:28 is a hallmark of Luke's commitment to historical accuracy. His inclusion of verifiable details, such as "Claudius Caesar," contrasts sharply with mythical accounts of the time. This specific dating allows for external corroboration, strengthening the historical foundation of the entire Book of Acts and affirming the reliability of the New Testament narrative.
• The Practicality of Prophecy: This verse demonstrates that biblical prophecy is not merely about foretelling the future but has immediate, practical implications for the community of faith. Agabus's prophecy directly moved the believers to sacrificial action (preparing aid), illustrating that divine revelation is often intended to evoke a response that fosters compassion and unity within the Body of Christ.
• Bridge Between Gentile and Jewish Believers: The fulfillment of this prophecy prompted a critical act of solidarity: the Gentile church in Antioch providing relief for the Jewish saints in Judea. This act of mercy, rooted in a divine warning, became a significant bridge, showcasing the nascent unity of the church across cultural and ethnic divides, demonstrating that Christian charity transcends previous societal barriers.

Acts 11 28 Commentary

Acts 11:28 stands as a profound illustration of divine providence and the active presence of the Holy Spirit in the early church. Agabus, as an anointed prophet, delivered a specific and critical warning of an impending, empire-wide famine, rather than a generalized spiritual platitude. The explicit declaration that he "signified by the Spirit" clarifies the divine authorship, separating this prophecy from human conjecture or pagan divination, establishing it as an authoritative word from God. Luke's inclusion of the precise historical anchor—"in the days of Claudius Caesar"—not only reinforces his reputation as a meticulous historian (corroborated by secular accounts of famines in that era) but also serves to undeniably authenticate the prophecy for his readers. This prophetic word was not given for mere information but for activation, galvanizing the Gentile believers in Antioch to proactively gather aid for their Jewish brethren in Jerusalem (Acts 11:29-30). This episode beautifully encapsulates how genuine, Spirit-led prophecy serves to guide the church, promote unity, and practically demonstrate Christian love in response to impending hardship.