Agabus was a highly respected prophet in the early Christian church, whose name appears in the Book of Acts as the bearer of two distinct and historically accurate prophecies. His ministry demonstrates the active and guiding presence of the Holy Ghost in the foundational years of the church, preparing believers for both physical hardship and personal sacrifice.
The Prophet of the Great Dearth
Agabus is first introduced during a time of expansion for the Church, when Barnabas and Saul (Paul) were ministering in Antioch. Agabus traveled to Antioch as part of a group of prophets from Jerusalem. His initial prophecy was one of warning, intended to spur the church to action and charity:
“And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 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 Cæsar.” (Acts 11:27-28, KJV)
The prophecy of a widespread famine, or “great dearth,” was proven true during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius. The immediate effect of this divine foreknowledge was the practical love and generosity of the Gentile believers in Antioch, who gathered relief funds to send to the impoverished saints in Judea. This act of foresight and benevolence solidified the bond between the newly established Gentile churches and the original Jewish Christian community.
The Prophecy of Paul’s Bonds
Years later, Agabus is again recorded as a figure of great prophetic authority, this time delivering a dire and dramatic warning to the Apostle Paul in Caesarea. Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, despite being warned by the Holy Ghost in every city of the troubles awaiting him. Agabus then used a powerful symbolic action reminiscent of the prophets of the Old Testament:
“And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” (Acts 21:10-11, KJV)
The prophecy was specific and powerful. The Jews would bind Paul and deliver him to the Roman authorities (the Gentiles). Upon hearing this, Paul’s companions and the local believers begged him not to go to Jerusalem. Paul’s resolute response highlights the true purpose of the prophecy: not to prevent his suffering, but to confirm the divine path he was on and to strengthen his resolve:
“Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:13-14, KJV)
The prophecy was fulfilled shortly thereafter in Jerusalem, establishing Agabus as a faithful and true mouthpiece for God.
The Return Question
Agabus’s role as a prophet who foretold future events—a famine and a specific act of binding—serves as a model for the absolute certainty of biblical prophecy. His warnings came to pass with historical precision, validating the source as the Holy Ghost. This unwavering accuracy provides a powerful foundation for the unwavering belief in the prophecies concerning the Lord’s Return. Just as Agabus’s words, however dramatic, came true in the days of Claudius and in the arrest of Paul, so shall every prophecy concerning the second advent of Christ—the “great and terrible day of the Lord”—be fulfilled to the letter. His ministry reminds believers to heed the warnings of coming trials and, like the early church, to prepare practically and respond with resolute faith to the divine will.
Prophetic Hotspot: The Function of New Testament Prophets
Agabus’s ministry exemplifies the function of a New Testament prophet:
- Forecasting Events: To reveal a future event (dearth), enabling the church to prepare and respond with charity.
- Confirming Divine Will: To visually and specifically confirm a personal course of action (Paul’s journey), strengthening the individual’s resolve and preparing the community for the inevitable.
- Speaking by the Spirit: His pronouncements were consistently prefaced with the authority of God (“signified by the Spirit” and “Thus saith the Holy Ghost”), authenticating his message.