Acts 11:28
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀναστὰς
there stood up
G450
ἀναστὰς
there stood up
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
1 of 25
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
ἐξ
of
G1537
ἐξ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
4 of 25
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὀνόματι
named
G3686
ὀνόματι
named
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
6 of 25
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
9 of 25
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματος
the Spirit
G4151
πνεύματος
the Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
11 of 25
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
μέγαν
great
G3173
μέγαν
great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
13 of 25
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
μέλλειν
that there should be
G3195
μέλλειν
that there should be
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
14 of 25
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
ἐπὶ
in the days of
G1909
ἐπὶ
in the days of
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
16 of 25
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ὅλην
all
G3650
ὅλην
all
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
17 of 25
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκουμένην
the world
G3625
οἰκουμένην
the world
Strong's:
G3625
Word #:
19 of 25
land, i.e., the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the roman empire
καὶ
G2532
καὶ
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
22 of 25
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἐπὶ
in the days of
G1909
ἐπὶ
in the days of
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
23 of 25
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Cross References
Acts 21:10And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.Acts 18:2And 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 2:1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.Luke 3:1Now 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,
Historical Context
Agabus (reappears in Acts 21:10) exercised New Testament prophetic ministry. Great dearth (famine) occurred approximately 46-48 CE during Claudius's reign (41-54 CE). Historical sources (Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius) confirm multiple famines during this period. Throughout all world means Roman Empire. The fulfilled prophecy validated Agabus's gift while prompting church's charitable response across ethnic lines—Gentile Christians helping Jewish believers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does New Testament prophecy function in church life?
- What role does fulfilled prophecy play in validating spiritual gifts?
- In what ways should prophetic warnings prompt practical preparation?
- How does cross-ethnic charity demonstrate gospel's reconciling power?
- What distinguishes genuine prophecy from false predictions?
Analysis & Commentary
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. Agabus's prophecy and its fulfillment demonstrate continuing prophetic ministry while establishing historical context for church's relief efforts.