Agabus | |
|---|---|
 Agabusc. 1690 byMarc Arcis | |
| Prophet, Disciple, & Martyr | |
| Born | 1st century AD Antioch,Province of Syria,Roman Empire |
| Died | unknown Antioch |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Church of England |
| Feast | February 13(Catholic) March 8(Eastern Orthodox) |
| Patronage | prophets |
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Agabus (/ˈæɡəbəs/;Greek:Ἄγαβος,romanized: Hágabos;Syriac:ܚܓܒ,romanized: Ḥagabo) was an early follower ofChristianity fromSyria mentioned in theActs of the Apostles as aprophet. He is traditionally remembered as one of theSeventy Disciples described inLuke 10 (10:1–24).
The name Agabus derived from theAramaicḤagab, meaning "Grasshopper", which may have been anickname orpseudonym.
According to extrabiblical tradition, Agabus appears to have been a resident ofJerusalem. He is said to have been one of the seventy two disciples, mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, commissioned to preach the gospel.[1] It is said that Agabus was with the twelve apostles in the upper room on the day ofPentecost.[2]
According toActs11:27–28, he was one of a group ofprophets who travelled fromJerusalem toAntioch. The author reports that Agabus had received the gift of prophecy and predicted a severefamine, which occurred during the reign of the emperorClaudius.[3]
Also, according to Acts21:10–12, 'a certain prophet', (Greek:τις) named Agabus metPaul the Apostle atCaesarea Maritima in AD 58. He was, according to theJamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, 'no doubt the same' Agabus as had been mentioned inActs 11:27–28,[4] andHeinrich Meyer states that 'there is no reason against the assumed identity of this person with the one mentioned in Acts 11:28.[5] Agabus warned Paul of his coming capture; he bound his own hands and feet with Paul's belt to demonstrate what would happen if he continued his journey to Jerusalem, stating the message of theHoly Spirit:
So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Paul, however, would not be persuaded to stay away.[3]
Agabus' symbolic action has been compared[6] with the Jewish prophetJeremiah:
Thus the LORD said to me, "Go and buy yourself a linen waistband and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water." So I bought the waistband in accordance with the word of the LORD and put it around my waist ... For as a belt is bound around the waist, so I bound all the people of Israel and all the people of Judah to me,' declares the LORD, 'to be my people for my renown and praise and honor.[7]
Tradition says that Agabas went to many countries, teaching and converting many. This moved the Jews of Jerusalem to arrest him, and they tortured him by beating him severely, and putting a rope around his neck. He was dragged outside the city and stoned to death.[2]Jesuit theologianAnthony Maas says he was martyred at Antioch.[3]
TheCatholic Church'sGeneral Roman Calendar lists hisfeast day on February 13, whileEastern Christians celebrate it on March 8.[3]
