Who was Agabus in the Bible?

TL;DR:

Agabus was a true prophet who declared truth to Paul, even though it was unfavorable.

Agabus was a true prophet who prophesied about a famine and about suffering that would come to Paul. He faithfully shared what God had shown him, even when that message was unfavorable. In both cases, Agabus’s prophecy helped Paul prepare for the realities that lay ahead. Biblically, prophets have a responsibility to speak what the Lord commands, and the people have a responsibility to heed those messages (Deuteronomy 18:18-22) or face the consequences. Agabus faithfully heard and proclaimed the words from the Lord, and Paul faithfully and humbly heard and received the words from the Lord.

from the old testament

Agabus is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

At the beginning of Paul's ministry, Paul and Barnabas preached and taught for a year in Antioch, where the gospel was shared with both Jews and Gentiles. At some point during that year, several prophets from Jerusalem came to Antioch, one of whom was Agabus (Acts 11:27–28).
Through the influence of the Holy Spirit, Agabus prophesied a severe famine coming to the Roman Empire (Acts 11:28). In response to this prophecy, the Christians in Antioch sent monetary support to the believers in Judea by sending Paul and Barnabas with a gift to the elders in Jerusalem (Acts 11:29–30). This generosity was an important show of unity between the Gentile believers in Antioch and the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. Agabus's prophecy came true during the reign of Claudius, proving him to be a true prophet of God (Acts 11:28; Deuteronomy 18:21–22).
After Paul's missionary journeys, he felt "constrained by the Spirit" to return to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22). He stopped in Caesarea at Philip's house on his way to Jerusalem. Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:9). Agabus traveled from Judea to where Paul was and spoke the word of the Lord (Acts 21:10): "And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, 'Thus says the Holy Spirit, "This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles"'" (Acts 21:11).
With this prophecy from Agabus, Paul could now prepare for what he would face in Jerusalem. Indeed, about a week after Paul's arrival in Jerusalem, he was attacked by unbelieving Jews in a city-wide uproar; the Roman soldiers who stopped the riot arrested Paul and bound him with two chains (Acts 21:27–33). Once again, Agabus's prophecy proved to be accurate.

implications for today

Agabus faithfully shared the truth, even when the message was unfavorable. Both times, Agabus’s prophecy helped Paul prepare for the realities that lay ahead of him. Prophecy is proclaiming the truth, not just foretelling. Whenever a person claims to be speaking for God, the key is to compare what is said with what the Bible says. Whatever a person says must be in complete agreement with what God has already said in the Bible. First John 4:1 instructs, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:20–21 says, “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” If someone claiming to speak God's truth contradicts the Bible, do not listen. If their words are in line with biblical truth, seek wisdom and discernment for if and how God might be calling you to apply it (2 Timothy 3:16–17; James 1:5).

Believers are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to be faithful to the Lord and proclaim the truth, not fearing people (Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4). The people who hear the message have a responsibility to compare it to God’s Word and to heed those messages. Agabus faithfully proclaimed the truth, and so must we.

understand

Agabus faithfully proclaimed what God had revealed to him about the famine, and the church was able to prepare and provide for other believers before it came. Agabus faithfully proclaimed what God had revealed to him about Paul being bound, and it prepared Paul for what was ahead.
We are to test people’s claims with the truth of God’s Word.
Our job is to faithfully proclaim the truth. Truth demands a response, and it is up to the hearers to respond.

reflect

What do Agabus’s actions reveal about his trust in God?
How did the people who heard Agabus’s prophecy respond, and how did the truth impact them?
What sets apart true prophets from false ones?

engage

Why are so many people hesitant to proclaim the truth?
Truth comes from God and can stand being tested. We must test what we hear, read, or see to determine if it is true.
Many people believe that prophets still exist today, but prophecy can be both foretelling (proclaiming new revelation from God) and forthtelling (simply proclaiming truth). How can we tell if a message is from God and something we should heed?