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.

People's New Testament

11:28 Agabus. Also named in Ac 21:10. He had the prophetic gift.

Throughout all the world. This expression in the Scriptures often means the Jewish world.

In the days of Claudius Caesar. Josephus ( Antiq. 20:2,6) describes a great famine that prevailed in Palestine in the reign of Claudius Caesar, beginning about the close of A.D. 44, and lasting three or four years. Food had to be imported by the benevolent persons from Egypt and Cyprus, yet many perished.

Wesley's Notes

11:28 Agabus rising up - In the congregation. All the world - The word frequently signifies all the Roman empire. And so it is doubtless to be taken here.

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin world

"oikoumene" = "inhabited earth." See Scofield Note: "Lk 2:1".

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

28. that there should be great dearth throughout all the world-the whole Roman empire.

which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar-Four famines occurred during his reign. This one in Judea and the adjacent countries took place, A.D. 41 [Josephus, Antiquities, 20.2,5]. An important date for tracing out the chronology of the Acts. (But this subject is too difficult and extensive to admit of being handled here).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

11:25-30 Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is, learners, scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a follower of Christ; it denotes one who, from serious thought, embraces the religion of Christ, believes his promises, and makes it his chief care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example. Hence it is plain that multitudes take the name of Christian to whom it does not rightly belong. But the name without the reality will only add to our guilt. While the bare profession will bestow neither profit nor delight, the possession of it will give both the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Grant, Lord, that Christians may forget other names and distinctions, and love one another as the followers of Christ ought to do. True Christians will feel for their brethren under afflictions. Thus will fruit be brought forth to the praise and glory of God. If all mankind were true Christians, how cheerfully would they help one another! The whole earth would be like one large family, every member of which would strive to be dutiful and kind.