Acts 11:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Since the fruit of almsgiving also had to grow here, it was profitably arranged that Prophets came there.

But notice, I ask you, that here also none of the most renowned Apostles was a teacher. They had as teachers the Cypriots and Cyrenians, and Paul, though he surpassed them.

So too Paul had Barnabas and Ananias as teachers. Yet because of this he was in no way less than they. Moreover, he had Christ Himself as his teacher.

“Prophets.” In what sense, then, does Christ say, “The Law and the Prophets were until John” (Mt 11:13)? He is speaking of those Prophets who foretold His manifestation.

In those days Prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, foretold that there would be a great famine throughout the whole world. This came to pass under Caesar Claudius, in A.D. 44.

Do not be surprised when you hear in the Gospel that all the prophets prophesied until John the Baptist, and here that prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Do not think that the Gospel contradicts the Acts of the Apostles.

These Gospel words, "For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John" (Mt 11:13), refer to those prophets who foretold the coming of Christ. They prophesied from Adam even to John, and afterward ceased.

The prophets who appeared after the Nativity of Christ are those who foretold not Jesus Christ, but things that were to come.

The prophet Joel foretold this prophetic gift, saying: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy" (Joel 2:28).

From this time, frequent relations opened between the two chief Churches, Jerusalem and Antioch. Recognizing one another as brethren, the Christians helped one another with all zeal.

The Prophet Agabus came from Jerusalem to Antioch and began to foretell a famine. It especially threatened the poor Christians of Jerusalem. This famine occurred in Palestine around A.D. 44.

Then the Antiochian Christians considered it their duty to help the Church from which they had received the highest spiritual blessings. Of course, before the famine began, they sent monetary aid to the presbyters of the Church of Jerusalem through Paul and Barnabas.

It is remarkable and instructive that as soon as the Church among the Gentiles was founded in Antioch, a living and active unity and communion was established between this Church and the Churches among the Jews.

The mother of the Churches, the Church of Jerusalem, sends her teachers to Antioch. Christians from the Gentiles answer this zealous care of their brethren in Judea by helping them in their material needs.

In the present case, the author of Acts relates that in those days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, Agabus, foretold that a general famine would soon occur. This happened under Caesar Claudius.

The Antiochian Church was abundant not only in spiritual gifts, but also in material gifts, since among the newly converted there were not a few people of means. It soon proved its Christian spirit through generous charity toward needy brethren in Jerusalem.

Around this time a severe famine occurred, casting the Christians of Jerusalem into great need. To bring them out of this difficulty, the Antiochian Christians made a collection among themselves.

They sent Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem with this aid, and they delivered it to the suffering Christians. Having fulfilled this commission, they returned to Antioch, bringing with them the young John Mark, who resolved to follow them and assist them by his service.

Verse 27. "In those days," when Barnabas and Paul continued their activity in Antioch as teachers in the assemblies of the Church, prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Whether they came by their own prompting from the Spirit, were sent by the Christian community in Jerusalem, or had scattered from Jerusalem among others, is not stated.

Prophets: among the varied spiritual gifts with which the primitive Church of Christ was so richly endowed, some received in abundance the gift of prophecy in the strict sense. This was the gift of foretelling future events inaccessible to natural human knowledge (1 Cor 12:10).

The prophets who came from Jerusalem to Antioch possessed such a gift, as is clear from the prophecy of one of them, Agabus. This is the same Agabus who is mentioned again later (Acts 21:10).

The coming to Antioch of Christians endowed with the gift of prophecy (cf. 1 Cor 12:10) also contributed its share of influence upon the believers.

Barnabas and Saul were their teachers, or didaskaloi, of the faith. But the prophet Agabus (see Acts 21:10), by foretelling a great famine, thereby taught them to think about possible material help for Christians (cf. Isa 40-66).

The Apostle Barnabas had long been disposed to this, for he had sold his property and given it to the apostles for the help of those in need (see Acts 4:37).