The Predictions of the prophet Agabus to Saint Paul

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Agabus

Agabus, a resident of Jerusalem and a disciple of Jesus, is sent to preach by Him. In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke considers Agabus a prophet. He recounts that Agabus, who came from Jerusalem to Antioch, predicted a great famine that occurred during the reign of Claudius (Chapter 11, Verse 28). In Chapter 21, he describes the circumstances under which the prophet foretells Paul’s death and Paul’s response.

Saint Paul

Born Saul of Tarsus, Paul converted to Christianity and preached in Syria around 40 AD. He later settled in Corinth before returning to Jerusalem in 60 AD, where he was arrested. Transferred to Rome, he lived there in semi-freedom and was eventually beheaded in 67 AD on the road to Ostia. His writings significantly influenced the Gospel of Luke.

In the Scriptures

“We went to Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist. […] After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, ‘The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’’ When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’” (Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 21, Verses 8 to 13)

The Painting

Agabus, seated at the center of the composition, raises his right arm towards the dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. He predicts Paul’s future martyrdom. Paul, situated to the left, is surrounded by four disciples, one of whom laments at his feet. Despite this, Paul’s demeanor is peaceful, with open arms signifying acceptance. This gesture interprets the text of Saint Luke, “I am ready.” Paul points with his left hand to the belt tied to Agabus’s foot, indicating his readiness to die a martyr. On the right, a group of women express their emotions upon hearing the prophecy. The composition is clear and readable, with the artist emphasizing Saint Paul as the primary figure by dressing him in red, the color of cardinals and martyrs’ blood.

Louis Chéron (1660-1725)

Louis Chéron, a Parisian painter, was twice honored with the Prix de Rome in painting. In Rome, he studied Raphael and Italian Mannerism. Raphael’s influence is evident in the classical architecture in the background and the monumentality of the figures with their ample drapery, similar to those seen in the Vatican Chambers. Mannerism is expressed through the acidic and dark colors on the right side of the composition. Chéron was twenty-seven when he completed this commission. His May was placed in the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, though it enjoyed only brief success. As a Protestant, Chéron was eventually exiled to London, where he gained significant renown. He was buried at St. Paul’s Church in Covent Garden.

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