This study investigated the inhibitory effects of bevacizumab monoclonal antibodies in combination with chemotherapy in different time sequences on a human gastric cancer cell line (MGC-803). Cultured MGC-803 human gastric cancer cells were treated with bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy treatment in different time sequences. The effects on cell growth inhibition were determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell cycle distribution and the rate of cell apoptosis were determined by propidium iodide staining followed by flow cytometry. Drug administration for different time sequences significantly inhibited the growth of MGC-803 cells. Based on group comparisons (P < 0.01), the effect of 24 h bevacizumab treatment prior to combination 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (FP) was the strongest (F = 241.313, 246.856, all P values < 0.001). Treating MGC-803 cells with bevacizumab for 24 h before combination FP induced significant G2/M phase arrest (F = 231.991, P < 0.001) and significantly increased gastric cancer cell apoptosis. Bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy significantly inhibits the proliferation of MGC-803 gastric cancer cells. The mechanism may be related to cell cycle arrest at S phase and the induction of apoptosis in MGC-803 gastric cancer cells.