Barnabas Βαρνάβας
A Levite from Cyprus who accompanied Paul on missionary journeys.
Who is Barnabas in the Bible?
Barnabas, originally named Joseph or Joses, was a Levite from Cyprus who became a prominent figure in the early church (Acts 4:36). He demonstrated his devotion by selling his property and giving the proceeds to the apostles, and he played a crucial role in vouching for the newly converted Paul before the skeptical Jerusalem church (Acts 9:27). Sent by the church to Antioch, Barnabas encouraged believers there and brought Paul to join him in ministry (Acts 11:22-26). Together, Barnabas and Paul were commissioned by the Holy Spirit to undertake missionary journeys, preaching the gospel and establishing churches throughout the Mediterranean region (Acts 13:2). His name, meaning "son of exhortation" or "son of consolation," reflects his significance as an encourager and bridge-builder who helped integrate Paul into apostolic ministry and advance the early church's mission.
Biography
Barnabas, whose original name was Joseph or Joses, was a prominent figure in the early Christian church. He was a Levite from the island of Cyprus (Act.4.36) who sold his land and brought the money to the apostles, demonstrating his generosity and commitment to the faith. Barnabas played a crucial role in introducing the newly converted Paul to the apostles in Jerusalem, vouching for his sincerity (Act.9.27). The church in Jerusalem later sent Barnabas to Antioch, where he encouraged the believers and brought Paul to minister there (Act.11.22-26). Barnabas and Paul were then commissioned by the Holy Spirit to embark on a missionary journey (Act.13.2), during which they preached the gospel and established churches in various cities. Barnabas was also involved in the dispute concerning the acceptance of Gentile believers and accompanied Paul to the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). He later separated from Paul due to a disagreement over taking Mark on another journey (Act.15.36-39). Barnabas continued his ministry with Mark, while Paul chose Silas as his new companion. In the New Testament epistles, Barnabas is mentioned as a fellow laborer and an example of one who worked for the gospel without relying on financial support from the churches (1Co.9.6). He was recognized as a pillar of the church alongside James and Peter (Gal.2.9). Barnabas' ministry was characterized by encouragement, generosity, and a commitment to spreading the gospel message.
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In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 4 with study contentActs 5 verses
- Acts 4:36
"Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),"
Study Acts → - Acts 9:27
"Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus."
Study Acts → - Acts 11:22
"When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch."
Study Acts → - Acts 11:25
"Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,"
Study Acts → - Acts 11:30
"This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul."
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1 Corinthians 1 verse
- 1 Corinthians 9:6
"Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?"
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Galatians 3 verses
- Galatians 2:1
"Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also."
Study Galatians → - Galatians 2:9
"And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised."
Study Galatians → - Galatians 2:13
"The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray."
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Colossians 1 verse
- Colossians 4:10
"My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him."
Study Colossians →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Βαρνάβας | Barnábas | son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy); Barnabas, an Israelite |
| Named | Greek | Ἰωσήφ | Iōsḗph | Joseph, the name of seven Israelites |
| (same ref[s] as previous) | Greek | Ἰωσῆς | — | — |
Barnabas
testimony to his eloquence. Its literal meaning is "son of prophecy" (bar, "son"; nebhu'ah, "prophecy"). Compare word for prophet in Ge 20:7; De 18:15,18, etc. This is interpreted in Ac 4:36 as "son of exhortation" the Revised Version (British and American), or "son of consolation" the King James Version, expressing two sides of the Greek paraklesis, that are not exclusive. The office of a prophet being more than to foretell, all these interpretations are admissible in estimating Barnabas as a preacher. Deismann (Bibelstudien, 175-78) considers Barnabas the Jewish Grecized form of Barnebous, a personal Semitic name recently discovered in Asia Minor inscriptions, and meaning "son of Nebo" (Standard Bible Dictionary in the place cited.).
He was a Levite from the island of Cyprus, and cousin, not "nephew" (the King James Version), of the evangelist Mark, the word anepsios (Col 4:10), being used in Nu 36:11, for "father's brothers' sons." When we first learn of him, he had removed to Jerusalem, and acquired property there. He sold "a field," and contributed its price to the support of the poorer members of the church (Ac 4:36 ff). In Ac 11:24 he is described as "a good man and full of the Holy Spirit" (compare Isa 11:2; 1Co 12:8,11) "and of faith," traits that gave him influence and leadership. Possibly on the ground of former acquaintanceship, interceding as Paul's sponsor and surety, he removed the distrust of the disciples at Jerusalem and secured the admission of the former persecutor into their fellowship. When the preaching of some of the countrymen of Barnabas had begun a movement toward Christianity among the Greeks at Antioch, Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to give it encouragement and direction, and, after a personal visit, recognizing its importance and needs, sought out Paul at Tarsus, and brought him back as his associate. At the close of a year's successful work, Barnabas and Paul were sent to Jerusalem with contributions from the infant church for the famine sufferers in the older congregation (Ac 11:30). Ordained as missionaries on their return (Ac 13:3), and accompanied by John Mark, they proceeded upon what is ordinarily known as the "First Missionary Journey" of Paul (Ac 13:4,5). Its history belongs to Paul's life. Barnabas as well as Paul is designated "an apostle" (Ac 14:14). Up to Ac 13:43, the precedency is constantly ascribed to Barnabas; from that point, except in 14:14 and 15:12,25, we read "Paul and Barnabas," instead of "Barnabas and Saul." The latter becomes the chief spokesman. The people at Lystra named Paul, because of his fervid oratory, Mercurius, while the quiet dignity and reserved strength of Barnabas gave him the title of Jupiter (Ac 14:12). Barnabas escaped the violence which Paul suffered at Iconium (Ac 14:19).
Upon their return from this first missionary tour, they were sent, with other representatives of the church at Antioch, to confer with the apostles and elders of the church at Jerusalem concerning the obligation of circumcision and the ceremonial law in general under the New Testament--the synod of Jerusalem. A separation from Paul seems to begin with a temporary yielding of Barnabas in favor of the inconsistent course of Peter (Ga 2:13). This was followed by a more serious rupture concerning Mark. On the second journey, Paul proceeded alone, while Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus. Luther and Calvin regard 2Co 8:18,19 as meaning Barnabas by "the brother whose praise is spread through all the churches," and indicating, therefore, subsequent joint work. The incidental allusions in 1Co 9:6 and Ga 2:13 ("even Barnabas") show at any rate Paul's continued appreciation of his former associate. Like Paul, he accepted no support from those to whom he ministered.
Tertullian, followed in recent years by Grau and Zahn, regard him as the author of the Epistle to the He. The document published among patristic writings as the Epistle of Barnabas, and found in full in the Codex Sinaiticus, is universally assigned today to a later period. "The writer nowhere claims to be the apostle Barnabas; possibly its author was some unknown namesake of 'the son of consolation' " (Lightfoot, Apostolic Fathers, 239 f).
H. E. Jacobs
See APOCRYPHAL EPISTLES.
See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
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