PERSON · APOSTLE

Barnabas

Barnabas is designated an apostle in Acts 14:14 and played a pivotal role in integrating Paul into both the Jerusalem church and the Antioch church. He co-led the first recorded Gentile missionary journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor (Acts 13–14) and was a principal delegate to the Jerusalem Council, where the question of Gentile circumcision was debated (Acts 15:2–4). He is identified as a cousin of John Mark in Colossians 4:10.

Acts 11:22–30

Ministry: First century AD, post-resurrection apostolic period

The Story

Before the great missionary journeys, before the councils and the controversies, before Paul's letters shaped the theology of a thousand generations — there was a man who made room for people others would not touch. His birth name was Joseph, a Levite from the island of Cyprus, but the apostles in Jerusalem gave him another name, the one history would keep: Barnabas.

³⁶And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Acts 4:36·KJV

That name, translated in Acts as "son of consolation," tells you almost everything you need to know about how this man moved through the world.

The early church in Jerusalem was a community still learning what it meant to share everything. Into that learning, Barnabas stepped without hesitation. He sold a field he owned and brought the entire proceeds to the apostles, laying it at their feet.

³⁷Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 4:37·KJV

Luke does not tell us why Barnabas owned land in Jerusalem when he was a Cypriot Levite — the text leaves us to wonder at the details — but the act itself is plain: he gave what he had, freely and publicly, in the first flowering of the common life of the church.

Years later, when a former persecutor arrived in Jerusalem claiming to be a new man, the disciples were not convinced. Saul of Tarsus had a reputation that preceded him and terrified everyone who heard it. Scripture records that "they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple." It was Barnabas who stepped forward into that fear. He took Paul — Luke calls him Saul at this point — and brought him to the apostles, and testified on his behalf: that Paul had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and that he had preached boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus.

²⁷But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Acts 9:27·KJV

Without that intervention, one senses that Paul's integration into the Jerusalem church might have stalled entirely, with consequences no one can calculate. Barnabas did not weigh the risk carefully before speaking. He simply bore witness to what God had clearly done.

Life & Legacy

Death

Tradition

Scripture does not record the death of Barnabas. Tradition holds that he was martyred at Salamis in Cyprus, stoned by a Jewish mob.

Acts of Barnabas (extra-canonical tradition)

Legacy

Scripture

Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus whose birth name was Joseph; the apostles renamed him Barnabas, meaning 'son of encouragement' (Acts 4:36). He sold a field and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:37), and he vouched for Paul before the Jerusalem disciples when others feared him (Acts 9:27). He subsequently undertook the first missionary journey with Paul and later continued mission work with John Mark after parting from Paul (Acts 15:39).

Acts 4:36–37; Acts 9:27; Acts 15:39

Character

Scripture

Barnabas was described by the Jerusalem church as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24). He sought out Paul in Tarsus and brought him to Antioch to minister there for a year (Acts 11:25–26), and he was named alongside Paul as a prophet and teacher in the Antioch church (Acts 13:1). Paul later noted that Barnabas, like himself, worked with his own hands to support his ministry (1 Corinthians 9:6).

Acts 11:24–26; Acts 13:1; 1 Corinthians 9:6

Significance

Scripture

Acts 14:14; Acts 13:4–14:28; Acts 15:2–4; Colossians 4:10

DeathTradition

Scripture does not record the death of Barnabas. Tradition holds that he was martyred at Salamis in Cyprus, stoned by a Jewish mob.

Acts of Barnabas (extra-canonical tradition)

LegacyScripture

Acts 4:36–37; Acts 9:27; Acts 15:39

CharacterScripture

Acts 11:24–26; Acts 13:1; 1 Corinthians 9:6

SignificanceScripture

Acts 14:14; Acts 13:4–14:28; Acts 15:2–4; Colossians 4:10

Roles

ApostleDisciple

In Scripture

Acts 11:22–30key

²²Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. ²³Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. ²⁴For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. ²⁵Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: ²⁶And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. ²⁷And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. … (3 more)

KJV

Acts 13:1–52key

¹Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ²As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. ³And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. ⁴So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. ⁵And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. ⁶And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar–jesus: … (46 more)

KJV

Acts 14:1–28key

¹And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. ²But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. ³Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. ⁴But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. ⁵And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, ⁶They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: … (22 more)

KJV

Acts 15:1–41key

¹And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. ²When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. ³And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. ⁴And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. ⁵But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. ⁶And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. … (35 more)

KJV

Acts 4:36–37

³⁶And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, ³⁷Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

KJV

Acts 9:27

²⁷But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

KJV

1 Corinthians 9:6

⁶Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

KJV

Galatians 2:1–13

¹Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. ²And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. ³But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: ⁴And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: ⁵To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. ⁶But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: … (7 more)

KJV

Colossians 4:10

¹⁰Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

KJV

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