Barnabas
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “Son of encouragement”
A generous Levite of Cyprus, "the son of consolation," who vouched for the newly converted Paul and partnered with him on the first missionary journey.
Biography
Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, was one of the most generous and gracious figures of the early church. His given name was Joses (Joseph), but the apostles surnamed him Barnabas — "The son of consolation" — for his gift of encouragement (Acts 4:36).
Bridge-builder
He first appears selling a field and laying the money at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:37). When the newly converted Saul (Paul) was feared by the disciples, it was Barnabas who took him and vouched for him before the apostles (Acts 9:27). Sent to the booming church at Antioch, "he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith" (Acts 11:24), and he fetched Paul to help teach there.
Missionary and the parting
Barnabas and Paul were set apart by the Spirit for the first missionary journey (Acts 13:2–3) and together defended Gentile freedom at the Jerusalem Council. Later they parted ways over whether to take John Mark again (Acts 15:36–39) — yet Barnabas's restoring of Mark bore fruit, for Paul later called Mark "profitable to me for the ministry" (2 Timothy 4:11).
Life Timeline
Vouches for the newly converted Saul before the apostles
Set apart with Paul for the first missionary journey
Themes & lessons from Barnabas
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Barnabas appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
28 verses in 4 booksActs23 verses
Acts 4:36
And 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 9:27
But 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 11:22
Then 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.
Acts 11:25
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Acts 11:30
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 12:25
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. ministry: or, charge
Acts 13:1
Now 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. which: or, Herod's foster brother
Acts 13:2
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Acts 13:7
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
Acts 13:43
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:50
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
Acts 14:12
And they called Barnabas Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Acts 14:14
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
Acts 14:20
Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Acts 15:2
When 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.
Acts 15:12
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
Acts 15:22
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
Acts 15:25
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Acts 15:35
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Acts 15:36
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
Acts 15:37
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
Acts 15:39
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
1 Corinthians1 verse
1 Corinthians 9:6
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
Galatians3 verses
Galatians 2:1
Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Galatians 2:9
And when James Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Galatians 2:13
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Colossians1 verse
Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
Frequently asked about Barnabas
Who was Barnabas in the Bible?
A generous Levite of Cyprus, "the son of consolation," who vouched for the newly converted Paul and partnered with him on the first missionary journey.
What does the name Barnabas mean?
The name Barnabas means “Son of encouragement”.
What did Barnabas do in the Bible?
Barnabas served as apostle, missionary.
Where does Barnabas appear in the Bible?
Barnabas is mentioned 28 times across 4 books: Acts, 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians.
What can we learn from Barnabas?
The story of Barnabas touches on themes of paul, zeal, religious, barnabas, law — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Barnabas's life.
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