Levite living at the time of the New Testament
Barnabas, also known as Joseph or Joses, was a Levite from Cyprus who played a significant role in the early church and accompanied Paul on missionary journeys.
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Also known as Joseph · Joses
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.
Part of: Paul's Circle · The Herods · The Jerusalem Church
Barnabas went to Tarsus to fetch Saul, taught with him a full year in Antioch, and the two were then set apart by the Spirit at Antioch for the first mission. Barnabas is named first in the list of Antioch leaders and Saul last.
Sources: Scripture
When the Jerusalem disciples feared the newly converted Saul, Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told of his Damascus encounter. The one who later split from Paul over John Mark is the man who first opened Jerusalem to Paul.
Sources: Scripture
Paul writes that Mark is the cousin (anepsios) of Barnabas. Mark's mother Mary hosted a Jerusalem prayer gathering, and Barnabas took Mark along on the first journey and again after the split with Paul. The family tie explains Barnabas's loyalty to Mark.
Sources: Scripture
Paul and Barnabas parted sharply over taking Mark on the second journey. Yet Paul later lists Mark among his co-workers and asks for him as useful for ministry, so the breach over Mark was healed.
Sources: Scripture
Hebrews is anonymous. Luther suggested Apollos, noting the Alexandrian style and scriptural skill. Others propose Barnabas (early North African tradition, Tertullian), Priscilla, or Paul. Origen concluded only God knows who wrote it.
Sources: Tertullian, On Modesty 20 · Origen, in Eusebius, Church History 6.25 · Martin Luther
On Cyprus the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, summoned Barnabas and Saul and believed when he saw Elymas struck blind. This is the first Roman official recorded as a convert.
Sources: Scripture
Acts lists the Antioch leaders: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. The list mixes a Cypriot Levite, a man from Cyrene, and one raised alongside Herod's court circle.
Sources: Scripture
Manaen is described as having been brought up with Herod the tetrarch before becoming a prophet and teacher at Antioch beside Barnabas and Saul. The Greek syntrophos may mean foster-brother or childhood companion.
Sources: Scripture
Right after Barnabas sold a field and laid the money at the apostles' feet, Ananias and Sapphira sold property and kept back part. Peter confronts each, and both die. The two accounts are set side by side in Acts.
Sources: Scripture
Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus, and he and Mark returned there after the split. Decades later in Jerusalem Paul stays with Mnason, a Cypriot and early disciple.
Sources: Scripture
Agabus foretold a great famine, which Luke says happened under Claudius. Antioch's disciples sent relief by Barnabas and Saul to Judea.
Sources: Scripture
After debate, Peter and James spoke, and the letter was carried to Antioch by Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, with Paul and Barnabas.
Sources: Scripture
Paul visited Peter for fifteen days, later opposed Peter at Antioch over table fellowship after men from James arrived, and even Barnabas was led astray.
Sources: Scripture
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Son of consolation, the surname of Joses, a Levite (Acts 4:36). His name stands first on the list of prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch (13:1). Luke speaks of him as a “good man” (11:24). He was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He was a native of Cyprus, where he had a possession of land (Acts 4:36, 37), which he sold. His personal appearance is supposed to have been dignified and commanding (Acts 14:11, 12). When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his conversion, Barnabas took him and introduced him to the apostles (9:27). They had probably been companions as students in the school of Gamaliel. The prosperity of the church at Antioch led the apostles and brethren at Jerusalem to send Barnabas thither to superintend the movement. He found the work so extensive and weighty that he went to Tarsus in search of Saul to assist him. Saul returned with him to Antioch and laboured with him for a whole year (Acts 11:25, 26). The two were at the end of this period sent up to Jerusalem with the contributions the church at Antioch had made for the poorer brethren there (11:28-30). Shortly after they returned, bringing John Mark with them, they were appointed as missionaries to the heathen world, and in this capacity visited Cyprus and some of the principal cities of Asia Minor (Acts 13:14). Returning from this first missionary journey to Antioch, they were again sent up to Jerusalem to consult with the church there regarding the relation of Gentiles to the church (Acts 15:2: Gal. 2:1). This matter having been settled, they returned again to Antioch, bringing the decree of the council as the rule by which Gentiles were to be admitted into the church. When about to set forth on a second missionary journey, a dispute arose between Saul and Barnabas as to the…
(son of consolation or comfort) a name given by the apostles, (Acts 4:36) to Joseph (or Jose), a Levite of the island of Cyprus, who was early a disciple of Christ. In (Acts 9:27) we find him introducing the newly-converted Saul to the apostles at Jerusalem. Barnabas was sent to Jerusalem, (Acts 11:19-26) and went to Tarsus to seek Saul, as one specially raised up to preach to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:17) He brought him to Antioch, and was sent with him to Jerusalem. (Acts 11:30) On their return, they were ordained by the church for the missionary work, (Acts 13:2) and sent forth (A.D. 45). From this time Barnabas and Paul enjoy the title and dignity of apostles. Their first missionary journey is related in (Acts 13:14) Returning to Antioch (A.D. 47 or 48), they were sent (A.D. 50), with some others, to Jerusalem. (Acts 15:1,36) Afterwards they parted and Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, his native island. Here the Scripture notices of him cease. The epistle attributed to Barnabas is believed to have been written early in the second century.
son of the prophet, or of consolation
BAR'NABAS (son of consolation), a Levite of the island of Cyprus, and an early convert to the Christian faith. Acts 4:36. His original name was Joses, but he derived his usual title from his remarkable powers of exhorting the people and ministering consolation to the afflicted. Barnabas was one of those who gave up all their worldly substance and all their strength and influence to the support and spread of the gospel. He introduced Paul to the disciples on the latter's visit to Jerusalem, three years after his conversion. Acts 9:27. Afterward he brought Paul from Tarsus to Antioch, and they labored for two years together with great success. Acts 11:25, Acts 11:26. They attended together the council of Jerusalem. Acts 15:22; Gal 2:1. Afterward they separated, and Barnabas went on an independent missionary-tour with Mark. Acts 15:1-41. Some ascribe to him the Epistle to the Hebrews. We have under his name an epistle, which, however, is of doubtful genuineness.
BAR'NABAS (son of consolation), a Levite of the island of Cyprus, and an early convert to the Christian faith. Acts 4:36. His original name was Joses, but he derived his usual title
from his remarkable powers of exhorting the people and ministering consolation to the afflicted. Barnabas was one of those who gave up all their worldly substance and all their strength and influence to the support and spread of the gospel. He introduced Paul to the disciples on the latter's visit to Jerusalem, three years after his conversion. Acts 9:27. Afterward he brought Paul from Tarsus to Antioch, and they labored for two years together with great success. Acts 11:25, Acts 11:26. They attended together the council of Jerusalem. Acts 15:22; Gal 2:1. Afterward they separated, and Barnabas went on an independent missionary-tour with Mark. Acts 15:1-41. Some ascribe to him the Epistle to the Hebrews. We have under his name an epistle, which, however, is of doubtful genuineness.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
28 verses in 4 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G0921
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),
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.
When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.
When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, bringing with them John, also called Mark.
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.
Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. And the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
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.
The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
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.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.