← People

Person

Judas

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Judas, also known as Barsabbas, was a prophet and respected leader in the Jerusalem church who accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Antioch.

🗺 Places mentioned alongside Judas on the map →

Also known as Barsabbas · Barsabas

Judas, also known as Barsabbas, is mentioned in Act.15.22, 27, 32 as a prophet and leader in the Jerusalem church. The context of the passage is the Jerusalem Council, where the early church leaders discussed and resolved the issue of Gentile believers and the Mosaic law (Act.15.1-35).

After the council reached a decision, they chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas, both described as leading men among the believers, to accompany Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch (Act.15.22). They carried a letter from the Jerusalem church, confirming the council's decision and encouraging the Gentile believers (Act.15.23-29).

In Antioch, Judas and Silas, being prophets, exhorted and strengthened the believers with many words (Act.15.32). This indicates that they had a recognized ministry of prophecy and encouragement within the early church.

After spending some time in Antioch, Judas and Silas were sent back to Jerusalem with the blessing of peace from the church (Act.15.33). No further details are provided about Judas Barsabbas' life or ministry beyond this event.

The inclusion of Judas Barsabbas in this narrative highlights the unity and cooperation among the early church leaders, as well as the importance of prophecy and encouragement in the growth and strengthening of the believers.

Connections

Part of: The Jerusalem Church

Joseph and Judas Barsabbas

FamilyHypothesis

Joseph called Barsabbas was a candidate to replace Judas Iscariot, and later Judas called Barsabbas helps carry the council's letter. The shared surname might mean brothers, but the text does not say.

Where the text shows it: Acts 1:23 — Joseph called BarsabbasActs 15:22 — Judas called Barsabbas
Ways people read this (2)
  • Brothers sharing a patronym.
  • Unrelated men with a common epithet ("son of the Sabbath" or "son of the elder").

Sources: Scripture

Where Judas appears

3 verses in 1 book · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G2455

Acts3

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.