A New Testament apostle who was a companion of the apostle Paul. Barnabas was the nickname for Joseph.
About Barnabas
Barnabas was an early Christian convert in Jerusalem. He was originally named Joseph. Barnabas earned his new name through his influential preaching and teaching.
We learn most about Barnabas from the book of Acts and Paul's letters in the Bible. The "Epistle of Barnabas," written in the mid-second century, is not from him. Likewise, the "Acts of Barnabas," a fifth-century text, does not provide reliable information about him. Tertullian mistakenly claimed Hebrews was written by Barnabas, but this claim lacks supporting evidence.
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Father of Barnabas
- Half-sibling
- Mary (Acts 12:12)
- Niece/Nephew
- Mark
Key References
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),
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.”
Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
All Scripture References (28)
Acts (23)
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,
1 Corinthians (1)
Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
Galatians (3)
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.
Colossians (1)
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.