Barnabas
the son of encouragement
Who was Barnabas?
- His name was Joseph. He was a Levite from Cyprus, and the apostles called him Barnabas. Acts 4:36
- He sold a field and gave the money to the apostles. Acts 4:37
- He brought Saul to the apostles and later traveled with him to proclaim Jesus. Acts 9:27; Acts 13:2-4
- The name
- The apostles named him Barnabas, which means “son of consolation” or “son of encouragement”. Acts 4:36
- Also called
- Joseph Acts 4:36
- From
- From the island of Cyprus Acts 4:36
- Occupation
- A Levite; later, a prophet and teacher of the Church in Antioch Acts 4:36; Acts 13:1
- Feast day
- June 11: Saint Barnabas, Apostle
What the Bible says
Acts 4:36
And Joseph, who, by the apostles, was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, by interpretation, The son of consolation,) a Levite, a Cyprian born,
Acts 4:37
Having land, sold it, and brought the price, and laid it at the feet of the apostles.
Acts 9:27; Acts 13:2-4
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and told them how he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him; and how in Damascus he had dealt confidently in the name of Jesus.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
The path of Barnabas
- Before Jesus. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, sold a field and laid the money at the feet of the apostles. Acts 4:36-37
- Before Jesus. The apostles gave him the name Barnabas. Acts 4:36
- With Jesus. The disciples in Jerusalem were afraid of Saul. Barnabas brought him to the apostles. Acts 9:26-27
- With Jesus. The Church in Jerusalem sent him to Antioch. There he encouraged everyone to remain faithful to the Lord. Acts 11:22-23
- With Jesus. He went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and for a whole year they taught together in Antioch. Acts 11:25-26
- With Jesus. The Holy Spirit asked that Barnabas and Saul be set apart for a mission. They went to Cyprus, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Acts 13:2-4; Acts 14:1, 6
- Afterward. Barnabas and Paul argued over Mark and parted ways. Barnabas took Mark with him to Cyprus. Acts 15:37-39
- Afterward. According to Tradition: Late traditions say that he died a martyr in Cyprus. The Catholic Encyclopedia warns that they are not reliable. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Barnabas”
Words of Barnabas
“Ye men, why do ye these things? We also are mortals, men like unto you, preaching to you to be converted from these vain things, to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them.” Acts 14:15
At Lystra, together with Paul, when the people wanted to offer sacrifice to them as gods.
What they were like
- He was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Acts 11:24
- When he saw the grace of God in Antioch, he rejoiced and encouraged everyone. Acts 11:23
- He gave Mark, his cousin, another chance. Acts 15:37-39; Colossians 4:10
The greatest thing they did
- He brought Saul to the apostles when the others were afraid of him. Acts 9:26-27
- With Saul, he took the help of the Christians of Antioch to Jerusalem in a time of famine. Acts 11:28-30
- In Jerusalem, James, Peter and John gave him and Paul their right hand as a sign of communion. Galatians 2:9
Not to be confused with
- Joseph Barsabbas, called Justus, was one of the two candidates to take the place of Judas. Barnabas was also named Joseph, but he was a Levite from Cyprus. Acts 1:23; Acts 4:36
- Barabbas was the prisoner who was released instead of Jesus. Barnabas was the Levite from Cyprus who sold his field for the community. Matthew 27:16, 26; Acts 4:36-37
In the Church today
Feast day: June 11, Saint Barnabas, Apostle (memorial). General Roman Calendar
What people ask
Was Barnabas an apostle?
He was not one of the Twelve, but Acts calls him an apostle together with Paul. Acts 14:14
Were Barnabas and Mark related?
Yes. Paul says that Mark was Barnabas’ cousin. Colossians 4:10
Why did Paul and Barnabas part ways?
Barnabas wanted to take Mark, who had left them on the earlier journey. Paul did not want to, and they argued so much that they parted ways. Acts 15:37-39
Why did the people of Lystra call him Zeus?
Paul healed a man who could not walk, and the people thought they were gods. They called Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes. Acts 14:8-12
His stumbles In Antioch, Peter stopped eating with the Christians who were not Jewish, and Barnabas was carried along. Galatians 2:12-13 His argument with Paul was so sharp that they…
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