Judas Barsabbas

the one who carried the letter

Who was Judas Barsabbas?

He was one of the men who led the brothers in Jerusalem. Acts 15:22
The apostles sent him to Antioch with Silas, to deliver a letter. Acts 15:22-23, 27
Since he was a prophet, he encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. Acts 15:32

Also called: Barsabbas, his other name Acts 15:22
Occupation: Prophet, one of the leaders among the brothers Acts 15:22, 32

What the Bible says

Acts 15:22

Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren.

Acts 15:22-23, 27

²²Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole church, to choose men of their own company, and to send to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. ²³Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting. ²⁷We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things.

Acts 15:32

But Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, with many words comforted the brethren, and confirmed them.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Judas Barsabbas

Before Jesus. He was one of the men who led the brothers in Jerusalem. Acts 15:22
Before Jesus. There was a great debate: some said that Christians who were not Jews had to be circumcised. Acts 15:1-2
Before Jesus. To settle it, Paul, Barnabas and others went up from Antioch to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and the presbyters. Acts 15:2
Before Jesus. The apostles and the presbyters met to look into the question. Acts 15:6
Before Jesus. James proposed not to make things difficult for those who were not Jews and were turning to God. They would only be asked to keep away from a few things. Acts 15:13, 19-20
With Jesus. The apostles and the presbyters, with the whole Church, chose Judas and Silas. Acts 15:22
With Jesus. They sent them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, carrying a letter. Acts 15:22-23
With Jesus. The letter explained that all of them, in one accord, had decided to send these men along with Barnabas and Paul. Acts 15:25-26
With Jesus. The letter said that Judas and Silas would explain the same things by word of mouth. Acts 15:27
With Jesus. They gathered the community and delivered the letter. The brothers were overjoyed when they read it. Acts 15:30-31
With Jesus. Since they were prophets, Judas and Silas encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. Acts 15:32
Afterward. After some time, the brothers sent them off in peace to those who had sent them. Acts 15:33

Words of Judas Barsabbas

The Bible records no words spoken by Judas Barsabbas. He carried a letter from the apostles and explained it by word of mouth.

What they were like

He was one of the leading men among the brothers. Acts 15:22
He was a prophet and encouraged others with many words. Acts 15:32

The greatest thing they did

He carried to Antioch the letter from the meeting in Jerusalem, which brought joy to the Christians who were not Jews. Acts 15:22-31

Not to be confused with

Judas Iscariot: Judas Iscariot was the apostle who betrayed Jesus. Judas Barsabbas was a prophet of the Church in Jerusalem. Matthew 26:14-16; Acts 15:22, 32
Jude Thaddeus: Jude Thaddeus was one of the Twelve apostles. Judas Barsabbas was not an apostle. Luke 6:16; Acts 15:22
Joseph, called Barsabbas, was a candidate to take the place of Judas Iscariot. The Bible does not say whether he was related to Judas Barsabbas. Acts 1:23

What people ask

Who was Judas Barsabbas?

A prophet and one of the leaders of the Church in Jerusalem. He was sent with Silas to Antioch. Acts 15:22, 32

What did the letter he carried say?

That no burden would be placed on Christians who were not Jews beyond what was necessary. They were to keep away from what had been offered to idols, from blood, from meat of strangled animals and from unlawful marriage. Acts 15:28-29

Was he the brother of Joseph Barsabbas?

The Bible does not say. Both men were called Barsabbas. Acts 1:23; Acts 15:22

Did he go back to Jerusalem alone?

Acts says the brothers sent them off in peace. Some manuscripts add that Silas stayed behind; the Douay-Rheims includes this as verse 34. Acts 15:33; NAB note on Hch 15, 34

What did a prophet do in the early Church?

He spoke to encourage, strengthen and console the brothers. That is what Judas and Silas did in Antioch. 1 Corinthians 14:3; Acts 15:32

What became of Silas, his companion?

Paul chose Silas as his traveling companion. Together they went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:40-41

Little known His other name, Barsabbas, is the same as that of Joseph, the candidate to be an apostle. Acts 1:23 Some manuscripts add that Silas stayed in Antioch and…

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Who Judas Barsabbas is connected to

Silas · sent together
Paul · traveled to Antioch

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All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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