Bible Characters · Early Church

Barnabas

The Cypriot Levite surnamed Son of Encouragement, who sold his field for the poor, believed in Saul when no one else would, fetched him to Antioch, and travelled with him on the first journey.

Early Church28 references in 4 booksIn theological review

The facts, as Scripture gives them

Lived
Dates not given in Scripture.
Region
Cyprus, his native country; Jerusalem; Antioch; then Cyprus and Asia Minor with Paul. (Acts 4:36; Acts 11:22-26; Acts 13:4)
The name
His name was Joseph. The apostles surnamed him Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement. (Acts 4:36)
Work
A Levite who became an apostle and travelling preacher of the gospel. (Acts 4:36; Acts 14:14)

Key verses

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),

Acts 4:36 (BSB)

Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Acts 11:24 (BSB)

What they did

  • Sold a field that belonged to him and laid the money at the apostles' feet for the believers in need. (Acts 4:36-37)
  • Took Saul, whom the Jerusalem disciples all feared, and brought him to the apostles, telling them how he had seen the Lord. (Acts 9:27)
  • Was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch, saw the grace of God, and went to Tarsus to fetch Saul to teach the new church. (Acts 11:22-26)
  • Was set apart by the Holy Spirit with Saul and sent out from Antioch. (Acts 13:1-3)
  • At Lystra was taken for Zeus by the crowds, and tore his garments to turn them to the living God. (Acts 14:12-15)
  • Parted from Paul after a sharp disagreement over John Mark, and sailed with Mark to Cyprus. (Acts 15:36-39)

Family

Cousins
Mark (John Mark) (Colossians 4:10)

Connected to

  • Paul: The convert he vouched for and the apostle he travelled with (Acts 9:27; Acts 13:1-3)
  • Mark (John Mark): His cousin, the cause of his parting from Paul (Colossians 4:10; Acts 15:37-39)

Mentioned in

Acts, 1 Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians.

Every reference (28)

Acts 4:36 · Acts 9:27 · Acts 11:22 · Acts 11:25 · Acts 11:30 · Acts 12:25 · Acts 13:1 · Acts 13:2 · Acts 13:7 · Acts 13:43 · Acts 13:46 · Acts 13:50 · Acts 14:12 · Acts 14:14 · Acts 14:20 · Acts 15:2 · Acts 15:12 · Acts 15:22 · Acts 15:25 · Acts 15:35 · Acts 15:36 · Acts 15:37 · Acts 15:39 · 1 Corinthians 9:6 · Galatians 2:1 · Galatians 2:9 · Galatians 2:13 · Colossians 4:10

Review status: in-theological-review. Every Contend profile passes a human theological review against the Statement of Faith before it is published as approved teaching. This profile is in that queue. Sources: Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain), verified verse by verse. Name and reference data: STEP Bible (TIPNR), Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0.