Barnabas
His name means "son of encouragement," and he gave Paul, and Mark, a second chance.
New Testament · 1st century · Acts, Galatians, Colossians · Also known as Joses, Son of consolation
About Barnabas
Joses, a Levite from Cyprus, was nicknamed Barnabas, "The son of consolation," by the apostles. He sold a field and gave the money to the church. When the newly converted Saul came to Jerusalem and the disciples were afraid of him, Barnabas took him to the apostles and vouched for him. Sent to Antioch, he was glad at what God was doing, fetched Saul from Tarsus to teach there, and "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." He and Paul were sent out together as missionaries. Later they disagreed so sharply over Barnabas’s cousin Mark that they parted ways.
Barnabas is called an apostle alongside Paul in Acts 14:14. Mark, the cousin he championed, later became useful to Paul again (2 Timothy 4:11) and is traditionally linked with the Gospel of Mark.
The story
Son of consolation
"And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet."
Acts 4:36-37
Barnabas took him
When Saul came to Jerusalem, the disciples "were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way."
Acts 9:26-28
Christians first in Antioch
Sent to Antioch, Barnabas "was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." He went to Tarsus to find Saul and brought him back, and for a year they taught there. "And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
Acts 11:22-26
So sharp between them
Planning a second journey, Barnabas wanted to take his cousin John Mark, who had left them part-way before; Paul refused. "And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus." Years later Paul wrote, "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry."
Acts 15:36-39; 2 Timothy 4:11
Key moments
- Gives his land: Lays the money at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:37)
- Vouches for Saul: When others were afraid. (Acts 9:27)
- Encourages Antioch: "A good man… full of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 11:24)
- Sent out with Paul: "Separate me Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 13:2)
- Parts from Paul over Mark: And sails to Cyprus. (Acts 15:39)
Questions about Barnabas
In meetBible these answers are given in Barnabas’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did you trust Saul when others didn’t?
The disciples "were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple." Acts says I "took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way… and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus." It doesn’t say how I came to know his story, only that I was willing to stand beside him.
Why were you called the son of consolation?
My given name was Joses. The apostles "surnamed" me Barnabas, "which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation," often translated "son of encouragement." Acts doesn’t say exactly why, but it follows with my gift of land, and later shows me encouraging the church at Antioch and standing up for Saul and Mark.
Connected people
- Paul: Partner in mission
- Peter: Fellow leader
- Stephen: Early Jerusalem church
- John Mark: Cousin
- Silas: Paul’s new partner after the split
Read it yourself
Start with Acts 4:36-37; 9:26-27; 11:22-26; 15:36-39.