Barnabas (Acts 4:36–37; Acts 9:26–28; Acts 11:19–30; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:1–5; Acts 14:8–18; Acts 15:1–12; Acts 15:22–26; Acts 15:36–41; 1 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2:1–13; Colossians 4:10)

Son of Exhortation, a Levite of Cyprus

A Levite of Cyprus named Joseph, surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, who laid the price of his field at their feet, brought Saul to the apostles, was sent to Antioch, went out with Saul from Antioch, and parted from him over Mark.

Acts introduces him as “Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet” (Acts 4:36-37).

When the disciples at Jerusalem were afraid of Saul, “Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles” (Acts 9:27). When news came of believers among the Greeks at Antioch, the church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas there; he “was glad; and he 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 Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:23-24). He then went to Tarsus to seek Saul and brought him to Antioch (Acts 11:25-26).

At Antioch the Holy Spirit said, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). Later, over whether to take Mark, “there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other” (Acts 15:39). Acts says no more of him after that. Letters that open with Paul's name mention him again: “Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working?” (1 Corinthians 9:6), and Mark is called “the cousin of Barnabas” (Colossians 4:10). Describing a time at Antioch when Cephas drew back from the Gentiles, Paul writes that “even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation” (Galatians 2:13).

Strengths

• Generosity
• Encouragement
• Speaking up for the doubted
• Gladness at grace
• Full of the Holy Spirit and of faith

Weaknesses

• Carried along by others
• Sharp contention

Themes

• Generosity
• Encouragement
• Gentiles at Antioch
• Partnership in mission
• Disagreement among workers

Sells a field and gives the money (Acts 4:36–37)

Joseph, surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, sells his field and lays the money at the apostles' feet.

Brings Saul to the apostles (Acts 9:26–28)

The disciples at Jerusalem are afraid of Saul; Barnabas takes him to the apostles and tells how he had seen the Lord and preached boldly at Damascus.

Sent to Antioch (Acts 11:19–26)

The church at Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch, where he is glad, exhorts the disciples, and goes to Tarsus to seek Saul.

Sent to Antioch

Some men of Cyprus and Cyrene “spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus” (Acts 11:20) at Antioch. “The report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch” (Acts 11:22).

“Who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he 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 Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23-24).

“And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:25-26).

Relief carried to Judea (Acts 11:27–30; Acts 12:25)

The disciples at Antioch send relief to the brethren in Judea by the hand of Barnabas and Saul, who then return with John Mark.

Sent out by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1–5)

While the church at Antioch fasts and ministers to the Lord, the Holy Spirit says to separate Barnabas and Saul; they are sent away and sail to Cyprus.

At Lystra (Acts 14:8–18)

After a lame man is healed, the crowd calls Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercury; the two rend their garments and tell the crowd they are men.

At Lystra

When a man who never had walked leapt up at Paul's word, the multitude said, “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker” (Acts 14:11-12).

“But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God” (Acts 14:14-15).

Before the apostles and elders at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1–12; Acts 15:22–26)

Paul and Barnabas go up to Jerusalem about circumcising the Gentiles; the multitude hearkens to Barnabas and Paul telling what God wrought among the Gentiles.

Parts from Paul over Mark (Acts 15:36–41)

Barnabas wants to take John Mark; Paul does not, because Mark withdrew from them at Pamphylia; they part, and Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus.

Parts from Paul over Mark

“And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare. And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark” (Acts 15:36-37).

“But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus” (Acts 15:38-39).

Paul chose Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:40-41); Acts follows Paul from there and says nothing further of Barnabas.

Paul (Acts 9:26–27; Acts 13:1–3; Acts 15:36–41)

Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles and was sent out with him from Antioch; they parted over Mark.

John Mark (Acts 15:36–39; Colossians 4:10)

Barnabas wished to take him when Paul proposed to return and visit the brethren, and took him to Cyprus; Colossians calls Mark the cousin of Barnabas.

Silas (Acts 15:22; Acts 15:39–40)

Sent to Antioch with Silas and Paul; after the sharp contention Barnabas took Mark and Paul chose Silas.

Titus (Galatians 2:1)

Paul went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with him.

The apostles at Jerusalem (Acts 4:36; Acts 11:22)

Surnamed him Barnabas; the church at Jerusalem sent him to Antioch.

Major sections

• Acts 4:36–37
• Acts 9:26–28
• Acts 11:19–30
• Acts 13–15

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