Barnabas

also called Joseph · A Levite, in the time of the New Testament · Tribe of Levi · named in 28 verses

the name means son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy) Strong's Lexicon

Barnabas, also known as Joseph or Joses, was a Levite from Cyprus who played a significant role in the early church and accompanied Paul on missionary journeys.

From Easton's Bible Dictionary

Son of consolation, the surname of Joses, a Levite (Acts 4:36). His name stands first on the list of prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch (13:1). Luke speaks of him as a "good man" (11:24). He was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He was a native of Cyprus, where he had a possession of land (Acts 4:36, 37), which he sold. His personal appearance is supposed to have been dignified and commanding (Acts 14:11, 12). When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his conversion, Barnabas took him and introduced him to the apostles (9:27). They had probably been companions as students in the school of Gamaliel.

Easton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1897 — public domain, quoted in full and unedited.

Family

Parents father of Barnabas

Siblings Mary

From STEPBible's TIPNR genealogy data. A relationship the data marks uncertain is not shown here.

First named at Acts 4:36.

See Barnabas in the family tree →

Verses that name Barnabas

Acts 4:36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),
Acts 9:27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus.
Acts 11:22 When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
Acts 11:25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
Acts 11:30 This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 12:25 When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, bringing with them John, also called Mark.
Acts 13:1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.
Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 13:7 an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
Acts 13:43 After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:50 The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.
Acts 14:12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
Acts 14:20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. And the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
Acts 15:2 And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:12 The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
Acts 15:22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
Acts 15:25 So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Acts 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.
Acts 15:36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
Acts 15:37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
Acts 15:39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
1 Corinthians 9:6 Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
Galatians 2:1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
Galatians 2:9 And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
Galatians 2:13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
Colossians 4:10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.