Topic: Persons Of The Bible -- Barnabas

The name "Barnabas" is a Greek form of an Aramaic name which probably meant "son of the prophet" (though it is claimed in Acts 4:36 to mean "son of encouragement"). The name has also been considered to mean "son of consolation"

The name "Barnabas", a name given by the apostles, was the surname of Joses, a Levite of the island of Cyprus, who was an early disciple of Christ. 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). Barnabas 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).

In (Acts 9:27) we find him introducing the newly-converted Saul or Paul to the apostles at Jerusalem.

Barnabas and Paul had probably been companions as students in the school of Gamaliel. The prosperity of the church at Antioch led the apostles and brethren at Jerusalem to send Barnabas thither to superintend the movement. He found the work so extensive and weighty that he went to Tarsus in search of Saul to assist him. Saul returned with him to Antioch and labored with him for a whole year (Acts 11:25, 26). The two were at the end of this period sent up to Jerusalem with the contributions the church at Antioch had made for the poorer brethren there (11:28-30). Shortly after they returned, bringing John Mark with them, they were appointed as missionaries to the heathen world, and in this capacity visited Cyprus and some of the principal cities of Asia Minor (Acts 13:14). Returning from this first missionary journey to Antioch, they were again sent up to Jerusalem to consult with the church there regarding the relation of Gentiles to the church (Acts 15:2: Gal. 2:1). On their return, they were ordained by the church for the missionary work, (Acts 13:2) and sent forth (A.D. 45). From this time Barnabas and Paul enjoy the title and dignity of apostles. This matter about Gentiles in the church having been settled, they returned again to Antioch (A.D. 47 or 48), bringing the decree of the council as the rule by which Gentiles were to be admitted into the church. When they were about to set forth on a second missionary journey, a dispute arose between Paul and Barnabas as to the propriety of taking John Mark with them again. The dispute ended by Paul and Barnabas taking separate routes. Paul took Silas as his companion, and journeyed through Syria and Cilicia; while Barnabas took his nephew John Mark, and visited Cyprus (Acts 15:36-41). Barnabas is not again mentioned by Luke in the Acts. The epistle attributed to Barnabas is believed to have been written early in the second century.

Derived from Easton's and Smith's Bible Dictionaries

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