Barnabas — Son of Consolation
Introduction: Since Barnabas was from the country of Cyprus, and was a Levite, a little background from scripture is in order regarding that information. Leviticus 25:32–33 “Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time. And if a man purchase of the Levites, then the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, shall go out in the year of jubile: for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel.” There were towns and villages assigned in each of the territories of the twelve tribes of Israel for possession by the Levites, but the Levites had no single separated territory that was exclusively theirs as was the case with the other tribes, for their inheritance was to be the Lord.
All the descendants of Levi were Levites, but only the descendants of Aaron were to be priests. The other Levites had duties for the tabernacle as it moved with the nation, during the wilderness wandering, and through the period of the Judges. When the remnant returned from captivity and the temple was rebuilt, the service of the priests and Levites was reinstituted, to remain down to the time of Christ.
NOTE: All Bible text is from the 1769 KJV.
A — The Beginning of the Church at Jerusalem
Acts 2:41, 44–47 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. … And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Comments: In Acts 1 the scripture records a group of believers numbering about 120, then a number of 3,000 is given in chapter 2, and by the beginning of chapter 4 another event indicates 5,000 added to the church. The text does not reveal a time line from chapter 1 to chapter 4, or precisely when Barnabas became part of the church, but he seems to be respected by the apostles when we first learn of him in chapter 4.
B — The First Reference to Barnabas
Acts 4:31–37 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 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.”
Comments: Barnabas seems to be part of the group that is filled with the Holy Spirit at this juncture. We learn several things about Barnabas from this reference: 1) his name is Joses (or Joseph), 2) the apostles surnamed him Barnabas, 3) he was a Levite, 4) he was from the country of Cyprus, and 5) he sold land that was his property. Barnabas is a compound word of Aramaic origin, and the verse tells us the meaning is son of consolation (or encouragement, exhortation, advocacy). The more direct meaning of “nabas” in Aramaic is prophet (or one who speaks forth), so the mode of comfort from Barnabas was likely conveyed most often in his skill with words. But his actions were consistent with his words, as was demonstrated in this passage by his sale of his personal property and the gift of the full sum to the apostles for the benefit of those in need in the church.
C — Barnabas Is First to Support the Converted Paul in Jerusalem
Acts 9:26–28 “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they 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, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.”
Comments: Barnabas exhibits the character of his surname by becoming an advocate for Paul, and his persuasive speech convinces the apostles that Paul had a direct encounter with the risen Christ, and has already preached boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. The text does not provide the detail of how Barnabas made his assessment that Paul was a genuine disciple of Christ, but the results speak well enough for the process. The success of Barnabas to unite Paul with the apostles is succinctly recorded: Paul “was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.” After that, Paul became such a strong representative for Christ that some Greeks in Jerusalem plotted to kill him, and he was assisted to make a discrete exit to go to his home area of Tarsus, while Barnabas apparently remained in Jerusalem.
D — Barnabas Sent to Antioch by the Apostles
Acts 11:19–23 “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”
Comments: Some years passed during which Paul was converted, became joined with the apostles in Jerusalem, and subsequently went to Tarsus. Those who had gone to Cyprus after the death of Stephen took their message of Christ only to Jews. But then some of these ordinary believers from Cyprus and Cyrene carried the gospel to Greeks in Antioch and saw the blessing of the Lord as men were converted. When the apostles at Jerusalem heard of the developing church among gentiles, they apparently had sufficient confidence in Barnabas to send him to Antioch as their representative to strengthen the church. This passage closes with a comment of exhortation characteristic of the surname for Joses: when he “had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”
E — Barnabas Goes to Tarsus and Brings Saul Back to Antioch for Ministry
Acts 11:25–30 “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”
Comments: Here we find the first detail of Paul’s ministry to a church after he had left Jerusalem, and Barnabas provided the impetus for their partnership for about one year. Barnabas again brings Paul into the center of ministry and fellowship, as he had done in Jerusalem by presenting Paul to the apostles. When the church at Antioch determined to send some relief to the needs of those in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul became the emissaries, and Barnabas’s named is listed first.
F — Barnabas and Saul Return to Antioch, Taking John Mark with Them
Acts 12:24–25 “But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.”
Comments: Chapter twelve details events taking place in Jerusalem before Barnabas and Saul arrive from Antioch. The disciple James is killed by Herod’s order, then Peter is imprisoned awaiting a similar end to please the Jews. Peter is miraculously released by the angel of the Lord, stops to see those who had been praying, then he drops out of sight for a time. It is interesting to note that Mark is part of the group that had been praying for Peter. Later, Herod is struck down by the angel of the Lord and dies. The chapter closes with the two simple statements above.
G — Barnabas and Saul Begin to Travel Together for Ministry
Acts 13:1–15 “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.” [The account continues through Cyprus to Antioch in Pisidia, where they speak in the synagogue.]
Comments: Barnabas and Saul were in a list of five men identified as teachers and prophets. This gives some indication of the strong base for the church that was present in Antioch. After prayer and fasting, the Holy Spirit directed that Barnabas and Saul were to be sent out for the work to which they had been called. John [Mark] was in their company, and they traveled first to Seleucia, then sailed to Barnabas’s home country of Cyprus. The conversion of the deputy Sergius Paulus took place at Paphos, the capital on the western shore of the island. The next stop was on the mainland at Perga in Pamphylia, where John left the party and returned to Jerusalem. Barnabas and Paul next continued to Antioch in Pisidia.
H — The Lord Provided Success for Paul and Barnabas Even Through Opposition
Acts 13:43–52 “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.”
Comments: The passage above takes place in Antioch of Pisidia. The Jewish leaders had their way in the end, as Paul and Barnabas were expelled from the region. But the success of the gospel is expressed in the portion that says, “when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.”
I — Iconium Became Another City Divided by the Gospel
Acts 14:1–7 “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: And there they preached the gospel.”
Comments: Barnabas and Paul both went into the synagogue and spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and gentiles believed the gospel. The grace of the Lord allowed them to continue speaking boldly for a long time and to perform signs and wonders. The city was divided, part holding with the Jews and part with the apostles. The Greek word used here for apostles is the same word used for the twelve chosen by Christ. When the unbelieving Jews and gentiles planned to use violence against them, they fled to Lystra and Derbe.
J — Turning Men Away from Vain Worship in Lystra
Acts 14:8–20 “And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.” [Later, certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium stirred up the people, who stoned Paul and left him for dead; but he rose up and the next day departed with Barnabas to Derbe.]
Comments: Paul healed a man lame from birth, and that precipitated a movement among the people to offer sacrifices to honor Paul and Barnabas as gods. Paul and Barnabas strongly declared that they were just men, and they gave testimony about the true and living God that was just enough to stop the offering of vain pagan sacrifice. Without any distinct transition, we next find that certain Jews came from Antioch and from Iconium and were able to set people against Paul to the point of stoning him, and leaving him for dead. The text simply says that disciples stood around Paul, he got up, and the next day left the city with Barnabas for Derbe.
K — Passing Back Through Cities Despite Previous Hostilities
Acts 14:21–23 “And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
Comments: Then they began a return trip through Lystra, Iconium, and the Antioch of Pisidia. They were confirming the disciples and exhorting them to continue in their faith, noting that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. The last statement of the passage has three key elements: selection of elders in every church, prayer and fasting, and committing the believers to the Lord upon whom they had believed. This third item is of paramount importance, because the security for our continuance in the faith is in the Lord, not in any man.
L — Completing the Circuit and Returning to Syrian Antioch
Acts 14:24–28 “And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples.”
Comments: This passage once again provides some definition for the work they were to have conducted through the grace of God, and it says they had fulfilled that assignment. When they made their report they said God had done these things with them, and that God had opened the door of faith for the gentiles, thus directing all praise to the Lord.
M — Disputed Doctrine to Be Settled by the Apostles at Jerusalem
Acts 15:1–2 “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.”
Acts 15:12 “Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.”
Comments: When the dispute arose in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas were quick to defend the legitimacy of gentile believers having full participation in Christ without the need to follow Jewish laws for conversion to Judaism. Since Barnabas was a Levite and Paul had been a member of the strict sect of the Pharisees, they were certainly voices worth consideration in the matter. Peter and James provided the deciding support in favor of the gentiles, and a letter was dispatched for Paul and Barnabas to take to the church at Antioch, and for them to be accompanied by two other spokesmen from the Jerusalem church for further verification of the ruling.
N — Paul and Barnabas Part Company
Acts 15:35–41 “Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 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; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”
Comments: The text does not reveal when Mark had gone again to Antioch, but he is there when this segment begins. After the disagreement with Paul, Barnabas and Mark headed for the home country of Barnabas, which had been the portion of the first journey when John [Mark] had accompanied both Barnabas and Paul. This then is the last reference to Barnabas in the book of Acts. Barnabas apparently had enough confidence in Mark as a believer, that he was willing to separate from Paul and support the development of another man to grow in service to the Lord. Many believe that this Mark is the author of the gospel account that bears that name, and that some years later Paul was reconciled to Mark.
O — References to Barnabas in Paul’s Letters
Galatians 2:1 “Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.”
Galatians 2:9–14 “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship… But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed… insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.”
1 Corinthians 9:6 “Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?”
Colossians 4:10 “Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)”
Comments: The passages from Galatians are points of personal history that Paul is describing to the readers. Paul provides additional detail found in no other scripture, that Peter apparently made a trip to Antioch. Peter and Barnabas then apparently began to draw away from the Gentiles in agreement with the Jews of Antioch, about maintaining some separation from Gentiles. Paul vigorously disputed this position. The passage from Colossians is generally accepted as evidence that Mark was the nephew of Barnabas, and this is just another interesting bit of information about Barnabas the son of consolation.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you for the life of Barnabas and the many ways in which he was used of the Spirit in the early church. He first showed great generosity by selling his personal property to share with others in the Jerusalem church. His part in supporting Paul to the apostles in Jerusalem, and in bringing Paul into active ministry in Antioch were marks of his sensitivity to the needs of the church for strong leadership. He was then very willing to travel with Paul to touch the lives of many as the gospel message was spread through diligent teaching and witnessing, even in the face of hardship. May the inspiration of his attitude and actions continue to encourage me and many other believers to be available for service to the Lord, though it may be in secondary or supporting roles.
Thank you also that he was able to overcome deeply held traditional patterns as a Levite to the point of being a strong advocate for Gentiles to be fully accepted into the church of Jesus Christ. His faith in John Mark’s place in ministry, even though he had to differ with Paul about a second chance for service to the Lord, is evidence of his desire to support others despite the necessity of making a difficult choice. Barnabas is part of the framework to better understand that the body of Christ can have variations in its members even to the point of causing some separation, while that body is still held together by the Spirit of the Lord, with hope of reconciliation as one in Christ. Help me Lord to be flexible when others directly or indirectly make it evident to me that I need to make some change within my Christian walk, yet keep me firm enough to defend the character of others within the body of Christ. Amen.
Published 11 June 2006