Biography of barnabas

BARNABASbär’ nə bəs (Βαρνάβας, Gr. from Aram. בַּר נְבוּאָה, son of prophecy, interpreted by Luke (Acts 4:36) as υἱὸ̀ς παρακλήσεως, “Son of encouragement” (RSV), “exhortation” (ASV), or “consolation” (KJV); intended by Luke not as a scientific etymology but as an indication of character).

A noted member of the early Jerusalem church and an active missionary to the Gentiles.

1. Jewish background.

Biography of barnabas

His original name was “Joseph” or “Joses” (KJV), but the apt name bestowed by the apostles (4:36) completely superseded the old. It apparently marked his ability to console and encourage rather than his eminence in exhortation or teaching.

He was a Levite, born in Cyprus, but John Mark of Jerusalem was his cousin (Col 4:10). His conversion is unrecorded, but as an early member of the Jerusalem church he showed his generous nature by selling a field (on Cyprus?) for the benefit of the poor (Acts 4:37).

He proved himself “a son of encouragement” in courageously befriending the su