Who was Barnabas in the Bible?

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

Published by Bible Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0

Barnabas was an early Christian from Cyprus, named in Acts, who traveled with the apostle Paul on the first missionary journey; Acts records that the apostles gave him the name Barnabas, meaning "The son of consolation."

Acts 4:36-37 in the King James Version reads:

36 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, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

These verses close Acts 4, in the account of the earliest church community. Read it in context at Acts 4:36-37, or the full chapter at Acts 4. Encyclopedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnabas.

Also asked as

  • · Barnabas Bible apostle
  • · Barnabas Paul companion

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