BARNABAS (∏Ni∏Γ">2) was the surname given by the apostles to Joses, “a Levite, of the country of Cyprus,” who, though like Paul not of the twelve, was with him recognized among the number of the apostles. The name (υloς τrαpακλ^σ∈ωs), translated ii son of consolation” in the authorized version (Acts iv. 36), would be better rendered a son of exhortation” or “of prophecy.” Barnabas is first mentioned in the Acts (iv. 36, 37) as having sold his land and laid the money at the apostles’ feet. He next appears as introducing Paul after his conversion to the other apostles (Acts ix. 27), from which a previous acquaintance has been iuferred. Subsequent notices record a year’s residence along with Saul at Antioch, where they “taught much people” (xi. 22-26), a visit to Jerusalem with contributions for the poorer brethren there (xi. 27-30), the ordination of Saul and Barnabas for the work to which they were called by the Holy Ghost (xiii. 2, 3), and a missionary journey of the two apostles to Cyprus and various cities of Asia Minor (xiii. xiv.) When the dissension arose as to the necessity of circumcision, Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem by the church at Antioch to consult the “apostles and elders” on the question (xv. 1-4). Soon after their return to Antioch they resolved to undertake a second missionary journey; but a difference arose between them in regard to the determination of Barnabas to take his sister’s son, John Mark, along with him. “The contention was so sharp between them” (xv. 39) that they separated, Barnabas and Mark going to Cyprus, while Paul and Silas went to Syria and Cilicia. No further account of the career of Barnabas is given in the New Testament, with the exception of one or two incidental allusions ...

a disciple of Jesus Christ, and companion of St. Paul in his labours. He was a Levite, born in the isle of Cyprus. His proper name was Joses, to which the Apostles added Barnabas, signifying _the son of consolation_. He is generally considered one of the seventy disciples, chosen by our Saviour. He was brought up with Paul at the feet of Gamaliel. When that Apostle came to Jerusalem, three years after his conversion, Barnabas introduced him to the other Apostles, Acts ix, 26, 27, about A. D. 37. Five years afterward, the church at Jerusalem, being informed of the progress of the Gospel at Antioch, sent Barnabas thither, who beheld with great joy the wonders of the grace of God, Acts xi, 22, 24. He exhorted the faithful to perseverance. Some time afterward, he went to Tarsus, to seek Paul, and bring him to Antioch, where they jointly laboured two years, and converted great numbers; and here the disciples were first called Christians. They left Antioch A. D. 44, to convey alms from this church to that at Jerusalem. At their return they brought John Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. While they were at Antioch, the Holy Ghost directed that they should be separated for those labours among the Gentiles to which he had appointed them. They departed into Cyprus, where they converted Sergius Paulus, the pro-consul. They preached at Perga in Pamphylia without much success, by reason of the obstinacy and malice of the Jews; but being come to Iconium, they made many converts. Here the Jews stirred up a sedition, and obliged them to retire to Derbe and Lystra, in Lycaonia, where St. Paul curing one Æneas, who had been lame from his birth, the people of Lystra regarded them as gods; calling Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury; and would have sacrificed to them, which the two Apostles ...