Acts 4:36
in Acts 4Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
KJV
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,
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This verse in Acts 4
Commentary
18 notes on this verseBarnabas means, 'Son of a prophet', or 'son of one coming', or, as many think, son of consolation. All the derivations, as 'Bar' (son of) either 'Nabi' (a prophet), or a derivative from 'Bo' (to come) or from 'Bee' (to console), as by the Syriac interpreter it is also rendered, 'Son of consolation.'
This site's exposition
Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas
on Acts 4:36-37
Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, which is, being interpreted, the son of consolation, is introduced here for the first time, a Levite of the country of Cyprus who will become one of the most trusted men in the whole book, vouching for Paul at 9:27 and laboring beside him through the first mission to the Gentiles. Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet, his single act of generosity is recorded by name, standing as one specific example of the pattern just described in general terms, and the naming sets up the deliberate contrast the next chapter draws with Ananias, whose gift is given the opposite way. The bench notes Luke's habit of moving from a general description to one named case, the pattern he will use again for the community's failures as well as its virtues.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
This he says regarding the conspiracy into which they were to enter against the Lord. And that he means this conspiracy, is evident to us. For the blessed David sings, "Rulers have taken counsel together against the Lord," and so forth. And of this conspiracy the Spirit prophesied, saying, "Let not my soul contend," desiring to draw them off, if possible, so that that future crime might not happen through them. "They slew men, and houghed the bull; "by the "strong bull" he means Christ. And "they houghed," since, when He was suspended on the tree, they pierced through His sinews. Again, "in their anger they houghed a bull." And mark the nicety of the expression: for "they slew men, and houghed a bull." For they killed the saints, and they remain dead, awaiting the time of the resurrection. But as a young bull, so to speak, when houghed, sinks down to the ground, such was Christ in submitting voluntarily to the death of the flesh; but He was not overcome of death. But though as man He became one of the dead, He remained alive in the nature of divinity. For Christ is the bull,-an animal, above all, strong and neat and devoted to sacred use. And the Son is Lord of all power, who did no sin, but rather offered Himself for us, a savour of a sweet smell to His God and Father. Therefore let those hear who houghed this august bull: "Cursed be their anger, for it was stubborn; and their wrath, for it was hardened." But this people of the Jews dared to boast of houghing the bull: "Our hands shed this." For this is nothing different, I think, from the word of folly: "His blood" (be upon us), and so forth. Moses recalls the curse against Levi, or, rather converts it into a blessing, on account of the subsequent zeal of the tribe, and of Phinehas in particular, in behalf of God. But that against Simeon he did not recall. Wherefore it also was fulfilled in deed. […]
"And Joseph, who, by the apostles, was surnamed Barnabas," etc. Here are given examples of faithful and of deceitful people: Joseph, who was surnamed Barnabas, went away unhurt, because he brought the entire price; Ananias, on the other hand, and his wife Saphira, who kept …
The writer is now about to relate the affair of Ananias and Sapphira, and in order to show that the man's sin was of the worst description, he first mentions him who performed the virtuous deed; that, there being so great a multitude all doing the same, so great grace, so great miracles, he, taught by none of these, but blinded by covetousness, brought destruction upon his own head. "Having land," meaning that this was all he possessed, "sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the Apostles' feet."
"And Joses, who by the Apostles was surnamed Barnabas, which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation." I do not think that this is the same with the companion of Matthias; for that person was also called Justus and Barsabas, but this, Joses and "Barnabas" ["son of consolation"]. I suppose he also received the name from his virtue, as being qualified and suited for this duty. "A Levite, and of the country of Cyprus by birth." Observe on all occasions how the writer indicates the breaking up of the Law. But how was he also a "Cyprian by birth?" Because they then even removed to other countries, and still were called Levites. "Having land, sold it, and brought the price, and laid it at the Apostles' feet."
First, he recalls the one who had succeeded, namely Joseph, as a greater rebuke to Ananias, because with so many persons doing these things, and so many signs, and so great a grace, none of them was instructed by him. But the calling of Joseph …
11 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church4 voices
It seems to me that "Joseph" is not the same person who is mentioned together with Matthias (see Acts 1:23), because that one is also called Justus, while this one is called Barnabas, which means "son of consolation." It also seems to me that this …
Which means the Son of Consolation. Wherever the sacred Scriptures place the names of things or persons together with an interpretation, it undoubtedly signifies a more sacred meaning in those. He is rightly called the son of consolation, who, despising present things, is consoled by …
Joseph, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, which is interpreted as the son of consolation, a Levite of Cyprian origin, having land, sold it, etc. It is remarkable how this Barnabas, who was later ordained an apostle of the Gentiles with Paul, and after …
Joseph, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles. I think this Barnabas is the same who later is read to be ordained as an apostle to the Gentiles with Paul. Hence, because he was a Cypriot by birth, after separating from Paul, he returned …
The Reformation1 voice
Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the surname Barnabas, which in Aramaic means 'son of consolation
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
A son of consolation - Not only on account of his so largely assisting the poor with his fortune; but also of those peculiar gifts of the Spirit, whereby he was so well qualified both to comfort and to exhort.
And Joses,....
The apostles, Peter and John, went on in their work, and did not labour in vain. The Spirit enabled the ministers to do their part, and the people theirs. The preachers faithfully deliver the doctrine of Christ: They spoke unto the people, to all that were within hearing,
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
Joses - Or, Joseph, as many excellent MSS. read; but who he was, farther than what is here said, we know not. Surnamed Barnabas - Or, Barsabbas, according to the Coptic. The son of consolation - Υἱος παρακλησεως; As παρακλησις signifies exhortation, as well as consolation, and is indeed distinguished from the latter, 1Co 14:3, the original name was probably בר נבא Bar naba, or בר נביא Bar nebia, which signifies the son of prophecy or exhortation; and this is certainly one sense which prophecy has in the New Testament; and in this way Barnabas distinguished himself among the apostles.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Joses, &c.--This is specified merely as an eminent example of that spirit of generous sacrifice which pervaded all. son of consolation--no doubt so surnamed from the character of his ministry. a Levite--who, though as a tribe having no inheritance, might and did acquire property as individuals (De 18:8).
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
And Joses - Many manuscripts, instead of “Joses,” here read “Joseph.” The reasons why this individual is selected and specified particularly were, doubtless, because he was a foreigner; because it was a remarkable instance of liberality; and because he subsequently distinguished himself in the work of the ministry. He gave himself, his property, his all, to the service of the Lord Jesus, and went forth to the self-denying labors of the gospel. He is mentioned elsewhere with honor in the New Testament Act 11:24, Act 11:30, and usually as the companion of the apostle Paul. The occasion on which he became connected with Paul in the ministry was when he himself was sent forth by the church at Jerusalem to Antioch. There, it seems, he heard of the fame of Paul and went to Tarsus to seek him, and brought him with him to Antioch, Act 11:22-26. Before this he had been acquainted with him, and had introduced him to the other apostles at a time when they were afraid of Paul, and unwilling to acknowledge him as an apostle, Act 9:26-27. At Antioch, Barnabas was led into dissimulation by Peter in regard to the Gentiles, and was reproved by his friend and companion, Paul, Gal 2:13. He and Paul continued to travel in fellowship until a dispute arose at Antioch about Mark, and they separated, Paul going with Silas through Syria and Cilicia, and Barnabas, with Mark, sailing for his native place, Cyprus, Act 15:35-41. See the following places for particulars of his history: Act 11:22, Act 11:25, Act 11:30; Act 12:25; Act 13:1-2, Act 13:50; Act 14:12; Act 15:12; 1Co 9:6; Gal 2:1, Gal 2:9. Who by the apostles was surnamed ... - The practice of giving surnames, as expressive of character, was not uncommon. Thus, Simon was called Peter, or Cephas, Joh 1:44; and thus James and John were surnamed Boanerges, Mar 3:17. Barnabas, which is ... […]
The words behind it
17 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ἰωσὴφ | ioseph | Joseph | G2501 → | 35 times |
| δὲ | de | now | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| ὁ | ho | who | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἐπικληθεὶς | epikletheis | having been called | G1941 → | 30 times |
| Βαρναβᾶς | barnabas | Barnabas | G921 → | 28 times |
| ἀπὸ | apo | by | G575 → | 640 times |
| τῶν | ton | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἀποστόλων | apostolon | apostles | G652 → | 79 times |
| ὅ | ho | which | G3739 → | 1405 times |
| ἐστιν | estin | is | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| μεθερμηνευόμενον | methermeneuomenon | being translated | G3177 → | |
| υἱὸς | huios | Son | G5207 → | 377 times |
| παρακλήσεως, | parakleseos | of encouragement | G3874 → | 29 times |
| Λευίτης, | leuites | a Levite, | G3019 → | |
| Κύπριος | kuprios | a Cypriot | G2953 → | 3 times |
| τῷ | to | at the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| γένει, | genei | birth, | G1085 → | 20 times |
ἸωσὴφJoseph
iosephG2501 →35 times
δὲnow
deG1161 →2765 times
ὁwho
hoG3588 →19766 times
ἐπικληθεὶςhaving been called
epikletheisG1941 →30 times
ΒαρναβᾶςBarnabas
barnabasG921 →28 times
ἀπὸby
apoG575 →640 times
τῶνthe
tonG3588 →19766 times
ἀποστόλωνapostles
apostolonG652 →79 times
ὅwhich
hoG3739 →1405 times
ἐστινis
estinG1510 →2333 times
μεθερμηνευόμενονbeing translated
methermeneuomenonG3177 →
υἱὸςSon
huiosG5207 →377 times
παρακλήσεως,of encouragement
parakleseosG3874 →29 times
Λευίτης,a Levite,
leuitesG3019 →
Κύπριοςa Cypriot
kupriosG2953 →3 times
τῷat the
toG3588 →19766 times
γένει,birth,
geneiG1085 →20 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Galatians 2:13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- Hebrews 13:9
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to…
- 1 Corinthians 15:33
Through
Galatians 2:9And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and…
it leads to
- Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure…
- Revelation 3:12
The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the…
- Ephesians 3:8
Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
- Galatians 2:2
I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running…
- Romans 12:3
Through
Acts 12:25When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, bringing with them John, also called Mark.
it leads to
- Acts 12:12
And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.
- 1 Peter 5:13
The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.
- Acts 12:12
Where this verse is studied
About Acts
Who and where
3 names in this verse with a page on the site.
- PersonPatriarchsJosephThe rejected-then-exalted son — Genesis's great Christ-type; preserver of his family and of Egypt; the bridge into Exodus.
- PersonNew TestamentBarnabasThe Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles nicknamed son of encouragement; he vouched for Saul when nobody in Jerusalem would go nea…
- PlaceMediterraneanCyprusBarnabas's home island and the first stop of the first missionary journey, from Salamis to Paphos, where the proconsul Sergius Pau…
This page draws on 17 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Acts; Bede, Retractions on Acts; Cassiodorus, Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles; Erasmus of Rotterdam, Commentary (church-history corpus); Hippolytus of Rome, Hippolytus - Exegetical Fragments; J. A. Alexander, The Acts of the Apostles Explained; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Book on Hebrew Names, On the Acts of the Apostles, B; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 12; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 11; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on Acts and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.