Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
Parallel translations
- 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,
- BSB Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),
- NKJV And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,
- NASB Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),
- NLT For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus nicknamed Barnabas, meaning Son of Encouragement, is introduced. He becomes a key figure later in Acts.
Overview
Barnabas is presented as a positive example of the generosity just described, in deliberate contrast to Ananias and Sapphira who follow. His name, 'Son of Encouragement,' fittingly describes his later ministry alongside Paul. This introduction prepares for his significant role in the mission of the church. He embodies the genuine, Spirit-led giving that springs from a heart transformed by the gospel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Gal 2:1Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.
- Gal 2:13And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
- Gal 2:9and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.
- Acts 15:39Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,
- Acts 11:22–25The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,
- Acts 11:30which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
- Acts 15:37Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.
- Acts 12:25Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John who was called Mark.
- Acts 21:16Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay.
- 1 Cor 9:6Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work?
- Acts 15:2Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
- Acts 11:19–20They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.
- Acts 15:12All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.
- Mark 3:17James the son of Zebedee; John, the brother of James, and he called them Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder;
- Acts 9:27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 4:36 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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