New Testament · 1st century
Barnabas
Who was Barnabas?
Barnabas was an early church leader nicknamed “son of encouragement” who vouched for Paul and traveled with him.
RoleEncourager and missionary companion of Paul
Era1st century
NicknameSon of encouragement
BefriendedPaul
MentoredJohn Mark
Generous from the start, Barnabas sold a field and laid the money at the apostles’ feet. When the new convert Saul was feared by the church, it was Barnabas who took him in and vouched for him.
He and Paul were sent out together on the first missionary journey, and Barnabas later gave a second chance to John Mark when Paul would not.
His name, “son of encouragement,” captures a ministry of lifting others up.
Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)
Acts 4:36 “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),” Acts 9:27 “Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who spoke to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus.”
Related people
Original BibleDawn profile. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Scripture quoted from the public-domain Berean Standard Bible.