Bible Verses About Barnabas

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),

sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

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.

At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so well that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

The people of the city were divided. Some sided with the Jews, and others with the apostles.

But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, set out to mistreat and stone them,

they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,

where they continued to preach the gospel.

Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates, hoping to offer a sacrifice along with the crowds.

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,

“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

In past generations, He let all nations go their own way.

Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

Even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could hardly stop the crowds from sacrificing to them.

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”

Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.

But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.

Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,

Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also.

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 or had already run in vain.