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,
YLT: And Joses, who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas -- which is, having been interpreted, Son of Comfort -- a Levite, of Cyprus by birth,
Darby: And Joseph, who had been surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (which is, being interpreted, Son of consolation), a Levite, Cyprian by birth,
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,
His given Jewish name was Joseph, but people called him by his Jewish nickname (cognomen), Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement" (Gr. huios parakleseos). The Jews often called a person "son of ___" to denote his or her characteristics (e.g, "son of Beliel"). They probably did so because Barnabas was a constant positive influence on those around him, as further references to him in Acts will demonstrate (cf. Acts 9:27; Acts 11:22-30; Acts 13:1 to Acts 14:28; Acts 15:2-4; Acts 15:12; Acts 15:22; Acts 15:36-41; 1 Corinthians 9:6). [1] Luke probably mentioned that he was a Levite just to identify him more specifically, not to throw a cloud of suspicion over him. The Mosaic Law forbade Levites from owning property in the Promised Land ( Numbers 18:24). [source][source][source]
". . . the rule was no longer rigidly adhered to, and would not have applied to those living overseas." [2][source]
Levites had connections to the temple, but not everyone with temple connections opposed the apostles (cf. Acts 4:1). Barnabas had lived on the island of Cyprus at some time, though he had relatives in Jerusalem, namely, John Mark , Mark"s mother, and perhaps others (cf. Acts 12:12; Colossians 4:10). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Acts 4:36-37 - Lying To The Holy Spirit
The Spirit of God is the source of generous and liberal giving. It is a poor substitute to set up bazaars, and fairs, and ice cream suppers. When the Church is filled with the Holy Spirit, her pockets will be easily emptied before His gracious, thawing presence. Let the sun arise in the heavens, and the frozen streams are instantly liberated and begin to sing on their way to transform wildernesses into gardens.
Mark the contrast between Ananias and Barnabas. The same phrases are applied to each. The sin of Ananias was not in keeping back part of the purchase money, but in pretending to have brought all to the Apostle. He wished to pose as a saint, and at the same time to line his own nest. In the act of consecration, we must not allow one corner for Satan or selfishness to possess, because instantly we shall have to concede the right of way, and a thoroughfare will be opened, along which all manner of contraband may be smuggled in. Peter had no doubt as to the personality of the Holy Spirit. You cannot lie to an influence! Note the interchange of Holy Spirit and God in Acts 4:3-4. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 4
1The rulers of the Jews, offended with Peter's sermon, 3imprison him and John 5After, upon examination 8Peter boldly avouching the lame man to be healed by the name of Jesus, 11and that only by the same Jesus we must be eternally saved, 13they threaten him and John to preach no more in that name, 23whereupon the church flees to prayer 31And God, by moving the place where they were assembled, testifies that he heard their prayer; 34confirming the church with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and with mutual love and charity
Greek Commentary for Acts 4:36
Barnabas [αρναβας] His name was Joseph (correct text, and not Jesus) and he is mentioned as one illustration of those in Acts 4:34 who selling brought the money. The apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas by which later he was known because of this noble deed. This fact argues that all did not actually sell, but were ready to do so if needed. Possibly Joseph had a larger estate than some others also. The meaning of the nickname is given by Luke as “son of consolation or exhortation” Doubtless his gifts as a preacher lay along this same line. Rackham thinks that the apostles gave him this name when he was recognized as a prophet. In Acts 11:23 the very word παρεκαλει parekalei (exhorted) is used of Barnabas up at Antioch. He is the type of preacher described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:3. Encouragement is the chief idea in παρακλησις paraklēsis though exhortation, comfort, consolation are used to render it (Acts 9:31; Acts 13:15; Acts 15:31). See also Acts 16:9; Acts 20:12. It is not necessary to think that the apostles coined the name Barnabas for Joseph which originally may have come from αρνεβους Barnebous (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 308-10), son of Nebo, or even the Hebrew Bar Nebi (son of a prophet). But, whatever the origin, the popular use is given by Luke. He was even called apostle along with Paul (Acts 14:14) in the broad sense of that word. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 4:36
Acts 11:22Of the church which was in Jerusalem [της εκκλησιας της εν Ιερουσαλημ] Not yet was the term “church” applied to the group of disciples in Antioch as it is in Acts 11:26; Acts 13:1. They sent forth (εχαπεστειλαν exapesteilan). First aorist active indicative of the double compound verb εχαποστελλω eẋapȯstellō to send out and away. The choice of Barnabas was eminently wise. He already had a position of leadership in Jerusalem because of his generosity (Acts 4:36.) and his championship of Saul after his conversion (Acts 9:27). He was originally from Cyprus and probably had personal friends among some of the leaders in this new movement. He was to investigate the work of the travelling preachers (Acts 11:19) all the way to Antioch (εως Αντιοχειας heōs Antiocheias). [source]
Acts 11:22They sent forth [εχαπεστειλαν] First aorist active indicative of the double compound verb εχαποστελλω eẋapȯstellō to send out and away. The choice of Barnabas was eminently wise. He already had a position of leadership in Jerusalem because of his generosity (Acts 4:36.) and his championship of Saul after his conversion (Acts 9:27). He was originally from Cyprus and probably had personal friends among some of the leaders in this new movement. He was to investigate the work of the travelling preachers (Acts 11:19) all the way to Antioch (εως Αντιοχειας heōs Antiocheias). [source]
Acts 11:23He exhorted [παρεκαλει] Imperfect active, picturing the continuous encouragement from Barnabas. With purpose of heart (τηι προτεσει της καρδιας tēi prothesei tēs kardias). Placing before (from προτιτημι prȯtithēmi), old word for set plan as in Acts 27:13; Romans 8:28. The glow of the first enthusiasm might pass as often happens after a revival. Barnabas had a special gift (Acts 4:36) for work like this. Cleave unto the Lord Dative case (locative if εν en is genuine) of κυριος kurios (here Jesus again) after προσεμενειν prosemenein to keep on remaining loyal to (present active infinitive). Persistence was needed in such a pagan city. [source]
Acts 11:23With purpose of heart [τηι προτεσει της καρδιας] Placing before (from προτιτημι prȯtithēmi), old word for set plan as in Acts 27:13; Romans 8:28. The glow of the first enthusiasm might pass as often happens after a revival. Barnabas had a special gift (Acts 4:36) for work like this. [source]
Acts 12:12To the house of Mary [επι την οικιαν της Μαριας] Another Mary (the others were Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, Mary wife of Cleopas, Mary the mother of James and Joses). She may have been a widow and was possessed of some means since her house was large enough to hold the large group of disciples there. Barnabas, cousin of John Mark her son (Colossians 4:10), was also a man of property or had been (Acts 4:36.). It is probable that the disciples had been in the habit of meeting in her house, a fact known to Peter and he was evidently fond of John Mark whom he afterwards calls “my son” (1 Peter 5:13) and whom he had met here. The upper room of Acts 1:13 may have been in Mary‘s house and Mark may have been the man bearing a pitcher of water (Luke 22:10) and the young man who fled in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:51.). There was a gate and portress here as in the house of the highpriest (John 18:16). Peter knew where to go and even at this early hour hoped to find some of the disciples. Mary is one of the many mothers who have become famous by reason of their sons, though she was undoubtedly a woman of high character herself. Were gathered together and were praying (ησαν συνητροισμενοι και προσευχομενοι ēsan sunēthroisōmenoi kai proseuchomenoi). Note difference in the tenses, one periphrastic past perfect passive (συνατροιζω sunathroizō old verb, in the N.T. here only and Acts 19:25 and the uncompounded τροιζω throizō in Luke 24:33) and the periphrastic imperfect. The praying apparently had been going on all night and a large number (many, ικανοι hikanoi) of the disciples were there. One recalls the time when they had gathered to pray (Acts 4:31) after Peter had told the disciples of the threats of the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:23). God had rescued Peter then. Would he let him be put to death now as James had been? [source]
Acts 13:10Thou son of the devil [υιε διαβολου] Damning phrase like that used by Jesus of the Pharisees in John 8:44, a slanderer like the διαβολος diabolos This use of son (υιος huios) for characteristic occurs in Acts 3:25; Acts 4:36, a common Hebrew idiom, and may be used purposely by Paul in contrast with the name Barjesus (son of Jesus) that Elymas bore (Acts 13:6). [source]
Acts 13:10All villainy [πασης ραιδιουργιας] Late compound from ραιδιουργος rhāidiourgos So levity in Xenophon and unscrupulousness in Polybius, Plutarch, and the papyri. Only here in the N.T., though the kindred word ραιδιουργημα rhāidiourgēma occurs in Acts 18:14. With deadly accuracy Paul pictured this slick rascal. Thou son of the devil (υιε διαβολου huie diabolou). Damning phrase like that used by Jesus of the Pharisees in John 8:44, a slanderer like the διαβολος diabolos This use of son (υιος huios) for characteristic occurs in Acts 3:25; Acts 4:36, a common Hebrew idiom, and may be used purposely by Paul in contrast with the name Barjesus (son of Jesus) that Elymas bore (Acts 13:6). Enemy of all righteousness Personal enemy to all justice, sums up all the rest. Note triple use of “all” An impatient rhetorical question, almost volitive in force (Robertson, Grammar, p. 874). Note διαστρεπων ou not τας οδους του κυριου τας ευτειας mē To pervert Present active participle describing the actual work of Elymas as a perverter or distorter (see Acts 13:8). More exactly, Wilt thou not cease perverting? The right ways of the Lord (tas hodous tou kuriou tas eutheias). The ways of the Lord the straight ones as opposed to the crooked ways of men (Isaiah 40:4; Isaiah 42:16; Luke 3:5). The task of John the Baptist as of all prophets and preachers is to make crooked paths straight and to get men to walk in them. This false prophet was making even the Lord‘s straight ways crooked. Elymas has many successors. [source]
Acts 9:27Took him [επιλαβομενος] Second aorist middle (indirect) participle of επιλαμβανω epilambanō common verb to lay hold of. Barnabas saw the situation and took Saul to himself and listened to his story and believed it. It is to the credit of Barnabas that he had the insight and the courage to stand by Saul at the crucial moment in his life when the evidence seemed to be against him. It is a pleasing hypothesis that this influential disciple from Cyprus had gone to the University of Tarsus where he met Saul. If so, he would know more of him than those who only knew his record as a persecutor of Christians. That fact Barnabas knew also, but he was convinced that Jesus had changed the heart of Saul and he used his great influence (Acts 4:36; Acts 11:22) to win the favour of the apostles, Peter in particular (Galatians 1:19) and James the half-brother of Jesus. The other apostles were probably out of the city as Paul says that he did not see them. [source]
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Βαρναβᾶς
Sense: the surname of Joses or Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus He was a distinguished Christian teacher and companion and colleague of Paul.
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: μεθερμηνεύω
Sense: to translate into the language of one with whom I wish to communicate, to interpret.
Greek Commentary for Acts 4:36
His name was Joseph (correct text, and not Jesus) and he is mentioned as one illustration of those in Acts 4:34 who selling brought the money. The apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas by which later he was known because of this noble deed. This fact argues that all did not actually sell, but were ready to do so if needed. Possibly Joseph had a larger estate than some others also. The meaning of the nickname is given by Luke as “son of consolation or exhortation” Doubtless his gifts as a preacher lay along this same line. Rackham thinks that the apostles gave him this name when he was recognized as a prophet. In Acts 11:23 the very word παρεκαλει parekalei (exhorted) is used of Barnabas up at Antioch. He is the type of preacher described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:3. Encouragement is the chief idea in παρακλησις paraklēsis though exhortation, comfort, consolation are used to render it (Acts 9:31; Acts 13:15; Acts 15:31). See also Acts 16:9; Acts 20:12. It is not necessary to think that the apostles coined the name Barnabas for Joseph which originally may have come from αρνεβους Barnebous (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 308-10), son of Nebo, or even the Hebrew Bar Nebi (son of a prophet). But, whatever the origin, the popular use is given by Luke. He was even called apostle along with Paul (Acts 14:14) in the broad sense of that word. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 4:36
Not yet was the term “church” applied to the group of disciples in Antioch as it is in Acts 11:26; Acts 13:1. They sent forth (εχαπεστειλαν exapesteilan). First aorist active indicative of the double compound verb εχαποστελλω eẋapȯstellō to send out and away. The choice of Barnabas was eminently wise. He already had a position of leadership in Jerusalem because of his generosity (Acts 4:36.) and his championship of Saul after his conversion (Acts 9:27). He was originally from Cyprus and probably had personal friends among some of the leaders in this new movement. He was to investigate the work of the travelling preachers (Acts 11:19) all the way to Antioch (εως Αντιοχειας heōs Antiocheias). [source]
First aorist active indicative of the double compound verb εχαποστελλω eẋapȯstellō to send out and away. The choice of Barnabas was eminently wise. He already had a position of leadership in Jerusalem because of his generosity (Acts 4:36.) and his championship of Saul after his conversion (Acts 9:27). He was originally from Cyprus and probably had personal friends among some of the leaders in this new movement. He was to investigate the work of the travelling preachers (Acts 11:19) all the way to Antioch (εως Αντιοχειας heōs Antiocheias). [source]
Imperfect active, picturing the continuous encouragement from Barnabas. With purpose of heart (τηι προτεσει της καρδιας tēi prothesei tēs kardias). Placing before (from προτιτημι prȯtithēmi), old word for set plan as in Acts 27:13; Romans 8:28. The glow of the first enthusiasm might pass as often happens after a revival. Barnabas had a special gift (Acts 4:36) for work like this. Cleave unto the Lord Dative case (locative if εν en is genuine) of κυριος kurios (here Jesus again) after προσεμενειν prosemenein to keep on remaining loyal to (present active infinitive). Persistence was needed in such a pagan city. [source]
Placing before (from προτιτημι prȯtithēmi), old word for set plan as in Acts 27:13; Romans 8:28. The glow of the first enthusiasm might pass as often happens after a revival. Barnabas had a special gift (Acts 4:36) for work like this. [source]
Another Mary (the others were Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, Mary wife of Cleopas, Mary the mother of James and Joses). She may have been a widow and was possessed of some means since her house was large enough to hold the large group of disciples there. Barnabas, cousin of John Mark her son (Colossians 4:10), was also a man of property or had been (Acts 4:36.). It is probable that the disciples had been in the habit of meeting in her house, a fact known to Peter and he was evidently fond of John Mark whom he afterwards calls “my son” (1 Peter 5:13) and whom he had met here. The upper room of Acts 1:13 may have been in Mary‘s house and Mark may have been the man bearing a pitcher of water (Luke 22:10) and the young man who fled in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:51.). There was a gate and portress here as in the house of the highpriest (John 18:16). Peter knew where to go and even at this early hour hoped to find some of the disciples. Mary is one of the many mothers who have become famous by reason of their sons, though she was undoubtedly a woman of high character herself. Were gathered together and were praying (ησαν συνητροισμενοι και προσευχομενοι ēsan sunēthroisōmenoi kai proseuchomenoi). Note difference in the tenses, one periphrastic past perfect passive (συνατροιζω sunathroizō old verb, in the N.T. here only and Acts 19:25 and the uncompounded τροιζω throizō in Luke 24:33) and the periphrastic imperfect. The praying apparently had been going on all night and a large number (many, ικανοι hikanoi) of the disciples were there. One recalls the time when they had gathered to pray (Acts 4:31) after Peter had told the disciples of the threats of the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:23). God had rescued Peter then. Would he let him be put to death now as James had been? [source]
Damning phrase like that used by Jesus of the Pharisees in John 8:44, a slanderer like the διαβολος diabolos This use of son (υιος huios) for characteristic occurs in Acts 3:25; Acts 4:36, a common Hebrew idiom, and may be used purposely by Paul in contrast with the name Barjesus (son of Jesus) that Elymas bore (Acts 13:6). [source]
Late compound from ραιδιουργος rhāidiourgos So levity in Xenophon and unscrupulousness in Polybius, Plutarch, and the papyri. Only here in the N.T., though the kindred word ραιδιουργημα rhāidiourgēma occurs in Acts 18:14. With deadly accuracy Paul pictured this slick rascal. Thou son of the devil (υιε διαβολου huie diabolou). Damning phrase like that used by Jesus of the Pharisees in John 8:44, a slanderer like the διαβολος diabolos This use of son (υιος huios) for characteristic occurs in Acts 3:25; Acts 4:36, a common Hebrew idiom, and may be used purposely by Paul in contrast with the name Barjesus (son of Jesus) that Elymas bore (Acts 13:6). Enemy of all righteousness Personal enemy to all justice, sums up all the rest. Note triple use of “all” An impatient rhetorical question, almost volitive in force (Robertson, Grammar, p. 874). Note διαστρεπων ou not τας οδους του κυριου τας ευτειας mē To pervert Present active participle describing the actual work of Elymas as a perverter or distorter (see Acts 13:8). More exactly, Wilt thou not cease perverting? The right ways of the Lord (tas hodous tou kuriou tas eutheias). The ways of the Lord the straight ones as opposed to the crooked ways of men (Isaiah 40:4; Isaiah 42:16; Luke 3:5). The task of John the Baptist as of all prophets and preachers is to make crooked paths straight and to get men to walk in them. This false prophet was making even the Lord‘s straight ways crooked. Elymas has many successors. [source]
Second aorist middle (indirect) participle of επιλαμβανω epilambanō common verb to lay hold of. Barnabas saw the situation and took Saul to himself and listened to his story and believed it. It is to the credit of Barnabas that he had the insight and the courage to stand by Saul at the crucial moment in his life when the evidence seemed to be against him. It is a pleasing hypothesis that this influential disciple from Cyprus had gone to the University of Tarsus where he met Saul. If so, he would know more of him than those who only knew his record as a persecutor of Christians. That fact Barnabas knew also, but he was convinced that Jesus had changed the heart of Saul and he used his great influence (Acts 4:36; Acts 11:22) to win the favour of the apostles, Peter in particular (Galatians 1:19) and James the half-brother of Jesus. The other apostles were probably out of the city as Paul says that he did not see them. [source]
Aimed at the heart and will. See on consolation, Luke 6:24. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:3; Acts 4:36, where Rev. gives son of exhortation. [source]
Lit. to be surnamed. Comp. Acts 4:36; Acts 10:5, Acts 10:18, Acts 10:32. God was called the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. See Exodus 3:6. [source]