Joseph called Barnabas
A student of Gamaliel, like others such as Stephen, Hermas, Saul (Paul)... He is a Jew of the Diaspora, born in Cyprus, at Kition. Consecrated to God from birth because he was a "Consolation to his parents" who, grateful to the Lord for him, entrusted him to relatives in Jerusalem (John called Mark, the evangelist, is his cousin) so that he would belong to the Temple. There, serving the House of God, he met the rabbi Gamaliel and became his attentive and beloved disciple:
"They called me Joseph because, like the old Joseph, I took away from my mother the pain of being barren. But my mother always said 'my Consolation' while nursing me, and I became Barnabas to all."He was definitively convinced by Jesus during the resurrection of Lazarus[1] and followed him discreetly during his exile in Samaria.[2] Then he followed him openly.[3]
Character and Appearance[edit | edit source]
A young man with an open face, generous and of great elevation of Soul.
Apostolic Journey[edit | edit source]
At the meeting of the 500 on Mount Tabor, he was chosen to be joined to the seventy-two.[4] Having become a disciple and companion of Paul, he is regarded as an apostle.
His Name[edit | edit source]
Joseph (Iosseph - Iehosseph) means "May God add!". Historical reference: the eleventh son of Jacob whom he had by Rachel. This favored son was sold by his brothers and became Pharaoh's steward.
Where is he mentioned in the work?[edit | edit source]
EMV 471 EMV 475EMV 548 EMV 569 EMV 570 EMV 571 EMV 581 EMV 592
EMV 634 EMV 635
Learn More About This Character[edit | edit source]
- The Church honors him as an apostle and evangelizer of the island of Cyprus. He is commemorated on June 11.
- Man known for his generosity (he sold all his goods for the benefit of the early Christian community), he was also a man of great elevation of Soul, endowed with influence (the inhabitants of Lystra took him for Jupiter). He is the one who convinces the community of Jerusalem of the real conversion of Paul, the former persecutor and like him a student of Gamaliel.
- He was Paul's evangelizing companion, with whom he eventually quarreled. According to tradition, he died stoned at Salamis (island in the Aegean Sea).
- Article that supports the confusion between Joseph Barsabbas, the just, and Joseph Barnabas (Barnabas). For Maria Valtorta, as for the Vulgate, these are indeed two different characters. See, on this subject, the article by Jean-François Lavère.
- Saint Barnabas in "The Golden Legend" by Jacobus de Voragine.[5]
- There exists in Greek an epistle called "of Barnabas" which is cited by Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and other ancient authors. Although very ancient, and accepted as authentic by some, it was not accepted by the Church among the canonical Scriptures.