NEW TESTAMENT

Judas Barsabas. Chosen at Jerusalem with Silas to carry the apostles’ letter to Antioch, where he exhorted and confirmed the brethren.

SCRIPTURE SAYS

“Being prophets also themselves” (Acts 15:32): one of the “chief men among the brethren” (Acts 15:22)

ERA

New Testament AD 1–60

IN THE DAYS OF

No ruler named beside him

BOOK

None bears the name

HOW THE WORD CAME

Acts 15 · Chosen and sent

THE CALL

How the word first came

ACTS 15 · CHOSEN AND SENT

“Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:”

Acts 15:22 (KJV) →

HOW THE WORD KEPT COMING

  • The letter he carried said the two “shall also tell you the same things by mouth.” Acts 15:27
  • From the textActs calls Judas and Silas prophets and says what they did, not what they said: they “exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.” Acts 15:32

THE MESSAGE

The word in its main themes

The letter from Jerusalem

“For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;”

Acts 15:28 (KJV) →

THE WORD TO …

To whom the word was spoken

TO THE BRETHREN AT ANTIOCH

“exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.”

Acts 15:32 (KJV) →

COMPANIONS AND OPPONENTS

Who stood with him, and against him

Silas

Paul

Barnabas

Joseph called Barsabas

HOW THE STORY ENDS

Scripture says, tradition says

SCRIPTURE SAYS

  • “After they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.” Acts names him no more. Acts 15:33
  • Scholars' viewThe KJV goes on, “Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still” (Acts 15:34). Barnes notes that this verse “is missing in many mss.”, and Lumby suggests it began as a note to explain Acts 15:40. Acts 15:34 Acts 15:40 [76][77]

TRADITION SAYS

No tradition is recorded here.

OPEN QUESTIONS

Where readers have differed

Probably his brother

Matthew Poole (1683–1685); E. H. Plumptre (Ellicott’s commentary); Grotius and Wolf (as reported by Meyer)

Lumby calls Barsabas a patronymic, a name from the father; Plumptre: “It is a natural inference that the two were brothers”, and so that Judas had been among the Lord’s followers. Poole states it outright. Acts 1:23 Acts 15:22 [70][69][71][73]

It cannot be shown

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown (1871); H. A. W. Meyer; J. R. Lumby (Cambridge Bible, 1885), who calls it a conjecture

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown: “nor can it be shown that he was a brother of ‘Joseph called Barsabas’”; “nothing is known of him beyond what is here said.” Acts 15:22 [72][71][73]

Perhaps the same man

Albert Barnes, as a possibility; H. Ewald (as reported by Knowling, 1900)

Barnes: “Possibly the same who was nominated to the vacant place in the apostleship”; Knowling reports that Ewald “thinks that he was actually identical with him”. Acts 1:23 Acts 15:22 [74][75]

IN SCRIPTURE

Every passage

CHAPTERS · 2

Acts 1 Acts 15

PASSAGES · 2

Acts 1:23 Acts 15:22–35

WHAT SCRIPTURE DOES NOT SAY

  • Acts records none of his words.
  • Scripture does not say what became of him after he returned from Antioch.

SOURCES

Where this page comes from

  • A. Plummer, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to S. Luke (International Critical Commentary) (1896), on Luke 3:1, pp. 81-84.
  • W. M. Ramsay, Was Christ Born at Bethlehem? A Study on the Credibility of St. Luke (1898), ch. XI, pp. 227-245.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Notes on Luke 2:2 and 3:1 (about 1880), read on Bible Hub.
  • Origen, tr. Allan Menzies, Commentary on the Gospel of John, book 6 (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 9) (1896), 6.24.
  • Jerome, tr. W. H. Fremantle, G. Lewis and W. G. Martley, Letter 108, to Eustochium (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 6) (1893), 108.13; the translators date the letter to AD 404.
  • Theodoret, tr. Blomfield Jackson, Ecclesiastical History, book 3 (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 3) (1892), 3.3.
  • tr. Alexander Walker, The Protevangelium of James (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 8) (1886), chs. 22–24.
  • The Catholic Encyclopedia, "Apocrypha", vol. 1 (1907), section on the Protoevangelium Jacobi.
  • tr. J. H. MacMahon, "The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles", in the appendix of "dubious and spurious pieces" printed with the works of Hippolytus (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 5) (1886), nos. 32 and 44 (New Advent titles its page "Pseudo-Hippolytus").
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Matthew 3:4 (about 1878), note on Matthew 3:4; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Matthew 3:4; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Matthew 11:3 (about 1878), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. B. Bruce, The Expositor's Greek Testament: Matthew (1897), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Carr, The Gospel according to St Matthew (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1878), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St Matthew (1880–1897), note on Matthew 11:3; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Matthew 17:11 (about 1878), note on Matthew 17:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of Matthew (English translation) (1879), note on Matthew 17:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St Matthew (1880–1897), note on Matthew 17:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Mark 1:2 (about 1878), note on Mark 1:2; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Mark 1:2; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St Mark (1880–1897), note on Mark 1:2; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Luke 2:25 (about 1878), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospels of Mark and Luke (English translation) (1880), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • F. W. Farrar, The Gospel according to St Luke (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • Joseph Benson, Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818), note on Luke 2:25; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Luke 2:37 (about 1878), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. B. Bruce, The Expositor's Greek Testament: Luke (1897), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • M. R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887), note on Luke 2:37; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of John (English translation) (1874–1875), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Plummer, The Gospel according to St John (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on John 1:21; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. W. Watkins, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on John 1:28 (about 1879), note on John 1:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 1:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on John 1:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 1:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of John (English translation) (1874–1875), note on John 1:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Plummer, The Gospel according to St John (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on John 1:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Gospel of John (English translation) (1874–1875), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. Plummer, The Gospel according to St John (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1880), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), The Pulpit Commentary: St John (1880–1897), note on John 3:31; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 11:28; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Acts 13:1 (about 1880), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. J. Knowling, The Acts of the Apostles (Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2) (1900), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • A. C. Hervey, Acts (Pulpit Commentary) (1884), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. R. Lumby, The Acts of the Apostles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1885), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • M. R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 13:1; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • M. R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. J. Knowling, The Acts of the Apostles (Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2) (1900), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. A. Bengel, Gnomon of the New Testament (Latin 1742; English translation) (1742), note on Acts 13:8; read on Bible Hub.
  • E. H. Plumptre, in C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers, Note on Acts 15:22 (about 1880), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. R. Lumby, The Acts of the Apostles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1885), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. J. Knowling, The Acts of the Apostles (Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 2) (1900), note on Acts 15:22; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 15:34; read on Bible Hub.
  • J. R. Lumby, The Acts of the Apostles (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1885), note on Acts 15:34; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 21:10; read on Bible Hub.
  • H. A. W. Meyer, Critical and Exegetical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles (English translation) (1877–1879), note on Acts 21:10; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 21:10; read on Bible Hub.
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Whole Bible (1871), note on Acts 21:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Acts 21:11; read on Bible Hub.
  • Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament (1832–1851), note on Acts 21:11; read on Bible Hub.

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