Topical Encyclopedia
Barsabbas is a name associated with two individuals mentioned in the New Testament, both of whom played significant roles in the early Christian community. The name Barsabbas means "son of Sabbas" or "son of the Sabbath," indicating a possible connection to Jewish heritage or tradition.
1.
Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus):Joseph Barsabbas, also referred to as Justus, is mentioned in the Book of Acts as one of the candidates considered to replace Judas Iscariot as an apostle. After Judas' betrayal and subsequent death, the early church sought to fill the vacancy among the Twelve Apostles. In
Acts 1:23-26 , it is recorded:
"So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. And they prayed, 'Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.' Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles."
Joseph Barsabbas was evidently a respected member of the early Christian community, having been with Jesus from the time of His baptism by John until His ascension. Although he was not chosen to be one of the Twelve, his inclusion as a candidate highlights his faithfulness and dedication to the ministry of Jesus Christ.
2.
Judas called Barsabbas:Another individual named Barsabbas is Judas, who is mentioned in
Acts 15:22 as a leading figure in the Jerusalem church. During the Council of Jerusalem, which addressed the issue of Gentile converts and the observance of Mosaic Law, Judas Barsabbas was chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch with a letter from the apostles and elders. The passage states:
"Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two leaders among the brothers."
Judas Barsabbas, along with Silas, was entrusted with delivering the council's decision and encouraging the Gentile believers. His role as a messenger and leader underscores his importance in the early church and his commitment to fostering unity among believers.
Both individuals named Barsabbas exemplify the qualities of leadership, faithfulness, and dedication to the mission of the early church. Their contributions, though not extensively detailed in Scripture, reflect the broader community of disciples who played vital roles in the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the Christian faith.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
BarsabbasRevised Version of (Acts 1:23) for BAR'sABAS.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BARSABAS; BARSABBASbar'-sa-bas, bar-sab'-as.
SeeJOSEPH BARSABBAS;JUDAS BARSABBAS.
JOSEPH BARSABBAS
bar-sab'-as Barsabbas, or Barsabas; the King James Version Barsabas, bar'-sa-bas; for etymology, etc., of Joseph, see general article on JOSEPH): Joseph Barsabbas was surnamed Justus (Acts 1:23). Barsabbas was probably a patronymic, i.e. son of Sabba or Seba. Other interpretations given are "son of an oath," "son of an old man," "son of conversion," "son of quiet." It is likely that the "Judas called Barsabbas" ofActs 15:22 was his brother. Ewald considers that both names refer to the same person, but this is improbable.
Joseph was one of those who accompanied the apostles "all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us" (Acts 1:21, 22). At the meeting of the brethren under the presidency of Peter in Jerusalem shortly after the crucifixion, he was, therefore, proposed along with Matthias as a suitable candidate for the place in the apostleship left vacant by the treachery and death of Judas Iscariot; but was unsuccessful (Acts 1:15-26).
According to Eusebius (Historia Ecclesiastica, I, 12), Joseph was one of the 70 (Luke 10:1), and Papias records the oral tradition that he drank a cup of poison without harm (compareMark 16:18). The Acts of Paul, a work belonging to the 2nd century and first mentioned by Origen, relates that Barsabbas, Justus the Flatfoot and others were imprisoned by Nero for protesting their faith in Christ, but that upon a vision of the newly martyred Paul appearing to the emperor, he ordered their immediate release.
C. M. Kerr
JUDAS BARSABBAS
bar-sab-'as (Ioudas Barsabbas): Judas was, with Silas, a delegate from the church in Jerusalem to the GentileChristians of Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. They were appointed to convey the letter containing the decision of "the apostles and the elders, with the whole church" regarding the attitude to be taken by GentileChristians toward the Mosaic law, and also to explain "the same things by word of mouth." They accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, and, "being themselves also prophets," i.e. preachers, they not only handed over the epistle but stayed some time in the city preaching and teaching. They seem to have gone no farther than Antioch, for "they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth," and it was Paul and Silas who some time afterward strengthened the churches in Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:40, 41).
According toActs 15:34 the King James Version, Judas returned to Jerusalem without Silas, who remained at Antioch and afterward became Paul's companion (Acts 15:40). The oldest manuscripts, however, omitActs 15:34, and it is therefore omitted from the Revised Version (British and American). It was probably a marginal note to explainActs 15:40, and in time it crept into the text. Judas and Silas are called "chief men among the brethren" (15:22), probably elders, and "prophets" (15:32).
Barsabbas being a patronymic, Judas was probably the brother of Joseph Barsabbas. He cannot be identified with any other Judas, e.g. "Judas not Iscariot" (John 14:22). We hear no more of Judas after his return to Jerusalem (Acts 15:22).
S. F. Hunter
Greek
923.Barsabbas -- "son of Sabba,"Barsabbas, the surname of two...... 922, 923.
Barsabbas. 924 . "son of Sabba,"
Barsabbas, the surname of
two Israelites Christian. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
...2459. Ioustos -- Justus, the name of three Christians
... Masculine Transliteration: Ioustos Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ooce'-tos) Short Definition:
Justus Definition: Justus, (a) a surname of JosephBarsabbas, one of the...
Library
The Writings of Papias.
... And he tells another wonderful story of Justus, surnamedBarsabbas: that he drank
a deadly poison, and yet, by the grace of the Lord, suffered no harm. 10....
The Church History of Eusebius. Index of Subjects.
The life of constantine. <....
The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles.
... to send men chosen from among our own selves, with Barnabas, and Paul of Tarsus,
the apostle of the Gentiles, and Judas who was calledBarsabbas, and Silas...
Paul Before his Conversion.
... There are many similar instances of double names among the Jews of that time, as
Hillel and Pollio, Cephas and Peter, John and Mark,Barsabbas and Justus...
The Synod of Jerusalem, and the Compromise Between Jewish and...
... decree was delivered by four special messengers, two representing the church at
Antioch, Barnabas and Paul, and two from Jerusalem, JudasBarsabbas and Silas...
Thesaurus
Barsabbas (2 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BARSABAS;
BARSABBAS. bar'-sa-bas,
bar-sab'-as. See JOSEPH
BARSABBAS; JUDAS
BARSABBAS. JOSEPH
BARSABBAS.
...Matthias (2 Occurrences)
... ma-thi'-as (Matthias, or Maththias; Mattithyah, "given of Yah"): Matthias was the
one upon whom the lot fell when he, along with JosephBarsabbas, was put...
Barsabas (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BARSABAS;BARSABBAS. bar'-sa-bas, bar-sab'-as.
See JOSEPHBARSABBAS; JUDASBARSABBAS. Multi-Version Concordance...
Surname (11 Occurrences)
... Acts 10:5, 32; Acts 11:13); of Mark-John whose surname was Mark (Acts 12:12, 25;
Acts 15:37); of Judas-surnamed Iscariot (Luke 22:3); ofBarsabbas-who was...
Justus (3 Occurrences)
... jus'-tus (Ioustos): There are three of this name mentioned in the New Testament.
(1) It was the Roman surname of JOSEPHBARSABBAS (which see) (Acts 1:23)....
Judas (42 Occurrences)
... J. Hutchinson. JUDASBARSABBAS. bar-sab-'as... 15:32).Barsabbas being a patronymic,
Judas was probably the brother of JosephBarsabbas. He...
Juda (11 Occurrences)
... A house is pointed out as his, in a lane off the Straight Street. (7) Judas
Barsabbas (Acts 15:22, 27, 32; see separate article). SF Hunter....
Poison (17 Occurrences)
... In this connection the story in Eusebius (Historia Ecclesiastica, III, 39) is
interesting, that "Justus surnamedBarsabbas, though he drank a deadly poison...
Bar-sabbas (2 Occurrences)
Bar-sabbas.Barsabbas, Bar-sabbas. Barsab'bas . Multi-Version Concordance
Bar-sabbas (2 Occurrences)....Barsabbas, Bar-sabbas. Barsab'bas . Reference Bible
Bar (27 Occurrences)
... of persons. Compare Barabbas; Bar-Jesus; Bar-Jonah; Barnabas;Barsabbas;
Bartholomew; Bartimeus. See BEN. BAR (2). bar (substantive...
Resources
Was Matthias or Paul God's choice to replace Judas as the 12th apostle? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the biblical qualifications for apostleship? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the 70 (or 72) disciples in Luke 10? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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