Acts 4:36 Meaning: Son of Encouragement
Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
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,
And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
And Joses, who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas--which is, having been interpreted, Son of Comfort--a Levite, of Cyprus by birth,
And Joseph, who had been surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (which is, being interpreted, Son of consolation), a Levite, Cyprian by birth,
Meaning in one sentence
Discover why Joses was renamed Barnabas, the meaning of 'Son of Encouragement,' and how his Levite background shaped his role in the early church.
Context
This verse appears right after the first Christians face opposition from religious leaders. The believers in Jerusalem are sharing everything they own, so no one goes without. Luke mentions a man named Joses as a specific example of this generosity: he sells a field and brings the money to the apostles. But Luke pauses to tell us something important about this man. The apostles called him Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement. He was a Levite, which meant he belonged to the tribe set apart for temple service, but he was also from Cyprus, an island far from Jerusalem. This detail hints at how the gospel was already moving beyond Jewish borders.
Key Words
A name can carry a whole story. The surname Barnabas comes from an Aramaic phrase the apostles gave to Joses. It means Son of Encouragement or Son of Consolation. The Greek word behind that title is paraklesis, a rich term that includes comforting someone who is hurting and also pushing someone forward with bold words. It is the same family of words used for the Holy Spirit as the Comforter or Advocate. Barnabas was not just someone who made people feel better. He was the kind of person who walked alongside you, spoke truth, and helped you take the next step. His nickname tells you what kind of man he was before you ever read another story about him.
How Christians Read This Verse
Different Christian traditions have emphasized different shades of Barnabas’s name. The King James Version calls him the son of consolation, highlighting comfort for the grieving. Other translations like the American Standard Version prefer son of exhortation, pointing to his gift for preaching and urging people forward. The seventeenth century Wesleyan commentator John Wesley blended both, saying Barnabas was well qualified both to comfort and to exhort. These are not contradictory. The Greek word paraklesis holds both meanings together. Barnabas was a man who could weep with the sorrowful and then call them to rise up and follow Jesus.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume that son of encouragement means Barnabas was only a gentle comforter, a soft presence when things went wrong. In fact, the same Greek word describes the Holy Spirit as one who exhorts and calls to action. Barnabas later risks his life to vouch for the newly converted Saul (Acts 9:27) and travels to Antioch to urge new believers to remain faithful with all their hearts (Acts 11:23). He brought comfort, but his comfort often carried a challenge.
Living This Out
This week, ask yourself what name the people around you would give you. Not a title, but a word that describes your real impact. Barnabas earned his nickname through action: he sold a field, he welcomed a former persecutor, he traveled to encourage strangers. You do not have to sell your house tomorrow. But you can look for the person in your life who feels invisible or unsure, and speak a word that strengthens them. That is how you become a son or daughter of encouragement too.
Main takeaway: Barnabas shows that God can transform a Levite from Cyprus into a son of encouragement whose generosity and courage strengthened the whole early church.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Barnabas had a special name. It meant son of encouragement. He sold a field to help other Christians. You can be an encourager too by saying something kind today.
For ages 9, 12
Barnabas started out as just Joses, a Levite from an island called Cyprus. But the apostles saw how he encouraged people, and they gave him a new name that described his character. He even helped a man named Saul become part of the church when everyone else was afraid. Your words and actions can give people courage just like Barnabas did.
Questions People Ask
What does the name Barnabas mean?
Barnabas means Son of Encouragement or Son of Consolation. The apostles gave this name to Joses because of his character. The Greek word behind it, paraklesis, includes both comforting and exhorting, so he was someone who strengthened others in every way.
Why does Luke mention that Barnabas was a Levite?
Levites were members of the tribe of Levi, the tribe set apart for temple service. The Old Testament says Levites did not receive a land inheritance in Israel, but individuals could still own property through purchase. Barnabas being a Levite from Cyprus shows that the gospel reached beyond Jerusalem and that he had resources to share.
Was Barnabas one of the twelve apostles?
The Bible does not count Barnabas among the twelve apostles, but he is called an apostle in a broader sense later (Acts 14:14). He worked closely with Paul, was sent out by the Holy Spirit, and served as a missionary. In Acts 4, he is just being introduced as a generous believer with a nickname.
Did Barnabas really own land even though Levites had no inheritance?
Yes. The command that Levites would not have a land inheritance applied to the distribution of Canaan among the tribes. Individual Levites could still buy property. Barnabas was from Cyprus, so his land was likely outside Israel, which made his selling it an especially generous act for the church in Jerusalem.
For pastors & researchers
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