Acts 9:27 · Bible study
Acts 9:27 Commentary: Barnabas, Son of Encouragement
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Jerusalem disciples distrust Saul? Barnabas' testimony overcame fear and suspicion, securing Saul's place among the apostles.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Barnabas's testimony secured Saul's acceptance by the apostles.
- Key words: ἐπιλαβόμενος 'having taken hold of'; διηγήσατο 'related fully'; ἐπαρρησιάσατο 'preached boldly'.
- Main debate: Why had news of Saul's conversion not reached Jerusalem in three years? (Communication difficulties vs. possible suppression.)
- Theological theme: Mediation and reconciliation within the body of Christ.
- Best use: Illustrating the power of personal testimony and the role of encouragers in church life.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who spoke to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus.
WEB World English Bible 2000
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
KJV King James Version 1769
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and Barnabas having taken him, brought him unto the apostles, and did declare to them how in the way he saw the Lord, and that he spake to him, and how in Damascus he was speaking boldly in the name of Jesus.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and told them how he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him: and how in Damascus he had dealt confidently in the name of Jesus.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Entonces Bernabé, tomándole|strong="G1949, G0846", lo trajo á los apóstoles, y contóles|strong="G1334, G0846" cómo había visto al Señor en el camino, y que le había hablado, y cómo en Damasco había hablado confiadamente en el nombre de Jesús.
Mas Barnabás, tomando-o consigo, trouxe -o aos apóstolos, e contou-lhes como no caminho tinha visto ao Senhor, e tinha lhe falado, e como em Damasco tinha falado ousadamente no nome de Jesus.
Alors Barnabas, l’ ayant pris avec lui, le conduisit vers les apôtres, et leur raconta comment sur le chemin Saul avait vu le Seigneur, qui lui avait parlé, et comment à Damas il avait prêché franchement au nom de Jésus.
Barnabas aber nahm ihn zu sich und führte ihn zu den Aposteln und erzählte ihnen, wie er auf der Straße den HERRN gesehen und er mit ihm geredet und wie er zu Damaskus den Namen Jesus frei gepredigt hätte.
Maar Barnabas, hem tot zich nemende, leidde hem tot de apostelen, en verhaalde hun, hoe hij op den weg den Heere gezien had, en dat Hij tot hem gesproken had; en hoe hij te Damaskus vrijmoediglijk gesproken had in den Naam van Jezus.
Ma Barnaba, presolo con sé, lo menò agli apostoli, e raccontò loro come per cammino avea veduto il Signore e il Signore gli avea parlato, e come in Damasco avea predicato con franchezza nel nome di Gesù.
Lecz Barnabasz wziąwszy go, przywiódł go do Apostołów i powiadał im, jako w drodze widział Pana, a iż mówił do niego, i jako w Damaszku bezpiecznie mówił w imieniu Jezusowem.
Варнава же, взяв его, пришел к Апостолам и рассказал им, как на пути он видел Господа, и что говорил ему Господь, и как он в Дамаске смело проповедывал во имя Иисуса.
惟有 巴拿巴 接待 他，領去 見 使徒， 把他在 路 上怎麼 看見 主， 主怎麼向他 說話， 他在 大馬士革 怎麼 奉 耶穌 的名 放膽傳道，都 述說出來。
But Barnabas took him to the Apostles and gave them an account of how he had seen the Lord on the road, and had given hearing to his words, and how at Damascus he had been preaching in the name of Jesus without fear.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Acts 9:27
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Barnabas acted as the essential mediator between Saul and the apostles. Barnes, Gill, and the Cambridge Bible all note that Barnabas brought Saul to Peter and James, the only apostles then in Jerusalem, as Paul later confirms (Galatians 1:18-19). Barnabas declared three facts: Saul had seen the Lord on the road, the Lord had spoken to him, and at Damascus he preached boldly in Jesus' name. Vincent's Word Studies highlights the verb διηγήσατο (diēgēsato), meaning 'related throughout,' indicating a full, detailed account. Several commentators (Lange, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) suggest a prior acquaintance between Barnabas and Saul, both being Hellenistic Jews from nearby regions, Cyprus and Cilicia. The unanimous point: Barnabas's testimony satisfied the apostles that Saul's conversion was genuine, enabling him to 'come in and go out among them' (Acts 9:28).
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Communication gap theory: Emphasizes practical obstacles: slow travel, political strife, no news infrastructure (Clarke, Barnes). This view sees the gap as normal for the time.
- Deliberate suppression theory: Suggests Jewish authorities in Jerusalem had reason to conceal Saul's conversion to protect their reputation, and that few Christians knew or dared to spread the news (Clarke mentions this as possible).
What is clear: Barnabas's intervention succeeded: the apostles received Saul, and he began moving freely among them in Jerusalem.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The three-year gap in news of Saul's conversion | Christians across traditions recognize that communication was slow and travel difficult in the first century, and that political tensions (Herod vs. Aretas) further isolated Damascus from Jerusalem. | Some commentators, like Adam Clarke, emphasize deliberate suppression by Jewish authorities as a factor; others, like Barnes, stress the lack of infrastructure and the simple absence of any reliable report. |
| Barnabas's prior acquaintance with Saul | Most agree it is likely, given the proximity of Cyprus (Barnabas's home) to Cilicia (Saul's home) and their shared Hellenistic Jewish background. | Commentators such as Lange and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown consider a prior acquaintance probable but not certain; Clarke does not commit to it, focusing instead on Barnabas's character. |
| The identity of 'the apostles' in verse 27 | Based on Galatians 1:18-19, all major traditions conclude that Barnabas brought Saul to Peter and James (the Lord's brother), as the other apostles were likely absent from Jerusalem at that time. | None, this is a settled point across the commentaries. |
| The disciples' fear of Saul | All traditions view their fear as understandable given Saul's known role as a persecutor. | Calvin suggests it may have been excessive timidity, while other commentators (Barnes, Gill) lean toward justified caution, noting that the apostles had not yet seen evidence of genuine change. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Saul's arrival in Jerusalem occurred roughly three years after his conversion (Galatians 1:18). The disciples' fear was real: they knew him as the persecutor who had ravaged the church (Acts 8:3). Adam Clarke offers six reasons his conversion could go unknown that long: travel was slow, with no regular posts; Damascus was a pagan city under a heathen king, limiting contact with Jerusalem; political animosity between Herod and Aretas disrupted travel; persecuted Christians in Damascus had little connection with Jerusalem; Jerusalem Jews may have kept the news quiet; and few Christians there were personally familiar with Saul. Barnes adds that even if they heard rumors, they lacked verified proof.
The text skips Saul's journey to Arabia (Galatians 1:17). He had spent three years preaching in obscurity before returning to Damascus, where he escaped in a basket over the wall (Acts 9:23-25). Now in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples but was met with suspicion. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, called 'Son of Encouragement' (Acts 4:36), steps forward. His background as a Hellenist and closeness to Tarsus made a prior link with Saul plausible (Lange). Barnabas listened to Saul's story, believed it, and risked his own reputation to present him to the apostles.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Acts 9:27. The Greek text is stable across the major manuscript traditions, and the wording in the available translations is consistent.
Reception History
From the early church onward, Acts 9:27 has been read as a model of Christian mediation. The name 'Barnabas', Son of Encouragement, was seen as lived out in this scene. Patristic writers often highlighted Barnabas's courage in approaching the apostles on behalf of a former enemy. During the Reformation, commentators like Calvin and the Geneva Bible focused on the interplay of fear and faith, using this verse to discuss how the church should test but not reject those who claim conversion. In modern evangelical and mainline traditions, the passage is regularly cited to support the practice of testimony as part of church membership and to encourage the ministry of reconciliation among believers.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The fear that blocks fellowship. The disciples were afraid of Saul and did not believe he was a disciple (v.26). Their suspicion was understandable given his past, but fear alone cannot distinguish genuine change.
- The courage of a mediator. Barnabas 'took him', the Greek ἐπιλαβόμενος means he took hold of Saul, personally escorting him. Barnabas risked his own standing by vouching for a former enemy.
- The power of a shared testimony. Barnabas declared how Saul had seen the Lord, that Christ spoke to him, and that he preached boldly. This threefold witness opened the door for Saul to be received.
Five-point outline
- Saul's attempt to join the disciples meets resistance (v.26).
- Barnabas steps forward as an intermediary (v.27a).
- Barnabas recounts Saul's encounter with the risen Christ (v.27b).
- Barnabas confirms Saul's bold preaching in Damascus (v.27c).
- Saul is accepted and begins moving freely among the apostles (v.28).
Illustration hooks
- A former gang member wants to join a church; a respected deacon who knows his story introduces him to the congregation.
- A worker accused of past misdeeds is restored to a team only after a trusted colleague speaks on his behalf.
- A family member estranged for years returns seeking reconciliation, and someone in the family acts as a bridge.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can we know if someone's conversion is genuine, especially if they have a history of harming the church?
- Why were the apostles not aware of Saul's conversion for three years? What does that say about communication in the early church?
- What does it look like to be a 'Barnabas' for someone with a complicated past?
Leading a Discussion
This verse shows how one person's courageous testimony can bridge the gap between suspicion and trust. Barnabas did not just repeat hearsay; he personally escorted Saul and laid out the evidence. His action offers a pattern for how we help others find acceptance in Christian community.
Discussion questions
- What details did Barnabas include in his declaration? Why those three points?
- Why were the disciples afraid of Saul? Was their caution reasonable?
- The Greek for 'declared' (διηγήσατο means to relate fully. What does that suggest about the depth of Barnabas's account?
- How might Barnabas have known the details of Saul's conversion and preaching?
- In what ways does this passage speak to how churches today handle the reception of new believers, especially those with difficult backgrounds?
- Have you ever needed someone to vouch for you, or have you been a Barnabas for another person? What did that experience teach you?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Acts 4:13 | Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus. |
| Acts 4:29 | Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, |
| Acts 4:36 | Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, |
| Acts 9:3 | As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. |
| Acts 9:6 | But rise up and enter into the city, then you will be told what you must do.” |
| Acts 9:17 | Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” |
| Acts 9:20 | Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God. |
| Acts 9:22 | But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke explains that the Jerusalem church had not heard of Saul's conversion for three years because news traveled slowly and Damascus was a distant heathen city with little connection to Jewish Christians. He adds that persecution and political tensions between Jewish and Arab rulers further isolated the communities.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes explains that the apostles had not heard of Saul's conversion because communication between regions was slow and difficult. Political tension between Herod and King Aretas also disrupted news. Even if Christians had heard, they lacked full evidence, so Barnabas gave a complete, trustworthy account.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin excuses the apostles' fear of Paul as understandable rather than sinful. They had experienced him as a deadly enemy, so their caution arose from just cause, not cowardice. He distinguishes this reasonable fear from the kind that makes believers abandon their duty.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
Barnabas, possibly a prior acquaintance of Saul from nearby Tarsus, bridged the gap between the fearful Jerusalem church and the converted persecutor. The account notes that only Peter and James were present, making Luke’s narrative consistent with Paul’s own words. This introduction, and the repeated retelling of Saul’s vision, marks the turning point of the apostle’s life.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Bible highlights Barnabas as the essential bridge between Saul and the apostles, personally taking him and testifying to both the road encounter with Christ and Saul’s fearless preaching in Damascus. This phrasing presents Barnabas’s bold, firsthand endorsement as the turning point that gained Saul acceptance.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill derives from this episode a principle for church membership: before being admitted, a person should give a clear account of how God brought them to repentance and faith in Christ. Barnabas’s report about Saul’s conversion and bold preaching served this purpose and satisfied the apostles.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
Barnabas, himself a Hellenistic Jew from Cyprus near Saul's home region, likely knew him before this encounter. JFB highlights that Barnabas's character as a "son of consolation" fits his act of bringing Saul specifically to Peter and James, the only apostles present, to confirm Saul's divine commission.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Luke passes over Paul's journey to Arabia, which Paul himself mentions in Galatians. He finds it striking that Paul, instead of going to Jerusalem to learn from the apostles, went directly to break new ground in preaching, showing his commission came straight from God.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent highlights the contrast between two Greek verbs in the verse. "Declared" carries the sense of relating or telling the full story throughout. "Preached boldly" means speaking with open freedom, without restraint, a word he connects to other passages like Acts.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley observes that Paul’s visit to Peter and James illustrates a necessary caution: someone who once opposed the truth should not be trusted until he shows clear evidence that he has genuinely changed.