Galatians 2:13 Meaning: Why Even Barnabas Fell to Hypocrisy
And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation.
and dissemble with him also did the other Jews, so that also Barnabas was carried away by their dissimulation.
and the rest of the Jews also played the same dissembling part with him; so that even Barnabas was carried away too by their dissimulation.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Barnabas, Paul's close friend, get carried away with hypocrisy at Antioch?
Context
In Galatians 2, Paul recounts a painful showdown in Antioch. Peter had been eating freely with Gentile believers, enjoying the unity the gospel brings. But when some Jewish Christians arrived from Jerusalem, Peter pulled back, fearing what they might think. The other Jewish believers in Antioch followed his lead, and even Barnabas, Paul's longtime partner in mission, was swept along. Paul saw this was not a minor disagreement. By separating from the Gentiles, Peter was acting as if the old food laws still mattered for salvation. The whole gospel was at stake.
Key Words
The Greek verb sunupekrithēsan means "to play a part together." It comes from the word for an actor on stage, someone wearing a mask. Peter and the others were not being who they really were. They knew the gospel made Jews and Gentiles one, but they pretended otherwise when the pressure was on.
Then Paul uses sunapēchthē for Barnabas, "was carried away with." The prefix sun (with) shows this was a group movement, like a crowd sweeping someone down a street. Barnabas was not the leader here; he was pulled along by the current of others' behavior. The word hupokrisis (hypocrisy) originally meant "answering" or "playing a part on stage." Here it describes the gap between what they knew to be true and how they acted. It is a familiar failure: we do what others do, even when we know better.
How Christians Read This Verse
Across Christian traditions, this verse has been read as a sobering reminder of human weakness. Anglican commentators point out that even apostles are not morally perfect. Wesleyan interpreters highlight how Peter's fear of human opinion spread to others like a contagion. Baptist writers emphasize the power of a bad example, noting that even someone as faithful as Barnabas could be influenced. All agree that Paul's public confrontation was necessary, not out of anger, but to preserve the truth of the gospel for everyone.
A common misunderstanding
Some think Barnabas must have been a weak person who easily gave in to pressure. In fact, Barnabas had shown great courage in welcoming Gentiles earlier (Acts 11:22-24). This was a moment of weakness, not his true character. The text uses the passive "was carried away," showing he was caught up in something beyond himself for a time. He was swayed by the force of example, not by a lack of conviction.
Living This Out
Think about a group where you feel pressure to go along with something you know isn't right. Maybe at work, with friends, or even at church. Peter and Barnabas were not bad men; they just gave in to the fear of what others would think. This week, ask yourself: Where am I acting differently because of who is watching? The gospel calls us to live out what we really believe, even when it costs us approval. You may need to gently speak up, like Paul did. You may need to quietly stand firm. Either way, you do not have to follow the crowd. The truth is worth it.
Main takeaway: Even the most faithful among us can be carried away by the example of others, so we must hold fast to the gospel and be willing to humbly confront error.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Sometimes we do what others do even when we know it is wrong. God wants us to be brave and do what is right, even if we are alone. He will help you.
For ages 9, 12
Even grown-ups like Barnabas can get caught up in bad behavior when everyone around them is doing it. This story reminds us to think for ourselves and to stand up for what is true, even if we are the only one. It is okay to gently correct a friend who is leading others the wrong way. God gives us courage to speak the truth in love.
Questions People Ask
What was the hypocrisy in Galatians 2:13?
The hypocrisy was that Peter and other Jewish Christians in Antioch ate with Gentile believers when only Gentiles were present, but when Jewish Christians from Jerusalem arrived, they separated themselves. They acted as if the old food laws still mattered, pretending to hold a view they had already abandoned. Paul called that hypocrisy because they knew the truth but did not live by it.
Why did Barnabas go along with Peter?
Barnabas was a faithful companion of Paul, but the influence of Peter and the other Jewish believers was strong. The Greek word for 'was carried away' suggests he was swept along by the force of example, not because he had changed his convictions. Even good people can yield to social pressure, especially when a respected leader takes the wrong step.
Does this incident contradict the Jerusalem Council’s decision in Acts 15?
No, the Council had already decided that Gentile believers did not need to follow Jewish law. Peter's behavior contradicted that decision, which is why Paul confronted him. The incident shows how hard it was to live out the gospel's implications in everyday life, even after an official agreement was reached.
Did Paul and Barnabas stay friends after this?
The text does not say directly. Barnabas is not mentioned again in Galatians until chapter 4, where he is named in passing. In Acts, Paul and Barnabas later separate over a different disagreement about John Mark (Acts 15:36-41), but this incident at Antioch may have strained their relationship. They were still fellow workers in the gospel, but the trust was damaged.
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