“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,”
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means 'son of encouragement'), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. — Barnabas (Iōsaphat, Joseph; Barnabas, son of encouragement, son of exhortation) is introduced as the exemplar of generosity. His Levitical heritage (Levitēs, Levite, priestly tribe) is noted; Levites had no tribal inheritance but relied on tithes and offerings. His sale (poleō, sell) of land and contribution (prospherō, bring, present) embody the ideal described in verses 32-35. Barnabas becomes a key figure throughout Acts (mentoring Paul, missionary companion).
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a note on this verse
0/2000
No notes on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!