Original Word: Βαρσαββᾶς
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Barsabbas
Pronunciation: bar-SAB-bas
Phonetic Spelling: (bar-sab-as')
KJV: Barsabas
NASB: Barsabbas
Word Origin: [of Chaldee origin (H124 (אוֹדֶם - ruby)7 and probably H663 (אֲפֵק אֲפִיק - Aphek)4)]

1. son of Sabas (or Tsaba)
2. Bar-sabas, the name of two Israelites

Barsabas.

Of Chaldee origin (bar and probably tsba'); son of Sabas (or Tsaba); Bar-sabas, the name of two Israelites -- Barsabas.

see HEBREW bar

see HEBREW tsba'

Word Origin
of Aramaic origin
Definition
"son of Sabba," Barsabbas, the surname of two Isr. Christian
NASB Translation
Barsabbas (2).

STRONGS NT 923: Βαρσαβας

Βαρσαβας (Βαρσαββᾶς L T Tr WH; see WH's Appendix, p. 159), Βαρσαβα (Buttmann, 20 (18)), ὁ, Barsabas (or Barsabbas) (i. e. son of Saba (others, Zaba));

1. the surname of a certain Joseph: Acts 1:23 (B. D. under the word ).

2. the surname of a certain Judas: Acts 15:22 (B. D. under the word Judas Barsabas).

Identity and Background

Barsabbas is a patronymic used for two distinct disciples in the Book of Acts—Joseph Barsabbas (Acts 1:23) and Judas Barsabbas (Acts 15:22). The designation probably means “son of the Sabbath” or “son of the oath,” hinting at either a devout upbringing or a reputation for reliability. Both men emerge at decisive junctures in early‐church history, demonstrating how lesser-known believers contributed significantly to the advance of the gospel.

Joseph Barsabbas (also called Justus)

1. Candidate for Apostleship

After Judas Iscariot’s death, the apostolic band sought a twelfth eyewitness of the resurrection. Joseph, nicknamed Barsabbas and surnamed Justus, met the stringent requirement of having accompanied Jesus “the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us” (Acts 1:21). The final selection fell to Matthias, yet Joseph’s inclusion among the two nominees reveals the breadth of qualified witnesses in the earliest community.

2. Spiritual Maturity

Joseph had persevered from the days of John the Baptist through the resurrection, indicating steadfastness amid fluctuating public opinion about Jesus. His non-selection displays the sovereignty of God without diminishing his personal faithfulness. Luke’s narrative values Joseph precisely because he was willing to serve whether chosen or not, modeling humility for future generations.

3. Historical Footprint

Scripture provides no subsequent record of Joseph, but tradition associates him with missionary endeavors in the Mediterranean. While such accounts remain tentative, they underscore the Church’s memory of his integrity.

Judas Barsabbas

1. Envoy of the Jerusalem Council

Controversy over Gentile conversion led the apostles and elders to convene in Jerusalem. Having drafted a unifying letter, they dispatched Judas Barsabbas and Silas “leading men among the brothers” to Antioch (Acts 15:22). Judas’s appointment signals deep trust in his discernment and communication skills.

2. Prophetic Ministry

Acts 15:32 notes, “Both Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a lengthy message.” Judas functioned as a Spirit-empowered spokesman, delivering doctrinal clarity and pastoral exhortation during a volatile transition from Jewish to predominantly Gentile congregations.

3. Peacemaker and Bridge Builder

Judas’s role bridged the Jerusalem leadership and the expanding Gentile mission. His presence authenticated the Council’s decree and disarmed suspicion toward Paul and Barnabas, safeguarding unity across cultural lines.

Historical Context

The surname Barsabbas surfaces only within the first fifteen chapters of Acts, a period marked by rapid organizational development. These chapters record:
• The replacement of Judas Iscariot (Acts 1–2).
• Initial persecution and expansion (Acts 3–8).
• Gentile inclusion through Cornelius (Acts 10–11).
• Formal resolution of the law‐grace question (Acts 15).

In each setting Barsabbas figures stand at critical pivot points—apostolic succession and doctrinal consolidation—indicating that God often uses seemingly peripheral saints at strategic moments.

Ministry Contributions

• Eyewitness Testimony: Joseph Barsabbas’s life validated the resurrection narrative.
• Doctrinal Transmission: Judas Barsabbas articulated consensus teaching to distant assemblies.
• Congregational Encouragement: Both men exemplified verbal ministry—preaching, prophesying, and exhorting—essential for early‐church edification.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Election and Human Responsibility

Joseph’s account underlines that being overlooked for high office does not negate divine approval. Election to visible leadership rests in God’s prerogative; faithful service remains every disciple’s responsibility.

2. Unity in Diversity

Judas Barsabbas helped implement a theological settlement that preserved both Jewish heritage and Gentile freedom, highlighting the Church’s call to unity without uniformity.

3. Prophetic Edification

Judas’s prophetic activity shows that New Testament prophecy operated within apostolic oversight, serving to build up rather than supplant scriptural authority.

Lessons for the Church

• God esteems character over title; willing servants may influence key decisions without occupying the highest offices.
• Reconciliation among differing groups often depends on trusted, Spirit‐led messengers who embody the very unity they proclaim.
• Historical obscurity does not equate to spiritual insignificance. Both Barsabbas figures illustrate how believers known to God can shape redemptive history.

Related Names and Distinctions

Barsabbas should not be confused with Barabbas, the insurrectionist released in place of Jesus (Matthew 27:16), nor with Barnabas, the “son of encouragement” who partnered with Paul (Acts 4:36). Each name bears a unique narrative and theological weight within the New Testament corpus.

Βαρσαββαν Βαρσαββᾶν Barsabban BarsabbânInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts