Barnabas is the Aramaic surname (bar-nebu'ah, interpreted in Acts 4:36 as 'son of encouragement' or 'son of prophecy') given to Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus who became one of the most consequential figures in the early church's expansion. His 28 occurrences trace a compelling arc: he first appears selling a field and laying the proceeds at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:36-37), then vouching for the newly converted Saul when the Jerusalem church still feared him (Acts 9:27). Sent to investigate the Gentile revival at Antioch, he sought out Saul in Tarsus and brought him into the work there (Acts 11:22-26). Together they undertook the first missionary journey through Cyprus and southern Galatia (Acts 13-14), defended Gentile freedom at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:2-12), and then parted ways in a sharp disagreement over John Mark (Acts 15:36-39). Paul later mentions him in his letters as a recognized apostle (1 Cor 9:6) and a figure of stature at Antioch (Gal 2:1, 9, 13). Colossians 4:10 reveals Mark was Barnabas' cousin.