Judas Barsabas

Biblical Account

Judas Barsabas appears only in Acts 15. The Jerusalem Council convened to decide whether Gentile believers should also be required to undergo circumcision and keep the law of Moses. After the council reached its decision, the Jerusalem church chose "Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren" and sent them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:22). The letter written by the apostles and elders states that these two men would also convey its contents by word of mouth (Acts 15:27). The decision conveyed in the letter is recorded in Acts 15:28–29.

When the two men arrived in Antioch, they delivered the letter, and the believers "rejoiced for the consolation" (Acts 15:30–31). Scripture records, "And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them" (Acts 15:32). After some time, Judas was sent off by the brethren and returned to Jerusalem, to those who had sent him (Acts 15:33). Scripture says nothing further about him.

Significance Within Scripture

The account of Judas shows that the Jerusalem church did not send the council's decision in writing alone but also sent trustworthy men in person to confirm and explain it. The phrase "chief men" refers to those who held positions of leadership within the church. Judas is also an example of how, in the early church, prophets who exhorted believers through the word were active alongside the apostles and elders. Silas, who was sent with him, later accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys, but the record of Judas ends with his return to Jerusalem.

Interpretations and Issues

• Name: Many hold that "Barsabas" represents the Aramaic "Bar Sabba." Scholars differ in their explanations, with some interpreting it as "son of Sabba" and others as "son of the Sabbath."
• Relationship to Joseph Barsabas: Because he bears the same surname as Joseph called Barsabas in Acts 1:23, some interpreters regard the two men as brothers. The text, however, does not state any relationship between them.
• Distinction from other men named Judas: Several men named Judas appear in the New Testament. Judas Barsabas is regarded as a different person from Judas Iscariot and from Judas the son of James, one of the Twelve.
• Acts 15:34: Some manuscripts contain a verse to the effect that "it pleased Silas to abide there still." Because many manuscripts lack this verse, the New Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Gaejeong) marks it as "(omitted)." Some scholars hold that the verse was added later to make clear that Judas returned alone.

In the Korean Church

Judas Barsabas is rarely treated as a subject in his own right. He is generally mentioned, together with Silas, in sermons and Bible studies on Acts 15 or the Jerusalem Council. In such contexts he is often presented as a worker who faithfully conveyed the community's decision and as one who "exhorted" and "confirmed" the believers through the word.