Judas Called Barsabas

Biblical Account

Judas called Barsabas appears only in Acts 15. The Council of Jerusalem was convened to decide whether Gentile believers must receive circumcision. Afterward, the apostles, the elders, and the whole church resolved to send a letter setting out their decision to the church at Antioch. Along with Paul and Barnabas, they sent "Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren" (Acts 15:22). Here "chief men" refers to those who held positions of leadership in the church.

In the letter, the Jerusalem church introduced Judas and Silas as men who "shall also tell you the same things by mouth" (Acts 15:27). On arriving in Antioch, the two delivered the letter, and the text calls them "prophets," recording that they "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 those in Jerusalem who had sent him (Acts 15:33). Scripture records nothing further about him.

Significance Within Scripture

Judas served as a witness who confirmed the council's decision not only in writing but also in person, by word of mouth. The presence of a recognized figure from the Jerusalem church is understood to have guarded against any suspicion that the letter might be forged or misrepresented. In addition, by calling him a prophet, Acts shows that leaders other than the apostles were active in prophesying and exhorting in the early church.

Interpretation and Issues

• Meaning of the name: "Barsabas" renders the Aramaic Bar-sabba. It is commonly explained as meaning "son of Saba" or "son of the Sabbath," but its precise meaning has not been established.
• Relationship to Joseph called Barsabas: Acts 1:23 mentions "Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus," who was put forward together with Matthias as a candidate for apostleship. Because the two men share the same byname, some regard them as brothers, but this is a conjecture without support in the text.
• Distinction from other men named Judas: He is a different person from Judas Iscariot, from Judas the son of James, one of the Twelve (Thaddaeus), and from Judas the brother of the Lord.
• Textual issue: Some later manuscripts include an additional verse stating that Silas remained in Antioch (Acts 15:34). On the basis of this verse, some read the passage to mean that Judas returned alone, but many modern translations omit the verse from the main text or mark it off separately.

In the Korean Church

Judas receives little attention as a figure in his own right. He is mentioned mainly alongside Silas when the passage on the Council of Jerusalem is preached or studied in Bible classes. In such settings he is often presented as an example of a leader who faithfully conveyed the church's decision and exhorted the believers.