“The multitude of believers had one heart and one soul. No one considered their property as their own, but everything was common among them. The Apostles testified with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and enjoyed great esteem. No one was in need, because everyone who owned land or houses sold them and put the money at the disposal of the Apostles so that it could be distributed to each one according to his needs. And so Joseph, called by the Apostles Barnabas – which means son of consolation – a Levite born in Cyprus who owned a field, sold it, and put the money at the disposal of the Apostles.” (cf. Acts 4:32-37).
In the preceding text of the book of the Acts of the Apostles, Joseph or Barnabas is mentioned, among those who gathered around the apostles after the death of Jesus in Jerusalem. It was a community of believers who lived fraternally, sharing their goods. Another tradition – reported by Eusebius of Caesarea, who is inspired by Clement of Alexandria – includes Barnabas among the 72 disciples sent by Jesus on a mission to announce the Kingdom of God, therefore, including him already in the first group of followers of Christ. Regarding his origins, we know from the book of the Acts of the Apostles that he was born on the island of Cyprus, he was Jewish, and his name was Joseph. (cf. Acts 4:36).
Christian in Jerusalem
Barnabas is one of the most recognized disciples of the first Christian community who, although he was not one of the Twelve, was also sent as an apostle. In fact, thanks to him, Paul, who had just been converted on the road to Damascus, was welcomed in Jerusalem by the apostles and the community, since it was clear that many distrusted this Saul who had persecuted the Christians, (cf. Acts 9, 27) but Barnabas welcomed him and introduced him into the community. Considered a “virtuous man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith” (cf. Acts 11:24), he was sent to Antioch, Syria, from where news of numerous conversions had arrived. Once he noticed that many truly believed, Barnabas rejoiced and exhorted everyone “to persevere with a resolute heart in the Lord,” and then asked Paul for help to be supported in his service to the new community of believers. Once again, therefore, Barnabas intervened in Paul’s life, nudging him toward his mission as Apostle to the Gentiles. The two remained in Antioch for a year instructing many, and it was here that “for the first time the disciples called themselves Christians.” (cf. Acts 11:22-26).
On a long mission with Paul
After preaching in Antioch, Barnabas and Paul leave for a new mission in Cyprus. With them is also John, called Mark (the evangelist), cousin of Barnabas. The next stage is Pamphylia, but here the inexperienced John decides to return to Jerusalem (perhaps out of fear). Barnabas and Paul continue on, towards Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe and finally back again to Antioch of Syria. They also go to Perge and Atalia. The increasing number of Gentile conversions gave rise to disputes over whether circumcision was necessary, so, around 49, Barnabas and Paul returned to Jerusalem to discuss it with the apostles. (cf. Acts 15:1-35). Shortly after, the two prepared for a new mission, but Barnabas wanted to travel with John again, while Paul, (still resentful of the previous abandonment), was against it: he did not trust the young man. Barnabas, on the other hand, saw in him a disciple to be recovered. Not finding an agreement, his paths divided: Barnabas embarked for Cyprus with his cousin. Paul, on the other hand, goes to Asia. (cf. Acts 15:36-40).
“Also among the saints there are contrasts, discords, controversies. This seems very consoling to me, since we see that the saints have not fallen from heaven,” said Benedict XVI, recalling the bond between Barnabas and Paul in the catechesis of the General Audience of January 31, 2007, and added: Holiness does not consist in never making mistakes or never sinning. Holiness grows with the capacity for conversion, repentance, availability to begin again, and above all with the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness. In fact, later, Paul will speak again of Mark as his co-worker, in his letter to Philemon and in his second letter to Timothy.
From Italy to martyrdom in Salamis
The New Testament no longer gives us certain news about Barnabas, but some Byzantine texts speak of a journey with Peter that takes him to Rome. From there he would have continued towards northern Italy. In Milan, in particular, his preaching would have led to several conversions and the first Christian community in the city, which for this reason considers him its first bishop. The Acts of Barnabas, a work already from the 5th century, tell of his death in Salamis, where he would have been stoned by the Syrian Jews in the year 61. Today in Salamis the tomb of Barnabas still exists, and it is said that he would have appeared in a dream to the bishop of Salamis, Anthemios, at the end of the 5th century, who would have transferred the remains of the apostle to the basilica that he wanted to dedicate to him.
