Barnabas was a native of the island of Cyprus. His birthplace makes him a Jew of the Diaspora, the dispersion of Jews outside Palestine or modern Israel. He was originally named Joseph but the apostles called him Barnabas, he probably acquired this name because of his ability as a preacher. The name Barnabas was understood by Luke to mean "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36). Barnabas was an apostle of the secondary group, companion of Paul on …showed first 75 words of 963 total…

…showed last 75 words of 963 total…in Cyprus. Scriptures from the Holy Bible, The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1962) 356. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, The NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995) 1654. Scriptures from the Holy Bible, The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1962) 356. Bibliography Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, The NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995) 1654. Scriptures from the Holy Bible, The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1962) 356.