Judas Barsabbas

Prophet and messenger from Jerusalem

Die frühe KircheProphetLeader1st century AD

Judas Barsabbas was a leading man among the believers in Jerusalem who was chosen together with Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch. He brought the important letter from the apostolic council in Jerusalem which established that Gentile Christians did not need to follow the entire Mosaic Law. He served as a prophet and encouraged the church with his words.

Schlüsselereignisse

Chosen as messenger

Judas Barsabbas was chosen together with Silas by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch with the letter from the apostolic council.

22Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to choose men from among themselves and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brothers.
Τότε ἔδοξε τοῖς ἀποστόλοις καὶ τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις σὺν ὅλῃ τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἐκλεξαμένους ἄνδρας ἐξ αὐτῶν πέμψαι εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν σὺν ⸀τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ Βαρναβᾷ, Ἰούδαν τὸν ⸀καλούμενον Βαρσαββᾶν καὶ Σιλᾶν, ἄνδρας ἡγουμένους ἐν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς,
23They sent this letter with them: "The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
γράψαντες διὰ χειρὸς ⸀αὐτῶν· Οἱ ἀπόστολοι καὶ οἱ ⸀πρεσβύτεροι ἀδελφοὶ τοῖς κατὰ τὴν Ἀντιόχειαν καὶ Συρίαν καὶ Κιλικίαν ἀδελφοῖς τοῖς ἐξ ἐθνῶν χαίρειν.

Described as a leading man

The Acts of the Apostles describes Judas Barsabbas as a leading man among the brothers in Jerusalem, which shows his standing in the early church.

22Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to choose men from among themselves and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brothers.
Τότε ἔδοξε τοῖς ἀποστόλοις καὶ τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις σὺν ὅλῃ τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἐκλεξαμένους ἄνδρας ἐξ αὐτῶν πέμψαι εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν σὺν ⸀τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ Βαρναβᾷ, Ἰούδαν τὸν ⸀καλούμενον Βαρσαββᾶν καὶ Σιλᾶν, ἄνδρας ἡγουμένους ἐν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς,

Delivering the Apostles' Council Letter

Judas and Silas delivered the important letter from Jerusalem that freed Gentile Christians from circumcision and most of the Mosaic Law.

30So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter.
Οἱ μὲν οὖν ἀπολυθέντες ⸀κατῆλθον εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν, καὶ συναγαγόντες τὸ πλῆθος ἐπέδωκαν τὴν ἐπιστολήν·
31When it was read, the people rejoiced at its encouragement.
ἀναγνόντες δὲ ἐχάρησαν ἐπὶ τῇ παρακλήσει.

Prophetic Ministry in Antioch

As prophets, Judas and Silas encouraged and strengthened the believers in Antioch with many words, and urged the congregation in their faith.

32Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
Ἰούδας τε καὶ Σιλᾶς, καὶ αὐτοὶ προφῆται ὄντες, διὰ λόγου πολλοῦ παρεκάλεσαν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς καὶ ἐπεστήριξαν·

Sent Back with Peace

After a time in Antioch, Judas was sent back to Jerusalem with a greeting of peace from the brothers there.

33After spending some time there, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
ποιήσαντες δὲ χρόνον ἀπελύθησαν μετʼ εἰρήνης ἀπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν πρὸς τοὺς ⸂ἀποστείλαντας αὐτούς⸃.