Joseph Barsabbas

Candidate for the Apostleship

Also known as: Barsabbas, Justus, Joseph called Barsabbas

The early churchDisciplec. 1st century AD

Joseph Barsabbas, also called Justus, was one of two candidates proposed to replace Judas Iscariot as the twelfth apostle. He had followed Jesus throughout his entire public ministry, from John's baptism to the ascension. Although the lot fell on Matthias instead of him, Joseph remained a faithful disciple in the early church.

Key events

Nominated as an Apostolic Candidate

After Jesus' ascension, the congregation proposed Joseph Barsabbas, called Justus, along with Matthias, as candidates to replace Judas Iscariot among the twelve apostles.

21So then, from among the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us —
δεῖ οὖν τῶν συνελθόντων ἡμῖν ἀνδρῶν ἐν παντὶ χρόνῳ ⸀ᾧ εἰσῆλθεν καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ὁ κύριος Ἰησοῦς,
22beginning with John's baptism until the day when he was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τοῦ βαπτίσματος Ἰωάννου ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς ἀνελήμφθη ἀφʼ ἡμῶν, μάρτυρα τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ ⸂σὺν ἡμῖν γενέσθαι⸃ ἕνα τούτων.
23So they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, and Matthias.
καὶ ἔστησαν δύο, Ἰωσὴφ τὸν καλούμενον Βαρσαββᾶν, ὃς ἐπεκλήθη Ἰοῦστος, καὶ Μαθθίαν.

The Casting of Lots

The congregation prayed and cast lots between Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias. The lot fell on Matthias, who was counted as the twelfth apostle.

24Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen
καὶ προσευξάμενοι εἶπαν Σὺ κύριε καρδιογνῶστα πάντων, ἀνάδειξον ὃν ἐξελέξω, ἐκ τούτων τῶν δύο ἕνα,
25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas abandoned to go where he belongs."
λαβεῖν τὸν ⸀τόπον τῆς διακονίας ταύτης καὶ ἀποστολῆς, ⸀ἀφʼ ἧς παρέβη Ἰούδας πορευθῆναι εἰς τὸν τόπον τὸν ἴδιον.
26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
καὶ ἔδωκαν κλήρους ⸀αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἔπεσεν ὁ κλῆρος ἐπὶ Μαθθίαν, καὶ συγκατεψηφίσθη μετὰ τῶν ἕνδεκα ἀποστόλων.

Qualified as an Eyewitness to Jesus' Ministry

Joseph Barsabbas was recognized as one who had been with Jesus from John's baptism until the ascension, and was thus an eyewitness to Jesus' resurrection.

21So then, from among the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us —
δεῖ οὖν τῶν συνελθόντων ἡμῖν ἀνδρῶν ἐν παντὶ χρόνῳ ⸀ᾧ εἰσῆλθεν καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ὁ κύριος Ἰησοῦς,
22beginning with John's baptism until the day when he was taken up from us — one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ τοῦ βαπτίσματος Ἰωάννου ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς ἀνελήμφθη ἀφʼ ἡμῶν, μάρτυρα τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῦ ⸂σὺν ἡμῖν γενέσθαι⸃ ἕνα τούτων.

Part of the praying congregation in Jerusalem

Before the election of a new apostle, Joseph Barsabbas was among the approximately 120 believers gathered in prayer in the upper room in Jerusalem.

13When they arrived, they went up to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
καὶ ὅτε εἰσῆλθον, ⸂εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον ἀνέβησαν⸃ οὗ ἦσαν καταμένοντες, ὅ τε Πέτρος καὶ ⸂Ἰωάννης καὶ Ἰάκωβος⸃ καὶ Ἀνδρέας, Φίλιππος καὶ Θωμᾶς, Βαρθολομαῖος καὶ Μαθθαῖος, Ἰάκωβος Ἁλφαίου καὶ Σίμων ὁ ζηλωτὴς καὶ Ἰούδας Ἰακώβου.
14They all devoted themselves with one mind to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
οὗτοι πάντες ἦσαν προσκαρτεροῦντες ὁμοθυμαδὸν τῇ ⸀προσευχῇ σὺν γυναιξὶν καὶ ⸀Μαριὰμ τῇ μητρὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ καὶ ⸀σὺν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ.
15In those days Peter stood up among the brothers — there were about a hundred and twenty gathered together — and said,
Καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις ἀναστὰς Πέτρος ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ⸀ἀδελφῶν εἶπεν (ἦν τε ὄχλος ὀνομάτων ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ⸀ὡς ἑκατὸν εἴκοσι)·

Mentioned in the Bible (3)