Joseph called Barsabbas

Portrait of Joseph called Barsabbas

Joseph called Barsabbas, also known as Justus, was one of two men nominated by the early church to replace Judas Iscariot among the twelve apostles following Judas's betrayal and death. Along with Matthias, he met the key qualification of having accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry from baptism to ascension, as outlined in Acts 1. The apostles prayed for divine guidance and cast lots, which fell on Matthias, leaving Barsabbas unchosen. This episode illustrates the early church's dependence on prayer and God's sovereignty in leadership selection, underscoring the restoration of the apostolic foundation before Pentecost.

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Biography

Occupation
Disciple
Era
New Testament (c. AD 30)
Nationality
Jewish
Also Known As
Justus, Barsabbas
New Testament New Testament Era Acts

Did You Know?

1

Joseph Barsabbas, also called Justus, met the rigorous apostolic criteria in Acts 1:21-22 by having accompanied Jesus and the Twelve from the baptism of John through the ascension, yet he was passed over when lots were cast.

2

His Aramaic name Barsabbas, meaning 'son of the Sabbath,' may indicate birth on the Sabbath or descent from a family noted for strict Sabbath observance, a detail underscoring the Jewish cultural context of early disciples.

3

The addition of the Roman cognomen Justus hints that Joseph belonged to the Hellenistic Jewish diaspora, reflecting the multicultural makeup of the Jerusalem church even before Pentecost.

4

Casting lots to choose between Joseph and Matthias deliberately echoed Old Testament precedents such as the selection of Saul or the division of the land, showing the apostles' reliance on divine sovereignty rather than human vote.

5

Although Matthias took Judas's place among the Twelve, Joseph Barsabbas receives no further mention in Acts, illustrating how many qualified eyewitnesses to Jesus' ministry remained active yet unrecorded in the canonical narrative.

Key Passages

Choosing Judas' Replacement

Acts 1:21-26

This story encourages us that God wisely guides His church's decisions, even when devoted servants like Joseph remain in the background.

W21herefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Read full chapter: Acts 1 โ†’

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