Acts 4:32-37 · Read 5 min · think and write 15 min
After the Lord Jesus was taken up, the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, and many in Jerusalem believed. These believers “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer” (Acts 2:42); “All who believed were together, and had all things in common” (Acts 2:44).
Later, Peter and John were arrested and questioned for speaking about Jesus. When they were released, “Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them” (Acts 4:23). They all prayed together, and “When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
This lesson reads on from there. Here Barnabas appears for the first time.
32The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.
34For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.
36Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
37having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
One heart and soul. “The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common” (v. 32).
Great power. “With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all” (v. 33).
No one who lacked. “For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold” (v. 34), “and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need” (v. 35). The order the passage records is: they sold, they brought, they laid it at the apostles’ feet, and then it was given to each according to need.
Joses. The passage first says who he was: “Joses … a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race” (v. 36) — what tribe, where he came from, what his name was.
Son of Encouragement. He “by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement)” (v. 36). The apostles gave him this name, and the passage itself explains it. Why the apostles called him this, the passage does not say.
At the apostles’ feet. He, “having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (v. 37). What he did is what the many did in verses 34–35, and the passage uses the same words for it: sold, brought the money, laid it at the apostles’ feet. Among the many who did this, the passage recorded his name.
The name, later. Acts writes about Barnabas several more times. When Saul, after he believed, came to Jerusalem, the disciples were all afraid of him, “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles” (Acts 9:27). When many in Antioch believed, the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas there, “who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord” (Acts 11:23); and the passage says: “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:24). These events are in Paul, Lesson 2.
Luke had already written about a church like this in Acts 2: “All who believed were together, and had all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need” (Acts 2:44-45); “Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47).
Readers can see this: chapter 4 is not the first time it is written this way; Luke wrote it twice. The second time, he wrote down one person’s name.
Perhaps someone near you is in need right now: short of money, short of company, short of a word. Perhaps you are the one in need.
This lesson does not tell you to sell your field, and it does not say how much you should give. What it shows you is this: in a church where everyone was giving, the passage wrote down one person’s name, and the apostles called him ‘Son of Encouragement’. Paul later wrote: “Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do” (1 Thess 5:11).
This week: Think of one person who most needs encouragement right now. This week, write them a few lines — a card or a message is fine. No need to preach; just tell them you remember them and you are praying for them.
Scripture: World English Bible.