Barnabas II. Where is he first mentioned in the Bible? III. Barnabas' introduction of Saul to the apostles IV. His mission work with Paul V. His departure from Paul VI. Barnabas as a writer VII. His Death 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 his mission to Cyprus and the