Gospel in Art: Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Saints Paul and Barnabas in Lystra by Master of the Budapest Saints Paul and Barnabas 16th C © Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 11 June 2026
Matthew 10:7-13

At that time: Jesus instructed his Apostles: 'Proclaim as you go, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the labourer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Barnabas, one of the great missionary figures of the early Church. Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus whose birth name was Joseph, yet the apostles gave him the name "Barnabas," meaning "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36). It is a beautiful title, because encouragement became the very mark of his life and ministry. He was known for his generosity, even selling a field he owned and laying the proceeds at the feet of the apostles (Acts 4:37). But perhaps one of the most important moments in his life came after the conversion of Saint Paul. When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, many Christians were fearful of him, remembering all too well how he had persecuted the followers of Christ. Barnabas, however, guided by the Holy Spirit, was willing to take a courageous risk. He welcomed Paul, believed in the sincerity of his conversion, and brought him to the apostles. That act of trust would help change the history of Christianity.

Barnabas and Paul would go on to travel together across great distances, proclaiming the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles alike. Barnabas was also one of the Cypriots who founded (Acts 11:19-20) the church in Antioch, where he preached, and later stood alongside Paul at the Council of Jerusalem, arguing that Gentile converts did not need to follow the full requirements of Jewish law in order to become Christians. There is something deeply humble and beautiful about Barnabas. He recognised the extraordinary gifts God had placed within Paul and was willing to let him step forward and shine, even if it meant that he himself would gradually move into the background. Barnabas seemed far more concerned with the growth of the Gospel than with his own importance... the mark of a truly humble heart.

Our sixteenth-century painting captures a dramatic moment from their missionary journey in Lystra, recounted in Acts 14:8-20. Paul and Barnabas encounter a man crippled from birth who had never walked. Seeing the man's faith, Paul calls out for him to stand up, and instantly the man is healed. The crowd is overwhelmed with astonishment. Mistaking the two apostles for pagan gods, they call Barnabas 'Zeus' and Paul 'Hermes'. On the right-hand side of the painting, we see pagan sacrifices being prepared in their honour. Yet Barnabas and Paul are horrified by this misunderstanding. Tearing their garments, they insist that they are only human beings and plead with the people to turn instead to the living God. But the mood of the crowd quickly changes. Jews arriving from Antioch and Iconium stir the people against them, and violence erupts. In the distance, beyond the city walls, we see Paul being stoned and dragged out of the city, left for dead. And yet, remarkably, Paul survives and continues his mission. The scene becomes a powerful reminder of the cost of discipleship: the same crowd that one moment wishes to worship the apostles turns against them the next. Such is often the fragile nature of human admiration. But Barnabas and Paul remained steadfast, concerned not with glory for themselves, but with leading people towards Christ.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reading: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-10-7-13-2026/
Video: How art called me to the priesthood: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55096