Barnabas

The term that is transliterated as “Barnabas” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a combination of the signs for the letter B and “encourage” (referring to Acts 11:23). (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Barnabas” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Barnabas (source: Bible Lands 2012)

See also son of encouragement.

complete verse (Acts 15:37)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 15:37:

  • Uma: “Barnabas wanted to take Yohanes Markus on their journey,” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Barnabas wanted to take Yahiya Markus along.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Barnabas agreed to that, and he wanted to take John Mark.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Whereupon Barnabas wanted that they take-along Juan Marcos,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Bernabe’s reply said, ‘Okay, yes. What you are thinking is good. And as far as I am concerned (lit. according to me only), it would also be good for us to cause Juan Marcos to go along.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 15:37

According to 13.13 John Mark had returned to Jerusalem. He has not been mentioned since that time, but now he shows up in Antioch.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 15:37

15:37

wanted: The Greek is literally “was wanting.” Barnabas was wanting to take John Mark during this time. He wanted to do this so much that he would not agree with Paul. So he and Paul went separate ways (15:39). Other ways to translate this word are:

was wanting
-or-

⌊really⌋ wanted

John, also called Mark: John was his Jewish name and Mark was his Roman name. The verb called is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

John, whom ⌊people⌋ also called Mark

John: This name is spelled Iōannēs in the Greek language.

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