Joses

Joses (a form of Joseph, meaning he will add) is the name of several figures in the New Testament. Most prominent is Joses listed among the brothers of Jesus — "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joses and Simon and Judas?" (Matthew 13:55; cf. Mark 6:3). The nature of this relationship — whether full brothers, half-brothers through Joseph by a prior marriage, or cousins — has been a matter of theological debate since the patristic period. A woman named Mary the mother of Joses appears at the crucifixion and tomb (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40, 47).

The most consequential figure bearing the name Joses is Joses surnamed Barnabas by the apostles — the Levite from Cyprus who sold a field and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet in the early Jerusalem community (Acts 4:36), an act of generosity standing in sharp contrast to the deception of Ananias and Sapphira. As Barnabas, he became one of the most significant figures in the gentile mission: championing Paul after his conversion, accompanying him on the first missionary journey through Cyprus and Asia Minor, and later working independently in Cyprus with Mark. The nickname "son of encouragement" (Barnabas) effectively replaced the name Joses entirely in the tradition that preserved his memory.