In the Acts of the Apostles, Joseph Barsabbas was one of two candidates qualified to be chosen for the office of apostle after Judas Iscariot lost his apostleship when he betrayed Jesus and died by suicide. After the casting of lots Barsabbas was not chosen, the lot instead favoring St. Matthias to be numbered with the remaining eleven apostles.21Wherefore of these men who have companied with us, all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, 22Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his resurrection. 23And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the heart of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave them lot, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. —Acts 1:21–26 D–R

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