Who was Justus in the Bible?

The Bible presents three individuals named Justus, each playing a distinct role in the early church and the spread of Christianity. Justus, which means “just” or “righteous,” was a common name in New Testament times.

Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus)

The first Justus is mentioned in Acts 1:23. He was one of two candidates nominated to replace Judas Iscariot as an apostle, although he was not ultimately chosen. After the betrayal and death of Judas, the disciples met together to seek a substitute apostle to restore their number to twelve. Peter explained that the nominees had to be “from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection” (Acts 1:21–22, NLT).

The account continues: “So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus), and Matthias. Then they all prayed, ‘O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.’ Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven” (Acts 1:23–26, NLT).

This Justus knew Jesus personally, followed Him from the beginning of His public ministry, and was a witness to the resurrection. Although Matthias was chosen to succeed Judas, the mention of Justus underscores his prominence among Christ’s disciples and the trust he had earned within the early Christian community. Apart from this passage in Acts 1, nothing more is said of him in Scripture.

Titius Justus

Another Justus, referred to as Titius (or Titus) Justus, appears in Acts 18. He was a Gentile in Corinth “who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue” (Acts 18:7, NLT). Paul initially ministered to the Jews at the synagogue in Corinth, preaching that Jesus was the Messiah. But when he encountered opposition and insult there, he “shook the dust from his clothes” (Acts 18:6, NLT) and moved his ministry next door to the home of Titius Justus. This act marked a pivotal moment in Paul’s mission and ministry to the Gentiles. Here, Paul declared, “From now on I will go to the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6, NLT).

Titius Justus provided hospitality to Paul and allowed Christians to meet in his home. His friendship and support of Paul’s ministry highlight his crucial role in spreading the gospel in Corinth. Many Gentiles and Jews, including Crispus, the synagogue leader, were saved and baptized in the home of Titius Justus (see Acts 18:8–11).

Jesus Justus

The third Justus is found in the epistle to the Colossians, where Paul refers to him as “Jesus (the one we call Justus)” (Colossians 4:11, NLT). This Justus was a Jewish Christian and co-worker of Paul who sent his greetings to the church in Colossae. He was one of Paul’s three close friends—the other being Aristarchus and Mark—who comforted Paul greatly during his imprisonment in Rome. Jesus Justus is mentioned nowhere else in the Bible, and nothing more is known about him through history. However, his inclusion in Paul’s letter stresses his importance and loyalty in supporting Paul’s ministry.

While references to the three Bible figures named Justus are limited, they offer a glimpse into these individuals’ key positions in the newly emerging Christian church. Each Justus, through his faith and actions, contributed to the early advancement of God’s kingdom, the spread of the gospel, and the establishment of Christian communities across the land.