The Bible doesn't explicitly state how Barnabas acquired the land he sold. Here's what we know from the book of Acts:
* Acts 4:36-37: "Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means 'son of encouragement'), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet."
Since the Bible doesn't give a specific explanation, we can only speculate based on historical and cultural context:
* Inheritance: As a Levite from Cyprus, he might have inherited the land from his family. While Levites traditionally weren't given land in the Promised Land (their inheritance was supposed to be serving in the temple), this restriction might have been less strict for Levites living outside of Israel in the diaspora.
* Purchase: Barnabas could have purchased the land himself through his own business ventures or earnings. Cyprus was a prosperous island with diverse economic opportunities.
* Gift: It's also possible he received the land as a gift, perhaps from a benefactor or relative.
* Land ownership in the diaspora: The text in Acts does not directly contradict the historical context that levites were not originally permitted to own land in Israel. However, this restriction was only in the "promised land". It's quite possible that the restrictions did not extend to Levites in the diaspora.
It's important to remember that the emphasis in the biblical passage is not on how Barnabas acquired the land, but on his generosity and willingness to support the early church.