Bartholomew
Israelite / Jew Jewish (Nathanael was of Cana in Galilee) · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- Nathanael
- Name means
- Bartholomew: 'son of Talmai'; Nathanael: 'gift of God'
- Role
- Apostle
- When
- c. AD 28-30s
What they did
Named in the lists of the Twelve, he is traditionally identified with Nathanael, whom Philip brought to Jesus and whom Jesus called 'an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile'; Nathanael confessed Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Nathanael's honest doubt turned to confession when he met Jesus, showing that Christ knows us fully and welcomes sincere seekers.
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. John 1:49 (KJV)
Bible references
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Matthew 10:3 (KJV)
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. Acts 1:13 (KJV)
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. John 1:45-49 (KJV)
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. John 21:2 (KJV)
Family
The identification of Bartholomew with Nathanael is traditional, based on their being paired with Philip; Scripture does not state it directly.