Bartholomew (Nathanael)

bar-THOL-uh-myoo / nuh-THAN-yel · d. c. AD 68 (late tradition) · Also called Nathanael

An apostle known by two different names across the Gospels — Bartholomew in the synoptic lists, Nathanael in John — remembered for his skeptical first reaction to Jesus and Jesus's striking response.

Life and work

The synoptic Gospels and Acts always list "Bartholomew" among the Twelve, paired right next to Philip (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13), but never say anything else about him. John's Gospel never uses the name Bartholomew at all, but tells a vivid story about a man named Nathanael who is brought to Jesus by Philip — the same pairing found in the synoptic lists, which is the main reason scholars generally identify Bartholomew (literally "son of Tolmai," a patronymic rather than a full name) with John's Nathanael.

In John's account, when Philip tells Nathanael he has found the Messiah in Jesus of Nazareth, Nathanael responds skeptically, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Jesus then tells him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you," and Nathanael immediately declares, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:45-51). He is later named among the disciples present at the Sea of Tiberias when the risen Jesus appears, identified there as "Nathanael of Cana in Galilee" (John 21:2).

Occupation: Apostle
Places: From Cana in Galilee, according to John 21:2.
Dates: d. c. AD 68 (late tradition) Legendary — a later convention, not an anchored date

Dating

Widely identified with 'Nathanael' of John 1:45-51, whom Jesus called 'an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.' Missionary tradition sends him to Armenia and/or India, but the vivid account of his martyrdom by flaying comes from much later hagiography with little early historical support — his apostleship is certain; the death story is legend layered on top.

Extra-biblical evidence

No contemporary extra-biblical source mentions Bartholomew/Nathanael. A later tradition, with no historical corroboration, holds that he was flayed alive and beheaded while preaching in Armenia — a legend that became famous in Christian art (Michelangelo depicted himself in the flayed skin Bartholomew holds in the Sistine Chapel's Last Judgment).

Scripture references

John 1:45-51 — Skeptical first reaction, then confesses Jesus as Son of God
Matthew 10:3 — Listed as Bartholomew among the Twelve, paired with Philip
John 21:2 — Present at the resurrection appearance at the Sea of Tiberias

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