Bartholomew
“Son of Tolmai”
Summary
One of the twelve apostles, commonly identified with Nathanael of Cana, whom Jesus called 'an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.'
☩Name and Identity
Bartholomew appears in all four apostolic lists in the New Testament, always in the second group of four apostles. The name is a patronymic meaning 'son of Tolmai' and thus was likely not his personal name. He is commonly identified with Nathanael, mentioned only in John's Gospel, since the Synoptics never mention Nathanael and John never mentions Bartholomew, and in the Synoptic lists Bartholomew is consistently paired with Philip, who brought Nathanael to Jesus.
☩Called by Jesus
If Bartholomew is Nathanael, we have a detailed account of his call. When Philip told him the Messiah had been found in Jesus of Nazareth, Nathanael skeptically asked, 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?' Yet when Jesus saw him approaching, He pronounced him 'an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.' Astonished that Jesus knew him, Nathanael immediately confessed, 'Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!'
☩Character
Jesus' commendation reveals Nathanael's chief virtue: transparent sincerity without deception. Unlike Jacob, the 'supplanter' who obtained the blessing by guile, Nathanael was honest and straightforward, a true son of Israel. His initial prejudice against Nazareth immediately gave way to conviction when presented with evidence, showing his openness to truth. The fact that he was praying under a fig tree when Jesus saw him suggests a devout man who sought God in private.
☩Later Ministry
Nathanael was present with other disciples at the Sea of Tiberias when Jesus appeared after the resurrection. According to various traditions, Bartholomew preached the gospel in India, where Pantaenus later found a Hebrew Gospel of Matthew that Bartholomew had left. Other traditions place his ministry in Armenia, Mesopotamia, Persia, or Egypt. He is said to have been martyred by being flayed alive and then crucified with his head downward at Albanopolis in Armenia.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Bartholomew," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Bartholomew," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Bartholomew," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).