Bartholomew appears in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts in the list of the Twelve, always paired with Philip. In the Gospel of John, the disciple named Nathanael of Cana in Galilee is a friend of Philip who is brought to Jesus and receives one of the warmest commendations in the gospels: "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit" (John 1:47).
Since the early church, a very old tradition has identified Nathanael with Bartholomew. The identification is probable but not certain. "Bartholomew" is not a given name but a patronymic — "son of Tolmai" — so "Nathanael bar-Tolmai" would explain the double naming.
In the Gospels
Nathanael is sceptical when Philip tells him the Messiah has come from Nazareth: "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46). But when he meets Jesus and is told he was seen under the fig tree, he immediately confesses: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel" (1:49). Jesus responds that he will see greater things still. Nathanael also appears among the disciples who go fishing after the resurrection (John 21:2).
Later Life and Death
Later traditions place Bartholomew's ministry in various regions — India, Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Phrygia all appear in different sources. The Armenian Apostolic Church considers him one of its founding apostles. The Acts of Bartholomew (apocryphal) and Eusebius both mention traditions of his missionary work.
The most widespread tradition, reported by Eusebius and other fathers, says that he was martyred — variously flayed, crucified, or beheaded. The famous image of Bartholomew holding his own flayed skin appears in Michelangelo's Last Judgment and reflects the medieval iconography of his martyrdom.
Sources
- Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 5.10 (on Bartholomew's mission).
- Brown, An Introduction to the New Testament, 889.
- Joseph B. Fitzmyer, The Gospel According to Luke I–IX (Anchor Bible, 1981), 617–618 (on the identification question).