Bartholomew
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “Son of Tolmai”
One of the twelve apostles, generally identified with Nathanael, of whom Jesus said, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"
Biography
Bartholomew is listed among the twelve apostles in the Gospels and Acts (Matthew 10:3; Acts 1:13). He is generally identified with Nathanael of Cana, who appears in John's Gospel — "Bartholomew" being a patronymic ("son of Tolmai") for the same man.
"An Israelite indeed"
When Philip told Nathanael they had found the Messiah from Nazareth, he replied skeptically, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?" But when he met Jesus, the Lord said, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Astonished that Jesus knew him — "when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee" — Nathanael confessed, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel" (John 1:45–49).
Among the Twelve
He was among the disciples who saw the risen Jesus by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:2) and is counted among the apostles who carried the gospel after Pentecost.
Life Timeline
Confesses Jesus as the Son of God under the fig tree
Themes & lessons from Bartholomew
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Bartholomew appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
10 verses in 5 booksMatthew1 verse
Matthew 10:3
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Mark1 verse
Mark 3:18
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Luke1 verse
Luke 6:14
Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
John6 verses
John 1:45
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.
John 1:46
And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
John 1:48
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.
John 1:49
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
John 21:2
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.
Acts1 verse
Acts 1:13
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.
Frequently asked about Bartholomew
Who was Bartholomew in the Bible?
One of the twelve apostles, generally identified with Nathanael, of whom Jesus said, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"
What does the name Bartholomew mean?
The name Bartholomew means “Son of Tolmai”.
What did Bartholomew do in the Bible?
Bartholomew served as apostle.
Where does Bartholomew appear in the Bible?
Bartholomew is mentioned 10 times across 5 books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts.
What can we learn from Bartholomew?
The story of Bartholomew touches on themes of nathanael, philip, thomas, apostles — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Bartholomew's life.
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