Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The name Bartholomew is derived from the Aramaic name “Bar-Tôlmay,” which means “son of Talmai” or “son of the furrows.” The name Nathanael is of Hebrew origin and means “God has given.” While the exact year of his birth is not known, it is believed that he was born in the 1st century AD. He is believed to be the son of Talmai and his wife, whose names are not mentioned in the Bible.
Early Life of Bartholomew
Little is known about the early life of Bartholomew. He is believed to have been born in Cana of Galilee, a village in the region of Galilee (John 21:2). It is also suggested that he was a friend of the apostle Philip, as he was the one who introduced Bartholomew to Jesus (John 1:45-51).
Biblical Timeline
Calling of Bartholomew
Bartholomew’s calling to be a disciple of Jesus is described in John 1:45-51. Philip, who had already met Jesus, told Bartholomew that he had found the Messiah in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Initially skeptical, Bartholomew questioned if anything good could come out of Nazareth. However, upon meeting Jesus, he quickly recognized him as the Son of God and the King of Israel, to which Jesus replied that Bartholomew would see greater things than that encounter.
Bartholomew in the Gospels
Bartholomew is mentioned in the lists of the twelve apostles in Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, and Luke 6:14. Although not mentioned by name, it is believed that he was present during several key events in the life of Jesus, such as the Last Supper (Matthew 26:20), the resurrection appearances (John 20:19-23), and the ascension (Acts 1:9-11).
Death of Bartholomew
The circumstances of Bartholomew’s death are not recorded in the Bible. However, various traditions suggest that he was martyred for his faith. Some accounts claim that he was flayed alive and then beheaded in Albanopolis, Armenia, while others assert that he was crucified upside down in India.
Additional Notes
Bartholomew’s Missionary Work
While the Bible does not provide specific details about Bartholomew’s missionary work, various traditions suggest that he traveled to different regions to spread the gospel. These regions include India, Armenia, Ethiopia, and Mesopotamia.
Extrabiblical References to Bartholomew
There are limited extrabiblical references to Bartholomew. The most notable is the “Gospel of Bartholomew,” also known as the “Questions of Bartholomew,” which is a non-canonical text from the early Christian era. It is not considered part of the New Testament canon and is not widely accepted as historically reliable. Additionally, Eusebius of Caesarea, a 4th-century historian, mentions Bartholomew in his “Ecclesiastical History” in connection with the apostle’s missionary work in India.