Topical Encyclopedia
Bartholomew is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, as listed in the Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. His name appears in the apostolic lists found in
Matthew 10:3,
Mark 3:18,
Luke 6:14, and
Acts 1:13. In these lists, Bartholomew is often paired with Philip, suggesting a close association between the two.
Name and IdentityThe name "Bartholomew" is of Aramaic origin, meaning "son of Tolmai" or "son of the furrows." This patronymic name suggests that Bartholomew's full name might have included a given name, which is not directly mentioned in the biblical texts. Many scholars and church traditions identify Bartholomew with Nathanael, who is introduced in the Gospel of John. This identification is based on the fact that Nathanael is closely associated with Philip in
John 1:45-51, similar to the pairing of Philip and Bartholomew in the Synoptic Gospels.
Biblical ReferencesIn the Gospel of John, Nathanael is introduced as a man from Cana in Galilee. Philip finds Nathanael and tells him, "We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (
John 1:45). Nathanael initially expresses skepticism, asking, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (
John 1:46). However, upon meeting Jesus, Nathanael is convinced of His divine nature when Jesus reveals His knowledge of Nathanael's character and previous location under the fig tree. Nathanael then declares, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel" (
John 1:49).
Role and MinistryWhile the New Testament does not provide extensive details about Bartholomew's life and ministry, his inclusion among the twelve apostles indicates his significant role in the early Christian community. The apostles were chosen by Jesus to be His closest followers and were entrusted with spreading the Gospel message after His resurrection and ascension.
Tradition and LegacyEarly Christian tradition holds that Bartholomew carried out missionary work in various regions, including India, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Armenia. According to some accounts, he was martyred for his faith, with one tradition suggesting he was flayed alive. His feast day is celebrated in the Western Church on August 24th.
Bartholomew's legacy is one of faithfulness and dedication to the mission of Christ. His account, particularly the account of Nathanael's encounter with Jesus, highlights the transformative power of recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Bartholomewa son that suspends the waters
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bartholomew(son of Tolmai), one of the twelve apostles of Christ. (Matthew 10:3;Mark 3:18;Luke 6:14;Acts 1:13) It has been not improperly conjectured that he is identical with Nathanael. (John 1:45) ff. He is said to have preached the gospel in India, that is, probably, Arabia Felix, and according to some in Armenia.
ATS Bible Dictionary
BartholomewOne of the twelve apostles,Matthew 10:3Mark 3:18Luke 6:14Acts 1:13. He is named in connection with Philip, and seems to have been the same person, whom John calls Nathanael,John 1:45-51, and mentions among the other apostles,John 21:2. Nathanael may have been his real name, and Bar-tholomew, that is, son of Tolmai, his patronymic and best-known name. SeeAPOSTLE andNATHANAEL.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Son of Tolmai, one of the twelve apostles (
Matthew 10:3;
Acts 1:13); generally supposed to have been the same as Nathanael. In the synoptic gospels Philip and Bartholomew are always mentioned together, while Nathanael is never mentioned; in the fourth gospel, on the other hand, Philip and Nathanael are similarly mentioned together, but nothing is said of Bartholomew. He was one of the disciples to whom our Lord appeared at the Sea of Tiberias after his resurrection (
John 21:2). He was also a witness of the Ascension (
Acts 1:4, 12, 13). He was an "Israelite indeed" (
John 1:47).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BARTHOLOMEWbar-thol'-o-mu (Bartholomaios, i.e. "son of Tolmai or Tolmai"): One of the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:3Mark 3:18Luke 6:14Acts 1:13). There is no further reference to him in the New Testament. According to the "Genealogies of the Twelve Apostles" (Budge, Contendings of the Apostles, II, 50) "Bartholomew was of the house of Naphtali. Now his name was formerly John, but our Lord changed it because of John the son of Zebedee, His beloved." A "Gospel of Bartholomew" is mentioned by Hieronymus (Comm. Proem ad Matth.), and Gelasius gives the tradition that Bartholomew brought the Hebrew gospel of Matthew to India. In the "Preaching of Bartholomew in the Oasis" (compare Budge, II, 90) he is referred to as preaching probably in the oasis of Al Bahnasa, and according to the "Preaching of Andrew and Bartholomew" he labored among the Parthians (Budge, II, 183). The "Martyrdom of Bartholomew" states that he was placed in a sack and cast into the sea.
From the 9th century onward, Bartholomew has generally been identified with Nathanael, but this view has not been conclusively established.
SeeNATHANAEL.
C. M. Kerr
BARTHOLOMEW, GOSPEL OF
SeeAPOCRYPHAL GOSPELS;BARTHOLOMEW.
Greek
918. Bartholomaios -- "son of Tolmai,"Bartholomew, one of the...... 917, 918. Bartholomaios. 919 . "son of Tolmai,"
Bartholomew, one of the twelve
... Mt 10:3; Jn 1:45ff). That is,
Bartholomew's "first name" was apparently ".".
...3482. Nathanael -- Nathanael (probably the same asBartholomew)
... Nathanael (probably the same asBartholomew). Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Nathanael Phonetic Spelling: (nath-an-ah-ale') Short...
Library
St.Bartholomew
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR St.Bartholomew. [1077]287 King of saints, to whom the number....
Bartholomew Ringwaldt
...Bartholomew Ringwaldt. [94]Ringwaldt was the author of the hymn so well known
in England under the mistaken title of "Luther's Hymn,""....
Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious ApostleBartholomew.
Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious ApostleBartholomew. <.... Martyrdom
of the Holy and Glorious ApostleBartholomew. Historians...
Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious ApostleBartholomew
Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious ApostleBartholomew. <. Martyrdom of the
Holy and Glorious ApostleBartholomew Unknown. Alexander Walker, Esq....
King of Saints, to whom the Number
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Holy Days: St.Bartholomew 287. King of saints, to whom the
number.... In the roll of thine apostles. One there stands,Bartholomew,....
Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious ApostleBartholomew
Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious ApostleBartholomew. <....
Jesus Makes his First Disciples.
... [It appears that Peter afterward removed to Capernaum"Mark 1:29.] 45 Philip findeth
Nathanael [Nathanael is commonly identified withBartholomew for the...
Pant??nus the Philosopher.
... ForBartholomew, [1512] one of the apostles, had preached to them, and left with
them the writing of Matthew in the Hebrew language, [1513] which they had...
Addition to Acts of Philip.
... And the executioners ran to the house of Stachys, and laid hold of Philip, and
Bartholomew, and Mariamme, with the leopard and the kid of the goats, and...
Subject Index
... Bishopric of Ely, [2373]Bishopric of Ely, [2374]Vacant. BlackBartholomew,
[2375]BlackBartholomew, [2376]BlackBartholomew. Black...
Thesaurus
Bartholomew (4 Occurrences)... In the synoptic gospels Philip and
Bartholomew are always mentioned together, while
Nathanael is never mentioned; in the fourth gospel, on the other hand
...Nathanael (6 Occurrences)
... His name occurs only in the Gospel of John, who in his list of the disciples never
mentionsBartholomew, with whom he has consequently been identified....
Zealot (4 Occurrences)
... Thus (1) all the arguments adduced in favor of theBartholomew-Nathanael identification
(see NATHANAEL) can equally be applied to that of Simon-Nathanael...
Cananaean (2 Occurrences)
... Thus (1) all the arguments adduced in favor of theBartholomew-Nathanael identification
(see NATHANAEL) can equally be applied to that of Simon-Nathanael...
Canaanite (74 Occurrences)
... Thus (1) all the arguments adduced in favor of theBartholomew-Nathanael identification
(see NATHANAEL) can equally be applied to that of Simon-Nathanael...
Alpheus (5 Occurrences)
... Matthew 10:3 Philip, andBartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the
son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; (WBS YLT)....
Alphaeus (5 Occurrences)
... Matthew 10:3 Philip;Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son
of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY...
Andrew (12 Occurrences)
... people converted. (3) "The Acts of Andrew andBartholomew" (Budge, II, 183)
gives an account of their mission among the Parthians. (4...
Thomas (12 Occurrences)
... Matthew 10:3 Philip;Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son
of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY...
Thaddeus (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 10:3 Philip, andBartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the
son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; (WBS YLT)....
Resources
Who was Bartholomew in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is the order of Jesus' calling His disciples different in some of the gospels? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the twelve (12) disciples / apostles of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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