Bartholomew

one of the Twelve

Who was Bartholomew?

He was one of the Twelve Apostles. Matthew 10:3; Acts 1:13
The Gospels give only his name, in the lists of the Twelve. Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14

The name: It means “son of Talmai”: it is a name that recalls his father. Benedict XVI, general audience of October 4, 2006; Catholic Encyclopedia (1907), “St. Bartholomew”
Also called: Nathanael, according to tradition (the Bible does not say so) John 1:45; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 4, 2006
Feast day: August 24: Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

What the Bible says

Matthew 10:3; Acts 1:13

James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus,

Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14

And Andrew and Philip, and Bartholomew and Matthew, and Thomas and James of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Cananean:

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Bartholomew

With Jesus. According to Tradition: If he is Nathanael, as tradition says, Philip told him about Jesus, and Nathanael recognized him as the Son of God. John 1:45-49
With Jesus. Jesus spent the night praying on the mountain. When day came, he chose the Twelve, and Bartholomew was one of them. Luke 6:12-14
Afterward. After the Ascension, he was in Jerusalem with the other apostles, praying with Mary. Acts 1:13-14
Afterward. According to Tradition: According to a report recorded by Eusebius, he preached in India and left the Gospel of Matthew there. Eusebius, Church History V, 10, 3
Afterward. According to Tradition: According to tradition, he died a martyr in Armenia. Since the Middle Ages, the story has been told that he was flayed. Catholic Encyclopedia (1907), “St. Bartholomew”; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 4, 2006

Words of Bartholomew

Under the name Bartholomew, the Gospels do not record a single word of his. If he is Nathanael, as tradition says, his words are in John 1:46-49.

If he was Nathanael

Tradition identifies him with Nathanael, whom Philip told about Jesus. If it is he, this is what the Gospel of John tells. John 1:45; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 4, 2006
At first he doubted: he asked if anything good could come from Nazareth. John 1:46
Jesus said he was a true Israelite, with no duplicity or deceit. John 1:47
Jesus told him he had seen him under the fig tree before Philip called him. John 1:48
Then Nathanael recognized Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel. John 1:49
He was from Cana in Galilee, the town of the wedding where Jesus changed water into wine. John 21:2; John 2:1-11
He was by the lake with Peter, Thomas, and others when the risen Jesus appeared to them. John 21:1-2

Not to be confused with

Bartimaeus was a blind man who begged by the road out of Jericho, and Jesus healed him. Both names begin with “Bar,” which means “son of.” Mark 10:46, 52

In the Church today

Feast day: August 24, Saint Bartholomew, Apostle (feast). General Roman Calendar

In art, recognized by: A large knife Catholic Encyclopedia (1907), “Apostle Spoons”; His own skin in his hand, as Michelangelo painted him in the Last Judgment Benedict XVI, general audience of October 4, 2006; Catholic Encyclopedia (1907), “St. Bartholomew”

Bartholomew in art

What people ask

Are Bartholomew and Nathanael the same person?

The Bible does not say so, but according to tradition they are the same person. In the Gospel lists, Bartholomew comes next to Philip, the one who told Nathanael about Jesus. Matthew 10:3; John 1:45; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 4, 2006

What does the name Bartholomew mean?

“Son of Talmai.” It is a name that recalls his father. Benedict XVI, general audience of October 4, 2006

How did Saint Bartholomew die?

The Bible does not say. According to tradition, he died in Armenia: some accounts say he was beheaded, and others that he was flayed. Catholic Encyclopedia (1907), “St. Bartholomew”

Why is he painted holding his skin in his hand?

Because of that tradition about his death. This is how Michelangelo painted him in the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel. Benedict XVI, general audience of October 4, 2006

Where are the relics of Saint Bartholomew?

They are venerated in Rome, in the Church of Saint Bartholomew on Tiber Island. According to tradition, the emperor Otto III brought them there in the year 983. Benedict XVI, general audience of October 4, 2006

Little known In the Gospel lists he always comes next to Philip; in Acts, next to Thomas and Matthew. Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13 “Bartholomew” seems to…

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Who Bartholomew is connected to

Jesus · chose him

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