Bartholomew

Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus.

Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles selected by Jesus Christ to be part of His inner circle (Mat 10:3; Mrk 3:18; Luk 6:14). He is always mentioned in the lists of the apostles, indicating his importance within the group. However, beyond his inclusion in these lists, no specific details about his background, life, or ministry are provided in the New Testament. Bartholomew is also named in Act 1:13 as one of the apostles gathered in the upper room after Jesus' ascension, praying and waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Some scholars suggest that Bartholomew may be the same person as Nathanael, who is mentioned in John's Gospel (Jhn.1.45-51; 21.2), but this identification is not conclusively established in the biblical text. Tradition holds that Bartholomew preached the gospel in various regions, including India and Armenia, and suffered martyrdom for his faith, but these accounts are not recorded in the New Testament.

Son of Tolmai, one of the twelve apostles (Matt. 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).