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Bartholomew — 'in whom is no deceit'

Usually identified with Nathanael of Cana, whom Philip brought to Jesus with the words 'come and see.' Jesus called him 'an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.' Tradition sends him east with the gospel, to Armenia, where he was martyred.

Role: Apostle

Also known as: Nathanael

Lived: 1st century AD

Belonged to: The Twelve Apostles, Israelites (Hebrews)

Born: Cana

Death: Traditionally martyred in Armenia

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1 Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 1

Origin & birthplace

BibleUsually identified with Nathanael of Cana in Galilee.

John 21:2; John 1:45–46

↳ Cana

Tribe & people

ScholarlyIdentifying Bartholomew ('son of Tolmai') with Nathanael is a widely-held but not certain scholarly view.

Harmonising the apostle lists of the Synoptics with John

Where in scripture

Matthew Mark Luke John Acts

Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus;
Matthew 10:3 — Listed among the Twelve

Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;
Mark 3:18

Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;
Luke 6:14

Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
John 1:45 — Brought by Philip; 'come and see'

Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
John 1:46

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
John 1:47

Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
John 1:48

Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”
John 1:49

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.

Matthew 10:3 Mark 3:18 Luke 6:14 John 1:45 John 1:46 John 1:47 John 1:48 John 1:49 John 21:2 Acts 1:13

In their own words — 2 recorded sayings

“Nazareth! said Nathanael, Is it possible for any good to come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see.” — John 1:46

“Nathanael said to him, Where did you get knowledge of me? In answer Jesus said, Before Philip was talking with you, while you were still under the fig-tree, I saw you. Nathanael said to him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are King of Israel!” — John 1:48-49

Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).