THE TWELVE APOSTLES-BARTHOLOMEW

Bartholomew means son of Tolmai. It is therefore, not his name. Most scholars believe Nathanael is to be identified as Bartholomew. Jerome 4 believes he was of royal lineage descended from the line of David. His evidence is the name which is a family name in David's line. If he is Nathanael, he was from Cana of Galilee. When he was told that Jesus was from Nazareth he replied: “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

Ministry: Except for his appearance in the lists, he is never mentioned in the gospels or Acts. If is he is to be identified as Nathanael, he was brought to Jesus by Philip (Jn. 1:45-51). He is said to have preached in India, Armenia, and with Philip, preached in Phrygia. He is said to have been martyred in Albana in modern Azerbaijan.