One of the twelve apostles of Jesus.
About Bartholomew
A disciple of Jesus included in all four lists of the 12 apostles (Matthew 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13). However, he is not mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament, and nothing specific is said about him in these lists. The name "Bartholomew" means "son of Tolmai," which suggests he might have also had another name.
In the lists in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the synoptic Gospels), Bartholomew is listed right after Philip. This has led some to speculate that he might be the Nathanael mentioned in John’s Gospel (John 1:45–50). This Nathanael was brought to Jesus by Philip and appears to be linked with some of the disciples (John 21:2). The Gospel of John may have referred to the apostle Bartholomew by another name. However, we do not know if John meant that Nathanael was one of the twelve apostles when he wrote about him.
Key References
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (whom He named Peter),
James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,
When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
All Scripture References (4)
Matthew (1)
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Mark (1)
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,
Luke (1)
Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;
Acts (1)
When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.