Top 10 Facts about Bartholomew the Apostle

Top 10 Facts about Bartholomew the Apostle

Bartholomew the Apostle. Photo by Pyotr Basin. Wikimedia

In each of the four references to the group, Bartholomew is listed as one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. However, in John’s Gospel, he is always referred to as Nathanael.

The Hebrew surname Bartholomew means “son of Tolmai.” So Nathanael is Tolmai’s son, or Nathanael Bar-Tolmei.

According to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria’s Synaxarium, Bartholomew’s martyrdom is commemorated on the first day of the Coptic calendar, which is currently September 11th.

Eastern Christianity commemorates him on June 11, while the Catholic Church commemorates him on August 24.

1. Bartholomew the Apostle was taken to Jesus by Philip

Sculpture of St Bartholomew. Photo by Ad Meskens. Wikimedia

The apostle Philip brought Bartholomew to Jesus, telling him that Jesus was the promised one of God, as prophesied by the prophets. When Jesus first saw Bartholomew, he praised him, saying that he could see no dishonesty in his heart.

Bartholomew began to believe in Jesus right away. Because of his faith, Jesus promised Bartholomew would see great things.

Jesus’ words were certainly fulfilled. As an apostle of Christ, Bartholomew witnessed and heard many wonderful things. He witnessed Jesus heal the sick and perform other miracles to demonstrate God’s love. He overheard Jesus speak about God’s Kingdom being open to anyone who lived with love.

2. Bartholomew had his strength and weaknesses 

When Bartholomew first met Jesus, he overcame his skepticism about Nazareth’s insignificance and left his past behind. Bartholomew died as a martyr for Christ.

Like the majority of the other disciples, Bartholomew deserted Jesus during his trial and crucifixion.

3. Bartholomew witnessed the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ

Saint Bartholomew. Photo by Hakjosef. Wikimedia

Bartholomew saw Jesus suffer and die on the cross to save all people from sin, and he saw the Risen Lord, who told his disciples that if they followed him and his teachings, they, too, would live forever.

He traveled to foreign lands to spread the Good News about Jesus after receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. He established Christian communities in parts of India as well as what are now known as Armenia and Turkey. Despite the fact that he always spoke the truth about Jesus, some people did not believe him, and he died as a martyr.

Bartholomew is a saint in the Catholic Church and the patron saint of butchers. On August 24, the Church of England commemorates Bartholomew the Apostle with a Festival. According to legend, he was skinned alive and beheaded, so he is frequently depicted holding his flayed skin or the curved flensing knife with which he was skinned; as a result, he is remembered and approved as the patron saint of leather makers. 

4. Bartholomew’s father’s name was likely Talmai

The name Bartholomew is derived from the Aramaic (Bar-Talmai), which means “son of Talmai.” Names derived from a person’s father’s name were very common in ancient Israel. These are known as patronymic names.

5. Bartholomew and Philip have long been associated with one another

Bartholomew is listed right after Philip in three of the four lists of the apostles. This suggests that the two men have a close relationship. Some traditions also mention the two men cooperating in their ministries.

These two men are both crucified upside down in the apocryphal text Acts of Philip. In the text, Philip’s preaching persuades those around him to release them.

Interestingly, Philip requests to remain bound on the cross, but Bartholomew is released. This connection could be meaningless, but many scholars believe they collaborated to spread the gospel.

6. Bartholomew was almost certainly a missionary

Bartholomew the Apostle. Photo by Pyotr Basin. Wikimedia

In groups of two, Jesus dispatched the apostles to various specific regions (Mark 6:7-13). Before ascending to Heaven, Jesus instructs them to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). There is no record in the Bible that tells us which countries they all went to. There are some traditional ideas about where Bartholomew might have gone. He preached in India, according to Eusebius of Caesarea. He had access to a wealth of historical resources, but he was not without errors in his writing. According to the Acts of Philip, Bartholomew preached in Armenia, Ethiopia, Lycaonia, Mesopotamia, and Parthia.

7. Theories on Bartholomew’s death

Bartholomew with his own skin in his hands. Photo by Jojojoe. Wikimedia

Bartholomew was most likely martyred. There are a number of theories as to how he died. The most common version is that he was flayed and then beheaded. This is why art frequently depicts him wearing his skin or associating him with knives.

According to Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, he was killed in India, where he was first beaten and then crucified. Another book, The Golden Legend, contains several stories about his death, including the claim that he preached in India and died in Alban (a city in Armenia).

He was crucified head down, but St. Theodorus said he was flayed, and other accounts say he was only beheaded. Another legend has it that he was beaten unconscious and drowned in the sea.

8. Nathanael and Bartholomew, considered to be one and the same 

Saint Bartholomew. Photo by Hakjosef. Wikimedia

According to most Bible scholars, Nathanael and Bartholomew were the same person. The surname Bartholomew is a family name that means “son of Tolmai.” Nathanael means “God’s gift.” The name Bartholomew always follows Philip in lists of the Twelve in the synoptic Gospels.

9. Bartholomew the Apostle had miraculous acts 

Every year, the people of Lipari celebrated his feast day. The people’s custom was to carry the solid silver and gold statue from inside St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral through town.

When carrying the statue down the hill toward town, it suddenly became very heavy and had to be set down. When the men carrying the statue recovered their strength, they lifted it again. It became even heavier. After a few more, seconds, they set it down and attempted to pick it up again. They were able to lift it, but had to put it down again. Walls further downhill collapsed in seconds. If the statue could have been lifted, everything would have been different.

During World War II, as the fascist regime sought ways to fund its activities, an order was issued to remove and melt the silver statue of Saint Bartholomew. When they measured the statue, it weighed only a few grams, so the original plan was scrapped, and the statue was reinstalled. However, the statue is made of many kilograms of silver.

10. Bartholomew introduced Christianity in Armenia

Bartholomew is credited with bringing Christianity to Armenia in the first century, along with his fellow apostle, Jude “Thaddeus.” As a result, both saints are considered patrons of the Armenian Apostolic Church.