“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)
We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle Bartholomew. He is in all four lists of the 12 apostles (Matt. 10:2–4; Mark 3:16–19; Luke 6:14–16; Acts 1:13), but is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament.
Bartholomew’s name means “son of Tolmai.” It may well be that he was also called Nathaniel. In the lists found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptic Gospels), Bartholomew is named immediately after Philip. This suggests that the Nathanael Philip brought to Jesus (John 1:45–50)—who seems to be linked with some of the disciples (John 21:2)—was Bartholomew.
43 “The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:43–46 (ESV)
“When Jesus saw Nathaniel approaching, He made this strange announcement: “Behold, an Israelite in whom there is no guile.” The gospels do not tell us a lot about Nathaniel, but Jesus’ pronouncement at that point is profound. What a description of a person’s character: “Behold, an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” He was a guileless person. Wouldn’t you love to have that on your tombstone: “This was a person without any deception, dishonesty, or manipulation. He was utterly guileless,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
What was Bartholomew’s (Nathaniel’s) response to Jesus? Bartholomew confessed Jesus as the Messiah.
49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:49–51 (ESV)
“Nathaniel was so impressed by Jesus’ display of supernatural knowledge that he immediately exclaimed, “You’re the Son of God; You’re the King of Israel!” It wasn’t just Peter who made a great confession of faith among the disciples and Apostles. The first time we heard: “You’re the Son of God” was from Philip. Then Nathaniel also proclaimed, “You are the Son of God and the King of Israel,” states Dr. Sproul.
True faith in the God of the Scriptures begins with a confession of Jesus Christ alone as Savior and Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
Soli deo Gloria!
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