Bartholomew is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, as listed in the Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. His name appears in the apostolic lists in Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14, and Acts 1:13. The name "Bartholomew" is a patronymic, meaning "son of Tolmai" or "son of the furrows," suggesting a possible agricultural background.

Bartholomew is often identified with Nathanael, who is mentioned in the Gospel of John. This identification is based on the pairing of Philip and Bartholomew in the Synoptic Gospels, which parallels the pairing of Philip and Nathanael in John 1:45-51. In this passage, Nathanael is introduced to Jesus by Philip, and Jesus describes Nathanael as "an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit" (John 1:47). Nathanael's initial skepticism about Jesus being from Nazareth is overcome when Jesus reveals His supernatural knowledge of Nathanael's whereabouts before Philip called him.

Bartholomew's ministry after the resurrection of Jesus is not detailed in the New Testament. However, early church traditions suggest that he preached the Gospel in various regions, including India, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Armenia. According to some accounts, Bartholomew was martyred for his faith, possibly by being flayed alive, a detail that has influenced his iconography in Christian art.

Matthew

Matthew, also known as Levi, is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and the traditionally attributed author of the Gospel of Matthew. He is introduced in the Synoptic Gospels as a tax collector, a profession often associated with corruption and collaboration with the Roman authorities. In Matthew 9:9 , Jesus calls Matthew to follow Him: "As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. 'Follow Me,' He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him."

Matthew's calling is significant as it demonstrates Jesus' willingness to reach out to those marginalized by society. In response to his calling, Matthew hosts a banquet for Jesus at his house, where many tax collectors and sinners were present. This event prompts criticism from the Pharisees, to which Jesus responds, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13).

The Gospel of Matthew is notable for its emphasis on Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and its structured presentation of Jesus' teachings, including the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew's Gospel is often considered the most Jewish of the four Gospels, highlighting Jesus' role as the promised Messiah and King of the Jews.

Tradition holds that Matthew preached the Gospel in Judea and later in other regions, including Ethiopia and Persia. Various accounts of his martyrdom exist, though details vary. Matthew's legacy is preserved in his Gospel, which continues to be a foundational text for Christian doctrine and teaching.