Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew in the Synoptic Gospels, is a disciple of Jesus Christ mentioned in the Gospel of John. His name means "God has given" in Hebrew, and he is traditionally identified with Bartholomew, one of the Twelve Apostles listed in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Biblical Account

Nathanael's introduction occurs in John 1:45-51. Philip, who had just been called by Jesus, finds Nathanael and tells him, "We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John 1:45). Nathanael's initial skepticism is evident in his response, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46). This question reflects the common prejudice of the time against Nazareth, a small and seemingly insignificant town.

Philip invites Nathanael to "Come and see" (John 1:46), and upon meeting Jesus, Nathanael experiences a profound revelation. Jesus greets him with the words, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit" (John 1:47). Surprised by Jesus' knowledge of him, Nathanael asks, "How do You know me?" (John 1:48). Jesus answers, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree" (John 1:48). This statement convinces Nathanael of Jesus' divine insight, leading him to declare, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel" (John 1:49).

Jesus responds to Nathanael's confession with a promise of greater revelations: "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than these" (John 1:50). He further adds, "Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man" (John 1:51), alluding to the vision of Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28:12 and indicating the divine connection between heaven and earth through Jesus.

Role and Significance

Nathanael's encounter with Jesus highlights several key themes in the Gospel of John, including the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and the call to discipleship. His initial doubt, followed by a confession of faith, serves as a model for believers who may struggle with skepticism but are ultimately drawn to the truth of Christ.

Though Nathanael is not mentioned by name in the Synoptic Gospels, his identification with Bartholomew is supported by the pairing of Philip and Bartholomew in the apostolic lists (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14). This association suggests that Nathanael and Bartholomew are the same person, with Bartholomew being a patronymic, meaning "son of Tolmai."

Tradition and Legacy

Christian tradition holds that Nathanael, as Bartholomew, carried the Gospel to various regions, including India and Armenia, where he is believed to have been martyred. His legacy is celebrated in the Church as a faithful apostle who bore witness to the truth of Christ.

Nathanael's account encourages believers to move beyond initial doubts and embrace the transformative power of encountering Jesus. His life exemplifies the journey from skepticism to faith, underscoring the importance of personal revelation and the call to follow Christ wholeheartedly.Nathanael

the gift of God

Nathanael

(gift of God), a disciple of Jesus Christ, concerning whom, under that name at least, we learn from Scripture little more than his birthplace, Cana of Galilee, (John 21:2) and his simple, truthful character. (John 1:47) The name does not occur in the first three Gospels; but it is commonly believed that Nathanael and Bartholomew are the same person. The evidence for that belief is as follows: St, John who twice mentions Nathanael, never introduces the name of Bartholomew at all. St. Matthew, (Matthew 10:3) St. Mark, (Mark 3:18) and St. Luke, (Luke 8:14) all speak of Bartholomew but never of Nathanael. If was Philip who first brought Nathanael to Jesus, just as Andrew had brought his brother Simon.

Nathanael

A disciple of Christ, probably the same as BARTHOLOMEW, which see. He was a native of Cana in Galilee, John 21:2, and was one of the first to recognize the Messiah, who at their first interview manifested his perfect acquaintance with Nathanael's secret heart and life, John 1:45-51. He was introduced by Philip to Jesus, who on seeing him pronounced that remarkable eulogy which has rendered his name almost another word for sincerity: "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." He was one of the disciples to whom Christ appeared at the sea of Tiberias after his resurrection, John 21:2; and after witnessing the ascension returned with the other apostles to Jerusalem, Acts 1:4,12,13.

Given or gift of God, one of our Lord's disciples, "of Cana in Galilee" (John 21:2). He was "an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile" (1:47, 48). His name occurs only in the Gospel of John, who in his list of the disciples never mentions Bartholomew, with whom he has consequently been identified. He was one of those to whom the Lord showed himself alive after his resurrection, at the Sea of Tiberias. NATHANAEL (1)

na-than'-a-el (Nathanael):

(1) One of the "captains over thousands" who furnished the Levites with much cattle for Josiah's Passover (1 Esdras 1:9) equals "Nethanel" of 2 Chronicles 35:9.

(2) (Nathanaelos, Codices Vaticanus and Alexandrinus omit): One of the priests who had married a "strange wife" (1 Esdras 9:22) equals "Nethanel" of Ezra 10:22.

(3) An ancestor of Judith (Judith 8:1).

(4) One of the Twelve Apostles. See next article.

NATHANAEL (2)

(nethan'el, "God has given"; Nathanael): Nathanael, who was probably a fisherman, belonged to Cana in Galilee (John 21:2). According to the "Genealogies of the Twelve Apostles" (compare Budge, Contendings of the Apostles, II, 50), Nathanael was the same as Simon, the son of Cleopas, and was one of the Twelve. He was among those who met and conversed with Jesus during the preaching of John the Baptist at Bethany beyond Jordan (compare John 1:28). From the manner of the invitation extended to him by Philip (John 1:45), it is evident that Nathanael was well versed in ancient Scripture, and that in him also the preaching of John had aroused a certain expectancy. His reply to Philip, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? (John 1:46), was prompted, not by any ill repute of the place, but by its petty insignificance and familiarity in Nathanael's eyes. To this question Philip made no direct answer, but replied, "Come and see." It was the answer best fitted to the man and the occasion; it appealed to Nathanael's fair-mindedness and sincerity of purpose. He responded nobly to the call, and on approaching Jesus was received with the words: "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" (John 1:47). It was a tribute to that singleness of heart which enabled him to overcome his initial prejudice. The same candor and openness distinguished the after-interview of Nathanael with Jesus, as is evident by his question, "Whence knowest thou me?" (John 1:48). The reply of Jesus was not what he expected. It concerned the time he had spent under the fig tree, kneeling, no doubt, in silent prayer and communion with God, and brought to mind all the sacred hopes and aspirations of that hour. It taught him that here was One who read on the instant the inmost secrets of his heart, and was Himself the ideal for whom he was seeking; and it drew from him the confession, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel" (John 1:49).

Although Nathanael is mentioned by name only once again in the New Testament, where he is one of the seven who witnessed the appearance of the risen Jesus at the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:2), it is evident that the connection and companionship of Nathanael with Jesus must have been much closer than those two incidents would lead us to suppose. Accordingly, attempts have been made to identify him with other New Testament characters, the most commonly accepted being Bartholomew (compare BARTHOLOMEW). The principal arguments in support of this identification are:

(1) Nathanael is never mentioned by the synoptists, and Bartholomew is never mentioned by John, who further implies that Nathanael was one of the twelve disciples (compare John 20:24-26; John 21:2);

(2) in the Synoptists, Philip is closely connected with Bartholomew (compare lists of the apostles), and in John with Nathaniel (compare John 1:45;);

(3) the fact that most of the other apostles bear two names. Arguments are also adduced to identify him with Simon the Cananean (compare SIMON). Nathanael has also been identified with Matthew and Mattbias (based on the similarity of name-meanings), with John the son of Zebedee, with Stephen, and even with Paul.

C. M. Kerr

3482. Nathanael -- Nathanael (probably the same as Bartholomew)
... 3481, 3482. Nathanael. 3483 . Nathanael (probably the same as Bartholomew).
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3482.htm - 6k

918. Bartholomaios -- "son of Tolmai," Bartholomew, one of the ...
... Transliteration: Bartholomaios Phonetic Spelling: (bar-thol-om-ah'-yos) Short
Definition: Bartholomew Definition: Bartholomew, surname of Nathanael, one of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/918.htm - 7k

The First Disciples: iv. Nathanael
... THE FIRST DISCIPLES: IV. NATHANAEL. ... And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good
thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.47. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first disciples iv nathanael.htm

The Calling of Nathanael.
... Section 115. The Calling of Nathanael. In ... reach. Nathanael was to see "greater
things" than this isolated ray of the supernatural. ...
/.../section 115 the calling of.htm

Under the Fig-Tree.
... Upon being called Philip went in search of Nathanael to tell him that he (Philip)
had found the Christ. Nathanael was somewhat doubtful ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/under the fig-tree.htm

John i. 49, 50
... john. Homily XXI. John i. 49, 50. John i.49, 50 "Nathanael answered and saith unto
Him, Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God, Thou art the King of Israel. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxi john i 49.htm

An Israelite Indeed
... glorious testimony? Who is this Nathanael, of whom so remarkable an account
is given in the latter part of the chapter before us? [John ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 90 an israelite indeed.htm

Jesus Makes his First Disciples.
... [It appears that Peter afterward removed to Capernaum"Mark 1:29.] 45 Philip findeth
Nathanael [Nathanael is commonly identified with Bartholomew for the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxi jesus makes his first.htm

The First Disciples.
... Jesus found him and said, "Follow Me." And he not only followed Jesus, but he went
joyfully to find his friend, Nathanael, and tell him that they had found the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter viii the first disciples.htm

Jesus Answered and Said unto Him, Get Thee Hence...
... [393] And Philip found Nathanael, and said unto him, He of whom ... [394] Nathanael said
unto him, Is it possible that there can be any good thing from Nazareth? ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section v jesus answered and.htm

The First Disciples by the Jordan.
... Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, "We have found him, of whom Moses
in the law and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the first disciples by the.htm

Jesus Wins Devoted Friends
... Philip, finding Nathanael, 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." But ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus wins devoted friends.htm

Nathanael (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NATHANAEL (1). ... (3) An ancestor of Judith (Judith
8:1). (4) One of the Twelve Apostles. See next article. NATHANAEL (2). ...
/n/nathanael.htm - 13k

Zealot (4 Occurrences)
... Simon has been identified with Simon the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3 Matthew 13:55),
but there also are reasons in favor of identifying him with Nathanael. ...
/z/zealot.htm - 12k

Canaanite (74 Occurrences)
... Simon has been identified with Simon the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3 Matthew 13:55),
but there also are reasons in favor of identifying him with Nathanael. ...
/c/canaanite.htm - 36k

Cananaean (2 Occurrences)
... Simon has been identified with Simon the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3 Matthew 13:55),
but there also are reasons in favor of identifying him with Nathanael. ...
/c/cananaean.htm - 10k

Nathan'a-el (6 Occurrences)
Nathan'a-el. Nathanael, Nathan'a-el. Nathaneel . Multi-Version Concordance
Nathan'a-el (6 Occurrences). John 1:45 Philip findeth ...
/n/nathan'a-el.htm - 7k

Bartholomew (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Son of Tolmai, one of the twelve apostles (Matthew
10:3; Acts 1:13); generally supposed to have been the same as Nathanael. ...
/b/bartholomew.htm - 10k

Nazareth (29 Occurrences)
... It is supposed from the words of Nathanael in John 1:46 that the city of Nazareth
was held in great disrepute, either because, it is said, the people of ...
/n/nazareth.htm - 24k

Philip (37 Occurrences)
... He readily responded to the call of Jesus when first addressed to him (43),
and forthwith brought Nathanael also to Jesus (45, 46). ...
/p/philip.htm - 32k

Israelite (83 Occurrences)
... Occurs 4 times in the New Testament: of Nathanael (John 1:47); used by Paul (Romans
9:4; Romans 11:1 2 Corinthians 11:22). Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/israelite.htm - 33k

Matthias (2 Occurrences)
... The mode of procedure was by lot, and with prayer was the election made (compare
Acts 1:24). Hilgenfeld identifies Matthias with Nathanael (compare NATHANAEL). ...
/m/matthias.htm - 9k

Who was Nathanael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Bartholomew in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Philip in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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