The apostle Bartholomew of the Synoptic Gospels is identified by most scholars today as Nathanael in John’s Gospel. In the list of the Twelve (apostles), he is paired with Philip, while in John, Philip is the one who introduces Nathanael to Jesus (1:46). The call of Nathanael by Jesus through Philip highlights the themes of divine knowledge, revelation, and the transformative power of encounter with Jesus. Philip invites Nathanael to “come and see” (v 46). This leads Nathanael to encounter Jesus personally. It reminds us of our role in inviting others to experience Christ, not just through words, but through personal encounter and relationship. Nathanael’s initial skepticism, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (v 46) reflects our prejudices and doubts. Yet, his willingness to come and see exemplifies an openness to being surprised by God. This recognition leads Nathanael to a profound declaration of faith: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God” (v 49). Jesus promises Nathanael that he will see “greater things” (v 50), in reference to the vision of Jacob’s ladder (Gn 28:12), where heaven and earth connect. May we embrace Jesus’ invitation to the first disciples, “Come, and you will see” (Jn 1:39). May we commit ourselves to living and sharing the Gospel with courage and perseverance.

After his initial encounter with Jesus, Nathanael-Bartolomew became a devoted follower, witnessing to Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection. Tradition holds that he preached the Gospel in several countries (Mesopotamia, Parthia, Armenia, Lycaonia, and Ethiopia), enduring great hardships and dying as a martyr for his faith.

The angel spoke to me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”