Nathanael (Bartholomew) – One of Jesus’ Disciples
Do you know Nathanael was a person who spread Christianity in India?
Nathanael traveled to many countries to bring the message of Christianity to the people. Nathanael translated the Bible in Africa as well as in India and brought its message to the people.
Do you know about the painful death of Nathanael?
Nathanael played a very important role in spreading Christianity. However, his death was very painful. It is heard that he was killed by removing his skin and giving pain. It is very painful to peel the skin of a living person in front of him.
Introduction
Nathanael was one of Christ’s disciples. In the beginning, Nathanael was in doubt, but later he was convinced that Jesus Christ is a prophet from God. Nathanael was introduced to Christ by Philip, and then he thought how he could be a prophet. Why would God raise up a prophet from a small place? Therefore, he doubted Christ that he must be a false person, but later he came to believe that Christ is true and a prophet of God.
Verse
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit. “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:45-51)
Doubt of Nathanael
Jesus was born in the area of Nazareth. When Philip told Nathanael about Jesus, we met a Christ and this is the Christ who is written in the book of Jews. Basically, there were all the signs in the book of Jews that a Messiah would come. So according to this book, Jesus was the Messiah. But the Jews could not believe this. The Philippians said that this is the same Christ that is in the Jewish book. When Nathanael heard this, he thought that a messenger had come from Nazareth? It was a doubtful thing for him. Nathaniel was such a person who did not do anything without research.
Verse
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. (John 1:46)
Converting of Nathanael’s Belief
God used to send his prophets with miracles. Through these miracles, people can easily believe that he is a prophet of God. When the Philippi brought Nathanael to Jesus for a meeting, Jesus immediately said: “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” He was very surprised by this because a normal person could not tell this thing, so he asked Jesus that you had never met me, so how did you know that I am an Israelite? God had told Jesus everything from His knowledge of the unseen. Because of which Jesus knew everything. When Nathanael asked him how he knew him? So he told that I saw you when you were by the fig tree, talking with Philip. This surprised Nathanael. He understood that he is not an ordinary person. This is actually the king of Israel and God’s prophet. After that he believed in Jesus and accepted Christianity.
Verse
“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” (John 1:48)
Verse
Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” (John 1:49)
Character of Nathanael
Nathanael’s character was very pure. Christian scholars combine Nathanael’s character with Jacob. Jesus called Nathanael a “true Israelite” and Jacob also received the title of “Israel”. Therefore, their character was very good. They were very truthful and honest. Jesus’ words to Nathanael “the Israelite” made all the scholars think that he is the reflection of Jacob. Nathanael was a very faithful and loving person, which made him very close to Jesus.
Verse
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” (John 1:47)
Role of Nathanael
Nathanael was a very truthful and honest person. He was the owner of such a personality that he did not believe anything or a rumor without research. Therefore, he doubted Jesus, but when he believed that Jesus was God’s prophet, he remained faithful to Jesus until death. Nathanael was a very special disciple of Jesus and he was with Jesus at various events. This shows that Nathanael had a very special place in Jesus’ heart. He was one of the most important disciples among the 12 disciples.
Verse
“Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;” (Matthew 10:3)
“Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot.” (Mark 3:18)
“Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,” (Luke 6:14)
Nathanael With Jesus After Resurrection of Christ
After Jesus, his closest disciples played an important role in bringing Christianity to the people. Once Nathanael was preaching in Galilee then Jesus came back from the dead and appeared there. The Bible also mentions Nathanael with Jesus. This gives us an idea that he stayed with Jesus even after his resurrection. This proves that Nathanael was a very special person to Jesus. After Jesus, his disciples preached the word of God. The disciples of Jesus traveled to different places and explained God’s message to the people.
Verse
“Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.” (John 21:2)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Nathaniel’s personality is a perfect example for us that God guides the person who has a pure heart. Like Nathaniel, he had a pure heart. He had doubted the personality of Jesus but he researched and God had mercy on him which led him to the straight path. If we have true faith in our hearts, then God will lead us to the right path. Nathaniel’s life is a perfect example for us that he made a place in Jesus’ heart with his faithfulness and love, and God chose Nathaniel. He spread the message of Christianity to the world until his death.
