The Stilton Group of Churches

Nathanael, believed to be the disciple Bartholomew, experienced a jarring first

encounter with Jesus. When the Apostle Philip called him to come and meet the Messiah,

Nathanael was skeptical, but he followed along anyway.

 

As Philip introduced him to Jesus, the Lord declared, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom

there is nothing false." Immediately Nathanael wanted to know, "How do you know me?"

 

Jesus got his attention when he answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig

tree before Philip called you." Well, that stopped Nathanael in his tracks. Shocked and

surprised he declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."

Nathanael garnered only a few lines in the Gospels, nevertheless, in that instant he

became a loyal follower of Jesus Christ.

 

Nathanael was one of the 12 original apostles of Jesus Christ. Little is written about him

the Gospels and book of Acts.

 

Most Bible scholars believe Nathanael and Bartholomew were the same person.

The name Bartholomew is a family designation, meaning "son of Tolmai."

Nathanael means "gift of God." In the synoptic Gospels, the name Bartholomew always

follows Philip in lists of the Twelve.

 

In the Gospel of John, Bartholomew is not mentioned at all; Nathanael is listed instead,

after Philip.

 

John also describes Nathanael's call by Philip. The two may have been friends, for Nathanael scoffs, "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" (John 1:46, NIV) Seeing the two men approach, Jesus calls Nathanael a "true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false," then reveals that he saw Nathanael sitting under a fig tree before Philip called him.

 

Nathanael responds to Jesus' vision by proclaiming him the Son of God, the King of Israel. Church tradition says Nathanael carried a translation of Matthew's Gospel to northern India. Legend claims he was crucified upside down in Albania.

 

Accomplishments of Nathanael:

Nathanael accepted Jesus' call and became his disciple. He witnessed the Ascensionand became a missionary, spreading the gospel.

 

Nathanael's Strengths:

Upon meeting Jesus for the first time, Nathanael overcame his skepticism about the insignificance of Nazareth and left his past behind. He died a martyr's death for Christ.

 

Nathanael's Weaknesses:

Like most of the other disciples, Nathanael abandoned Jesus during his trial and crucifixion.

 

Life Lessons from Nathanael:

Our personal prejudices can skew our judgment. 

By being open to God's word, we come to know the truth.

 

Hometown:

Cana in Galilee

 

Referenced in the Bible:

Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; John 1:45-49, 21:2; Acts 1:13.

 

Occupation:

Early life unknown, later, disciple of Jesus Christ.

 

Family Tree:

Father - Tolmai

 

Key Verses:

John 1:47 
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." (NIV)

 

John 1:49
Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."(NIV)