Nathanael (follower of Jesus)
Nathanael,[Note 1] also known as Nathaniel[Note 2] of Cana was a disciple of Jesus, mentioned only in chapters 1 and 21 of the Gospel of John.
He is typically viewed as the same person as Bartholomew.[1]
Gospel account
In the Gospel of John, Nathanael is introduced as a friend of Philip, from Bethsaida (1:43-44).[2] The first disciples who follow Jesus are portrayed as reaching out immediately to family or friends: thus, Philip found Nathanael and 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".[3]
Nathanael is described as initially being skeptical about whether the
He reappears (as "Nathanael of Cana") at the end of John's Gospel, as one of the disciples to whom Jesus appeared at the Sea of Galilee after the Resurrection.[2][7]
Identification as Bartholomew
Nathanael is usually identified with Bartholomew the Apostle mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts 1:13.[2][8] The reason for this identification is Bartholomew being a surname (Nathanael Bar-Tolmai; meaning Nathanael, son of Tolmai), and because Bartholomew and Philip are always paired together in the synoptic gospels.[9] The earliest known example of this identification is from Ishodad of Merv (c. 850). The earliest known reference in the West is in Rupert of Deutz (d. 1129).
However, some disagree with this identification.
Notes
References
- ^ "Are Bartholomew and Nathanael the same person in the Bible?". Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture. August 24, 2022.
- ^ a b c Driscoll, James F. (1911). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 10. New York: Robert Appleton Company. . In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).
- ^ John 1:45
- ^ John 1:46
- ^ John 1:47
- ^ John 1:49
- ^ John 21:2
- ^ "John Wesley's Notes on the Gospel according to Saint John: Chapter 1". Wesley Center Online. Northwest Nazarene University. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ DRISCOLL, JAMES F. "Nathanael". Catholic Answers.
- ^ "Catena Aurea by St. Thomas Aquinas". www.ecatholic2000.com. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- S2CID 170347938.