How did bartholomew meet jesus face
There is a fascinating, roundabout story in how Bartholomew came to be one of the twelve disciples:
Jesus walked by his cousin, John the Baptist, who encouraged two of his own followers to follow Christ. One of those two was Andrew, who went and found his brother, Simon Peter. Andrew and Simon Peter had a friend from their hometown, Philip, so Jesus went there to speak to him. Philip told his friend, Bartholomew, that he had found the messiah, and Bartholomew encountered Jesus for himself and confessed him as the Son of God (John 1).
Isn’t this how human beings work? When we find something important, we recommend it to our friends. In today’s age, we “like” something on Facebook, or “re-tweet” it on Twitter.
As Bartholomew experienced, however, nothing replaces a face-to-face encounter—it was only when he met Jesus for himself that he believed.
Bartholomew’s personal encounter with Christ changed him so fundamentally that he traveled as far as India to tell others about Jesus. He was willing to even die for this faith: he was flayed alive before being beheaded.
Jesus assembled his followers by diving into a network of relationships. He continues to do this today—he continues to call us within the relationships of our own lives. Let us be open to that call from others and respond, as Bartholomew did, by seeking a one-on-one encounter with Christ.
St. Bartholomew is depicted in stained glass in the Morrissey hall chapel; the knives are a sign of his martyrdom (he was skinned alive and beheaded). His relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, and this illustration of him is held by the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. He is patron of those with neurological diseases, butchers and leatherworkers.
In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Bartholomew is always shown accompanying Philip; the name Bartholomew does not appear in the Gospel of John, but tradition holds that he is called Nathaniel in that Gospel because Nathaniel is shown in the compan
The Inspiring Story of St. Bartholomew: Faith, Martyrdom, and Courage
The story of St. Bartholomew is a compelling tale of faith and martyrdom that continues to inspire Christians worldwide. Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was chosen as one of the Twelve Apostles by Jesus himself to spread the message of love and salvation.
Encountering Jesus
Bartholomew’s journey with Jesus began when his friend Philip introduced him to the Messiah. Initially skeptical, Bartholomew questioned how anything good could come from Nazareth. However, upon meeting Jesus, he was deeply moved by the wisdom and compassion emanating from him.
Recognizing something special in Bartholomew, Jesus called him to be one of his disciples. As a faithful follower, Bartholomew witnessed the miracles and teachings of Jesus with awe and wonder. He was known for his contemplative nature, often found in prayer and meditation, seeking to deepen his understanding of the mysteries of faith.
Testing of Faith and Resurrection
Bartholomew’s faith faced a severe test when Jesus was arrested and crucified. Like the other apostles, he experienced fear and confusion after this profound loss. However, his faith was renewed when he encountered the risen Lord, affirming the reality of the resurrection.
Spreading the Good News
Following the Ascension of Jesus, Bartholomew devoted his life to sharing the Gospel globally. He traveled extensively, preaching the message of hope and performing miracles in Jesus’ name. His ministry touched many lives, leading to conversions and baptisms.
Persecution and Martyrdom
Bartholomew’s unwavering faith and courage attracted the attention of those in power. He faced persecution and threats from religious and political authorities who aimed to silence him. Despite the hardships, Bartholomew remained resolute in his commitment to Christ, refusing to renounce his faith.
Tradition holds that Bartholomew met a violent end, being flayed alive and later crucified for his b Most depictions of St. Bartholomew (also known in the Gospel of John as Nathanael) fall into one of two categories – with skin or without. Legend has it is that he travelled throughout the known world preaching the Gospel before he was eventually martyred by being flayed alive and then crucified upside down. Ouch. What I appreciate most about Pierre Le Gros the Younger’s depiction of St. Bartholomew (from the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome) is the fact that he is shown holding the knife and offering his flayed skin as a sacrifice to God, a symbol of his total surrender to the love of Christ that met him under a fig tree. Bartholomew first learns of Jesus through the witness of Philip who tells him that he has found the one “about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote.” Bartholomew is skeptical, but is invited by Philip to see for himself. What he finds is a man who notices him and sees him in a very profound way. This exchange between Philip, Bartholomew, and Jesus reminds me of the words in 1 John 4.19, “We love because [God] first loved us.” Before we notice Christ, he notices us and calls us. Jesus met Bartholomew while he was standing under a fig tree long before Bartholomew ever met Jesus. This example of God preceding grace moved Bartholomew so deeply that he immediately left all that he had and followed Christ. Scripture does not contain much about Bartholomew other than his conversion under the fig tree, and maybe that is enough. Maybe the significance of Bartholomew in God’s salvation story is as a touchstone of transformation. Perhaps an appropriate question to commemorate the Feast of St. Bartholomew is “where were you when Jesus found you?” Phrased a little differently, “where did you first become aware of the presence of Christ in your life?” These questions are ones that are often considered by those in evangelical Christian traditions who describe themselves as “born again”; but my experience is that this question is no Saint Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is known for his deep faith and commitment to spreading the Gospel. The Bible first mentions him when Philip introduces him to Jesus. Jesus praises Bartholomew as a man “in whom there is no deceit.” He was born in Cana of Galilee. He may have known Jesus or heard of Him before being introduced. When Jesus called him, he was surprised by how much Jesus knew about him. This encounter strengthened his faith and led him to follow Jesus as an apostle. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Bartholomew traveled to share the Good News. Tradition says he went to places like India, Armenia, and possibly other regions. He preached about Jesus and helped many people come to believe. Saint Bartholomew faced many challenges but remained strong in his faith. He eventually died as a martyr for his beliefs. Today, he is honored as a saint, and his feast day is celebrated on August 24th. He is a reminder of the courage it takes to live a faithful life. Saint Bartholomew, also called Nathanael, was born in Cana of Galilee. This small town is known for the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. Not much is known about Bartholomew’s family or childhood. However, like many people of his time, he probably grew up in a close-knit community. In those days, life in Cana was simple. People worked hard to provide for their families. Bartholomew may have worked as a farmer or tradesman. The people in his village would have known each other well. This close community likely helped shape his character. Bartholomew was a man of deep faith, even before he met Jesus. He was likely familiar with Jewish teachings and traditions. This foundation helped him recognize the truth in Jesus’ message. His knowledge of the scriptures also prepared him for his future role as an apostle. His early life w St. Bartholomew, Apostle
Free Resources and Reflections for Monday August 24, 2026
A Humble Beginning