Ref: Mt 10:3, Mk 3:18, Lk 6:14, Jn 1:45-51, 21:2, Acts 1:13
Nathanael (also Bartholomew) was from Cana in Galilee and was a friend of Philip. Nathanael only appears in the gospel of John however as Bartholemew is always grouped together with Philip in the synoptics, it is believed that Nathanael and Bartholomew are one and the same. Bartholomew is Aramaic for son of Telmai, so likely he was properly known as Nathnael of Cana son of Telmai. Nathanael is one of Jesus’ earliest disciples but other than his calling and being amongst those who went fishing after the resurrection, we hear nothing further concerning him other than his inclusion in the lists of the twelve.
In the days following Jesus’ return from his temptation in the wilderness, Philip came to Nathanael telling him he had found the one who Moses in the law, and also the prophets wrote: Jesus of Nazareth son of Joseph. Nathanel was sceptical that anything good could arise from Nazareth but came with Philip to meet him. This scepticism probably amounted to no less than a local rivalry between the towns of Cana and Nazareth. Jesus seeing Nathanael coming to him called him a true Israelite in whom there was no deceit. Such an assessment shows Jesus’ insight into Nathanael’s character. He was an honest man and a good representation of what it meant to be an Israelite. Nathanael upon meeting Jesus addressed him as Rabbi and proclaimed that he was the Son of God, the King of Israel. We see Nathanael’s eagerness to believe in Jesus, albeit without much understanding. Nathanael believed based upon the testimony of his friend Philip combined with Jesus’ foresight of his character. Upon his first meeting with Jesus, he felt that Jesus knew him. Jesus was impressed by Nathanael’s faith and told him he would see far greater things to come. In fact he would see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. Jesus here is using an Old Testament analogy and citing Jacob’s vision of a stairway to heaven. In Genesis 28:12 Jacob had a vision of a ladder upon the earth, that reached up to heaven, with the angels of God ascending and descending upon it. Jesus applies this analogy to himself. He is the ladder or in other words the way to heaven and the point in which heaven and earth meet. By Jesus referring to this he is affirming Philip’s witness to Nathanael that the Old Testament does indeed speak of him.
Other than his calling at the beginning of John’s gospel Nathanael appears once more at the end. Following the resurrection Nathanael is amongst seven disciples back in Galilee who go fishing. It is whilst fishing that Jesus appears to them, they have a miraculous catch of fish and the disciples and Jesus have breakfast together.
We hear no further information concerning Nathanael although we can piece together bits. Nathanael followed Jesus throughout the entire time of his ministry. He was a witness to the resurrection and the ascension, he was present at Pentecost and was amongst the apostles in the early days of the Church in Jerusalem. Nathanael was first sceptical about Jesus but came to him eagerly. Though he was quick to affirm that Jesus was the Messiah, he still had to walk out his faith. Like all the disciples he had his moments of doubt and even fled with them when Jesus was arrested. Yet Jesus had called Nathanael and he who had begun the good work would see it through to completion. Before the cross Nathanael confessed Jesus was the Messiah in hope but after the resurrection he proclaimed Jesus was the Messiah with conviction.