Collections of SaintsA name in the lists of the Twelve. Tradition identifies him with Nathanael, but Scripture does not explicitly make that identification.
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Matthew 10:2–4 includes Bartholomew in the apostolic list. The synoptic Gospels do not provide an individual calling scene. Tradition connects this name with Nathanael, who appears beside Philip in John’s Gospel.
USCCBThe Holy SeeRead in context ↓
John 1:45–51 tells of Philip inviting Nathanael to meet Jesus. His doubt about Nazareth turns into a confession after Jesus says he saw him beneath the fig tree. The account describes Nathanael; its connection with Bartholomew remains a traditional identification.
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John 21:2 names Nathanael of Cana among disciples near the Sea of Tiberias. Under the traditional identification, this contributes to Bartholomew’s portrait. The text itself still uses Nathanael; readers should know that interpretive step is being made.
USCCBRead in context ↓
Acts 1:13 names Bartholomew within the apostolic community. Later sources associate him with distant missions, but provide no single secure route. Benedict XVI’s catechesis explicitly acknowledges the lack of precise information about his apostolic activity.
USCCBThe Holy SeeRead in context ↓
The flaying account became popular in later tradition and medieval art. It is not a New Testament episode. The basilica on Tiber Island venerates remains attributed to him; a place of veneration does not establish the precise manner or year of his death.
The Holy SeeBasilica San Bartolomeo all’IsolaRead in context ↓Matthew 10:2–4 includes Bartholomew in the apostolic list. The synoptic Gospels do not provide an individual calling scene. Tradition connects this name with Nathanael, who appears beside Philip in John’s Gospel.
USCCBThe Holy SeeJohn 1:45–51 tells of Philip inviting Nathanael to meet Jesus. His doubt about Nazareth turns into a confession after Jesus says he saw him beneath the fig tree. The account describes Nathanael; its connection with Bartholomew remains a traditional identification.
USCCBJohn 21:2 names Nathanael of Cana among disciples near the Sea of Tiberias. Under the traditional identification, this contributes to Bartholomew’s portrait. The text itself still uses Nathanael; readers should know that interpretive step is being made.
USCCBActs 1:13 names Bartholomew within the apostolic community. Later sources associate him with distant missions, but provide no single secure route. Benedict XVI’s catechesis explicitly acknowledges the lack of precise information about his apostolic activity.
USCCBThe Holy SeeThe flaying account became popular in later tradition and medieval art. It is not a New Testament episode. The basilica on Tiber Island venerates remains attributed to him; a place of veneration does not establish the precise manner or year of his death.
The Holy SeeBasilica San Bartolomeo all’IsolaThe Bartholomew–Nathanael identification is traditional. The flaying account became popular in medieval tradition and art; it should not be treated as eyewitness reporting. Mission routes and the death year remain uncertain.
These attributions follow site custodians, not biological testing of identity. The locations are a selection, not an inventory of all fragments.
The church of San Bartolomeo all’Isola on Tiber Island, Rome. Its custodians identify it as a location for the veneration of Bartholomew’s relics.
Gobbler · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo source · 2009-09 · Resized and converted to WebP.The basilica on Tiber Island venerates relics attributed to Bartholomew. A tenth- to eleventh-century bronze basin is traditionally associated with transporting relics from Benevento. The historic vessel and the attribution of the remains should be read separately; this page does not claim to list every relic fragment.
Basilica San Bartolomeo all’IsolaBasilica San Bartolomeo all’IsolaSources checked: 2 October 2026
View place →Sources checked: 2 October 2026
Artistic illustrationAn apostle from Bethsaida who brings Nathanael to Jesus and asks an important question about the Father.
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