Nathanael was a disciple of Jesus from Cana in Galilee, commended by Jesus as an Israelite without deceit. He is commonly identified with Bartholomew, though the identification is not stated explicitly.
Definition
Nathanael was a disciple of Jesus from Cana in Galilee. He is characterized as an Israelite without deceit and is commonly identified with Bartholomew, since John names Nathanael while the other Gospel lists name Bartholomew and omit Nathanael. The identification is traditional rather than explicitly stated in Scripture.
Biblical Usage
Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus. Jesus commended his simple and truthful character, calling him an Israelite in whom was no guile. Nathanael was among the disciples to whom the risen Christ appeared beside the Sea of Tiberias.
Historical Background
Nathanael’s name occurs in John but not in the first three Gospels, while Bartholomew appears in those Gospel lists but not in John’s list. This difference is the principal basis for their customary identification.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Given or gift of God, one of our Lord’s disciples, “of Cana in Galilee” (John 21:2). He was “an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile” (1:47, 48). His name occurs only in the Gospel of John, who in his list of the disciples never mentions Bartholomew, with whom he has consequently been identified. He was one of those to whom the Lord showed himself alive after his resurrection, at the Sea of Tiberias.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(gift of God), a disciple of Jesus Christ, concerning whom, under that name at least, we learn from Scripture little more than his birthplace, Cana of Galilee, (John 21:2) and his simple, truthful character. (John 1:47) The name does not occur in the first three Gospels; but it is commonly believed that Nathanael and Bartholomew are the same person. The evidence for that belief is as follows: St, John who twice mentions Nathanael, never introduces the name of Bartholomew at all. St. Matthew, (Matthew 10:3) St. Mark, (Mark 3:18) and St. Luke, (Luke 8:14) all speak of Bartholomew but never of Nathanael. If was Philip who first brought Nathanael to Jesus, just as Andrew had brought his brother Simon.
