By Philip and Bartholomew: Best Friends and Apostles of Jesus Christ
This week’s Surrounding Jesus is about Philip and Bartholomew.
Philip and Bartholomew
Born near the Sea of Galilee and raised in Bethsaida, Philip, was named after the tetrarch, Philip the tetrarch King of Ituraea. Philip was likely raised as a Hellenistic Jew and spoke Greek. Upon Jesus calling him to follow him, Philip immediately ran to find his friend Bartholomew (aka Nathaniel). He tells him in John 1:45 “we have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth”
Philip’s Connection to gospel writer, John.
It’s likely that Philip became quick friends with John, or perhaps they knew each other in some capacity. Because In John’s gospel, Philip is referenced more than he is in the other gospels.
There are rumors that Philip preached in south Russia as well as France. Philip is the only apostle with any association to France. There is also tradition of Philip in Galatia. It was Papias, a hierapolitan, a disciple of John actually, who collected traditions surrounding the apostles. It’s through the traditions mentioned in his writings that we gain insight that Philip likely lived in Hierapolis at some point, at the very least he died there. It is also written in Papias writings that Philip had daughters.
Philip’s Tomb Found
An Italian professor, Francesco D’ Andria announced in 2011 that they had found the tomb of the apostle Philip in Hierapolis. The Martyrium of Philip structure dates back to the 5th century. It is believed that Philip chose to be crucified facing down. Pope John III would go on to acquire the body of Philip in the 6th century, and brought it to Rome. In saying that, I want to make it clear that this is all based on traditions and historical writings.
Bartholomew
The one also known as Nathanael.
Coming from the house of Naphtali, we learn this in the genealogies of the Twelve Apostles. Philip and Bartholomew were best friends and in many of the gospel accounts, they appear together.
There is a recorded tradition that he visited India and preached the gospel there. It’s thought that he could have left a copy of Matthew’s gospel in Hebrew. There are modern stories that Jesus went to India, the real story here is that Bartholomew went to India and brought the story of Jesus to the people of India in the first century. If not Bartholomew, it was likely St. Thomas who brought Christianity to India. Jesus himself was never in India. I want to make that clear. It should also be mentioned that in ancient times, India was a term used with a broad sense.
Bartholomew’s Appearance
We get insight from The Apostolic History of Abdias on a physical appearance of Batholomew, “He has black, curly hair, white skin, large eyes, straight nose, his hair covers his ears, his beard long and grizzled, middle height. He wears a white robe with a purple stripe and a white cloack with four purple gems at the corners. For Twenty-six years he has worn these, and they never grow old. His shoes have lasted twenty-six years. He prays a hundred times a day and a hundred times a night. His voice is like a trumpet; angels wair upon him; he is always cheerful, and knows all languages.”
Death
The traditions state that Bartholomew was brutally beaten to the point his skin was removed, and then he was beheaded. The Relics of Bartholomew appear to rest in various places. More research is needed to understand how they got to these locations and the authenticity of the relics deserves a deeper look into the death and burial of the Apostle Bartholomew.
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