LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Biographical Study of Nathanael
Nathanael, a True Israelite
Submitted to Dr. Woo in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the completion of the course
NBST 515-D02
New Testament Orientation I
by
John W. Kirby (ID# 26195418)
August 2015
Contents
Thesis Statement 1
Introduction 1
The Name 1
Bartholomew 2
Patronymic 2
Aramaic, son of Tolmai 2
Nathanael 3
Personal 3
Hebrew Meaning, God’s Gift 3
The Call 4
Introduction by Philip 4
Nathanael sought out by his friend 4
We have found the Messiah 5
Call by Jesus 5
Compliment from the LORD 6
Greater things to come 6
The Man 7
Skeptical Student 7
Old Testament knowledge of the Messiah 7
Geographical indifference (Cana / Nazareth) 8
Confident Confirmation 8
You are the Son of God 8
You are the King of Israel 9
The Witness 9
Mission Work 9
India 10
Armenia 11
Death 12
Conclusion 13
Bibliography 14
Thesis Statement
Studying the life of the Apostle Nathanael can provide an example for someone to introduce Jesus to their friends and the impact of someone personally evangelizing a friend.
Introduction
There are not many references to the Apostle Nathanael in the New Testament. One of the references is by Jesus in John 1:47, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”1 This complement is one that most Believers would like to hear from the LORD. Nathanael is referenced only in the Gospel of John and is paired with Philip. Philip is paired with Bartholomew in the Synoptic Gospels. The research of Nathanael needs to include sources outside of Scripture including commentaries and information about the Apostles in general. It is believed that Nathanael’s missionary journeys included parts of Asia. Therefore a review of Christianity in Asia can reveal information about the Apostle.
In John’s Gospel, Nathanael seems to have a knowledge of the Torah and Prophets and questions Philip’s...