St. Bartholomew was one of the 12 apostles, and is mentioned only in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14, Matt. 10:3) and in Acts 1:13.

The name "Bartholomew" means literally "son of Talmai," which is an ancient Hebrew name that shows us, at the very least, that Bartholomew was Hebrew. Bartholomew may not have been his proper name, but something to distinguish him as the son of Talmai.

Tradition says that St. Bartholomew preached in India and gave converts the Gospel of St. Matthew. Different from our modern understanding of the location of India, the name "India" was used to describe the countries of Arabia, Ethiopia, Libya, Parthia and the lands of the Medea. He is also said to have spread the news of Christ to Mesopotamia, Persia and Egypt. Popular tradition says that from India, he went on to Greater Armenia, where he was arrested and martyred. While some traditions say that he was beheaded, others say that he was flayed alive and crucified upside down.

There is some dispute about where St. Bartholomew's relics are now located. Both Benevento and St. Bartholomew-in-the-Tiber in Rome claim to possess the relics of the apostle.

Fragments of an apocryphal gospel of St. Bartholomew survive, and were condemned in the decree of Pseudo-Gelasius.