Note 2 at Mr 3:18: Bartholomew is mentioned only four times in Scripture and only in the four listings of the apostles. It is possible that Bartholomew was Nathanael's surname. This assumption is based on two things: (1) In three out of the four listings, Philip and Bartholomew are listed together, reminiscent of Philip bringing Nathanael to Jesus (Joh 1:43-51). (2) In Joh 21:2, Nathanael is mentioned as being present with six "other of his disciples," suggesting that Nathanael was one of the Twelve. However, since Nathanael is not listed in any of the four lists of apostles, that could mean that he was also known by another name, as was Judas (see note 4 at Lu 6:16). It is not possible to be authoritative about the link between Bartholomew and Nathanael when the Scripture isn't (see note 2 at Joh 1:45).

Note 3 at Mr 3:18: This Simon was called Simon the Canaanite to differentiate him from Simon Peter. The term "Canaanite" came either from being a native of Cana in Galilee or from the Hebrew word "QANA'" meaning "zealous" (Strong's Concordance). His name appears four times in Scripture. In Mt 10:4 and this verse, he is called Simon the Canaanite, while in Lu 6:15 and Ac 1:13, he is called Simon Zelotes (Greek - "ZELOTES"--"a Zealot" [Strong's Concordance]).

Although there was a fanatical party of patriotic Jews, called Zelotes, who rebelled against the Romans at this time, Scripture does not indicate that Simon Zelotes was involved with this party. At any rate, he was chosen by Jesus as one of the twelve apostles. Tradition says he may have been a brother of James, Matthew, and Judas and that he was martyred in Persia.