Philip, often confused with Philip the Evangelist, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and played a significant role in the early Christian Church. The name “Philip” is of Greek origin, meaning “lover of horses.” The exact year of his birth is unknown, but he is believed to have been born in the early 1st century AD in Bethsaida, a town in Galilee. Philip’s parents’ names are not mentioned in the Bible.
Early Life of Philip
Not much is known about Philip’s early life before he became an apostle. He was likely raised in a Jewish family in Bethsaida and may have been a fisherman like Peter and Andrew.
Biblical Timeline
Jesus Calls Philip
Philip was called to be a disciple by Jesus himself. The Gospel of John records this event: “The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me'” (John 1:43).
Philip Introduces Nathanael to Jesus
After Jesus called Philip to be his disciple, Philip found Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew) and told him about Jesus, saying, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). When Nathanael expressed skepticism, Philip invited him to meet Jesus, saying, “Come and see” (John 1:46).
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
Philip played a notable role in the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Jesus tested Philip by asking him where they could buy bread to feed the large crowd. Philip responded, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7). This event led to Jesus miraculously feeding the multitude with five loaves of bread and two fish (John 6:1-13).
The Last Supper
During the Last Supper, Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, to which Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:8-9).
Death of Philip
The Bible does not record the exact details of Philip’s death. However, according to various early Christian traditions, Philip was martyred for his faith, possibly in Hierapolis, in present-day Turkey. Some accounts suggest that he was crucified upside down or beheaded.
Additional Notes
Philip is often confused with another Philip mentioned in the Bible, known as Philip the Evangelist or Philip the Deacon, who was one of the seven deacons chosen to care for the Hellenistic widows in the early Church (Acts 6:1-6). The two Philips should not be confused, as they are distinct individuals with different roles in the New Testament.
Extrabiblical References to Philip
There are limited extrabiblical references to Philip the Apostle. Early Christian writings, such as the works of Eusebius and Polycrates, provide some information about his life and death.