Philip

About Philip Written by AI

Philip was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, chosen by Him to be part of His inner circle of disciples. He was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter (John 1:44). Philip is first mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in the lists of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14). In the Gospel of John, he is introduced in the narrative of Jesus calling His first disciples. After being called by Jesus, Philip found Nathanael and told him about Jesus, describing Him as the one Moses and the prophets wrote about (John 1:45). Throughout the Gospel of John, Philip is portrayed as having a close relationship with Jesus. He was present at the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus tested him by asking where they could buy bread to feed the multitude (John 6:5 to 7). Philip was also approached by some Greeks who wanted to see Jesus, and he, along with Andrew, brought their request to Jesus (John 12:21 to 22). In John 14:8 to 9, Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, to which Jesus responded, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." After Jesus' ascension, Philip was among the apostles who gathered in Jerusalem to pray and await the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13). He played a significant role in the early Christian church and, according to tradition, preached the gospel in Phrygia and died a martyr's death in Hierapolis.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

This entry is on the name Philip, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.

Lover of horses. (1.) One of the twelve apostles; a native of Bethsaida, “the city of Andrew and Peter” (John 1:44). He readily responded to the call of Jesus when first addressed to him (43), and forthwith brought Nathanael also to Jesus (45,46). He seems to have held a prominent place among the apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; John 6:5-7; 12:21, 22; 14:8, 9; Acts 1:13). Of his later life nothing is certainly known. He is said to have preached in Phrygia, and to have met his death at Hierapolis.

(2.) One of the “seven” (Acts 6:5), called also “the evangelist” (21:8, 9). He was one of those who were “scattered abroad” by the persecution that arose on the death of Stephen. He went first to Samaria, where he laboured as an evangelist with much success (8:5-13). While he was there he received a divine command to proceed toward the south, along the road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. These towns were connected by two roads. The one Philip was directed to take was that which led through Hebron, and thence through a district little inhabited, and hence called “desert.” As he travelled along this road he was overtaken by a chariot in which sat a man of Ethiopia, the eunuch or chief officer of Queen Candace, who was at that moment reading, probably from the Septuagint version, a portion of the prophecies of Isaiah (53:6,7). Philip entered into conversation with him, and expounded these verses, preaching to him the glad tidings of the Saviour. The eunuch received the message and believed, and was forthwith baptized, and then “went on his way rejoicing.” Philip was instantly caught away by the Spirit after the baptism, and the eunuch saw him no more. He was next found at Azotus, whence he went forth in his evangelistic work till he came to Caesarea. He is not mentioned again for about twenty years, when he is still found at Caesarea (Acts 21:8) when Paul and his companions were on the way to Jerusalem. He then finally disappears from the page of history.

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.