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Apostle

Philip the Apostle

FIL-ip · d. c. AD 80 (tradition) · Also called Philip

A Galilean apostle from Bethsaida who brought Nathanael to Jesus, and whom John's Gospel repeatedly singles out for pointed conversations with Jesus — including the blunt request, 'Show us the Father.'

Life and work

Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter, and John's Gospel says Jesus found him directly and said, "Follow me." Philip's first act as a disciple was to find Nathanael and tell him, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John 1:43-46).

John features Philip in several individual scenes. Before the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus tests him by asking where they could buy enough bread to feed the crowd, and Philip does the math out loud — calculating that even a large sum wouldn't buy enough for everyone a small bite (John 6:5-7). When a group of Greek pilgrims wants an audience with Jesus, they approach Philip first (John 12:20-22). And at the Last Supper, it is Philip who asks Jesus to "show us the Father," prompting Jesus's answer: "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?" (John 14:8-9).

Beyond these scenes, Philip is listed among the Twelve in the apostolic rosters (Acts 1:13) and receives no further individual mention. He should not be confused with Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6, who is a different person entirely.

Occupation
Apostle
Places
From Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee; traveled with Jesus's ministry group.
Dates
d. c. AD 80 (tradition) Traditional dating

Dating

One of the Twelve (John 1:43-46), traditionally distinguished from Philip the evangelist/deacon of Acts 6 and 21, though ancient sources occasionally blur the two. Early tradition (Papias, Polycrates) places his later ministry and death at Hierapolis in Phrygia.

Extra-biblical evidence

Acts of Philip (apocryphal) and archaeological excavation at Hierapolis Acts of Philip, 4th century text; excavation reported by archaeologist Francesco D'Andria, 2011

Later Christian tradition holds Philip was martyred at Hierapolis in Phrygia (modern Turkey); in 2011 archaeologists excavating Hierapolis identified a Roman-era tomb and adjoining church they believe was venerated by early Christians as Philip's burial site, though his remains were not found there.

Weight: The Acts of Philip is a late, legendary text with no historical reliability. The archaeological find is genuine and shows an early cult site associated with Philip's memory at Hierapolis, but it confirms local veneration, not the historical facts of his life or death.

Scripture references

Further reading

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