Phillip the Apostle

Philip, one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, from Bethsaida in Galilee.

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 (Jhn 1:44).

Philip is first mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in the lists of the twelve apostles (Mat 10:3; Mrk 3:18; Luk 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 (Jhn 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 (Jhn 6:5-7). Philip was also approached by some Greeks who wanted to see Jesus, and he, along with Andrew, brought their request to Jesus (Jhn 12:21-22).

In Jhn 14:8-9, 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 (Act 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.

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.