philip Summary and Overview

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. (3.) Mentioned only in connection with the imprisonment of John the Baptist (Matt. 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19). He was the son of Herod the Great, and the first husband of Herodias, and the father of Salome. (See HEROD PHILIP I. T0001763) (4.) The "tetrarch of Ituraea" (Luke 3:1); a son of Herod the Great, and brother of Herod Antipas. The city of Caesarea-Philippi was named partly after him (Matt. 16:13; Mark 8:27). (See HEROD PHILIP II. T0001764)

(lover of horses) the apostle was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, #Joh 1:44| and apparently was among the Galilean peasants of that district who flocked to hear the preaching of the Baptist. The manner in which St. John speaks of him indicates a previous friendship with the sons of Jona and Zebedee, and a consequent participation in their messianic hopes. The close union of the two in John 6 and 12 suggests that he may have owed to Andrew the first tidings that the hope had been fulfilled. The statement that Jesus found him #Joh 1:43| implies a previous seeking. In the lists of the twelve apostles, in the Synoptic Gospel, his name is as uniformly at the head of the second group of four as the name of Peter is at that of the first, #Mt 10:3; Mr 5:18; Lu 6:14| and the facts recorded by St. John give the reason of this priority. Philip apparently was among the first company of disciples who were with the Lord at the commencement of his ministry at the marriage at Cana, on his first appearance as a prophet in Jerusalem, John 2. The first three Gospels tell us nothing more of him individually. St.John with his characteristic fullness of personal reminiscences, records a few significant utterances. #Joh 6:5-9; 12:20-22; 14:8| No other fact connected with the name of Philip is recorded in the Gospels. He is among the company of disciples at Jerusalem after the ascension #Ac 1:13| and on the day of Pentecost. After this all is uncertain and apocryphal, According tradition he preached in Phrygia, and died at Hierapolis.

PHIL'IP (lover of horses). 1. The apostle, a native of Bethsaida, and known to the Lord before called to follow him. He is always mentioned as the fifth among the twelve, Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; John 1:43-46; Acts 1:13, but the Gospels contain only a few notices of him. According to tradition, he preached in Phrygia and died at Hierapolis. 2. The evangelist, one of the seven persons appointed to the office of deacon in the primitive church in Jerusalem, Acts 6:3-5, and who preached the gospel with great success in Samaria. Acts 8:6-8. While there he received a divine intimation to go southward from Samaria to the road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. In the course of his journey he found a distinguished Ethiopian traveller on his way home from Jerusalem - probably either a Jew or a proselyte to the Jewish religion - who had been to the city to celebrate some feast. He was an officer of high rank in the court of Candace, queen of Ethiopia, and as he was sitting in his chariot in the leisurely pursuit of his journey he read aloud a portion of the Jewish Scriptures. At this time Philip saw him, and was divinely admonished to approach him. Without hesitation he obeyed the suggestion, and ran to overtake the chariot. He overheard the traveller reading Isa 53:7-8, and immediately inquired of him if he understood the force and scope of the passage. The traveller meekly acknowledged his need of instruction, and invited Philip to take a seat with him in the chariot. The latter then explained the great subject of redemption, to which the passage so naturally led; and the result was that the traveller became a convert to the faith of the gospel and was baptized. Philip was next found at Azotus, about 40 miles from Gaza, and afterward settled, it is supposed, in Caesarea. Acts 21:8. He had four daughters, who were endued with gifts of prophecy. Acts 21:9. 1. The tetrarch. Luke 3:1. See Herod. 2. The husband of Herodias. Matt 14:3. See Herod. 3. The foster-brother of Antiochus Epiphanes, who appointed him regent of Syria and guardian of his son, Antiochus V. 1 Mace. 6:14, 15, 55. He is probably identical with that Philip who was made governor of Jerusalem in b.c. 170. 2 Mace. 5:22; 6:11. 4. King of Macedonia, b.c. 359-336, father of Alexander the Great. 1 Mace. 1:1,- 6:1. 5. Another king of Macedonia, b.c. 220-179, defeated by the Romans. 1 Mace. 8:5.