Philip the apostle
Israelite / Jew Jewish, of Bethsaida · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- Philip
- Name means
- 'lover of horses'
- Role
- Apostle
- When
- c. AD 28-30s
What they did
Called by Jesus to follow him, he found Nathanael and told him of Jesus; Jesus tested him before feeding the five thousand, and when he asked to see the Father, Jesus replied that he who has seen him has seen the Father.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Through his questions Jesus revealed that he and the Father are one; Philip also helped bring enquiring Greeks to Jesus (John 12:20-22).
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? John 14:9 (KJV)
Bible references
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Matthew 10:3 (KJV)
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. John 1:43-45 (KJV)
When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. John 6:5-7 (KJV)
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? John 14:8-9 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.