Who were the persons named Philip in the Bible?

The name Philip is shared by several individuals in the Bible, each with different roles and significance in the biblical narrative. These four main persons named Philip include:

1. Philip, Son of Herod the Great
2. Philip, Herod Philip
3. Philip the Apostle
4. Philip the Evangelist

Each of these figures contributed in distinct ways to the story of the Bible, and their lives provide valuable insights into the historical, political, and spiritual landscape of the time. Let us explore who these individuals were, their roles, and how their lives intersected with the major events of the Bible. We will consider each Philip in detail, beginning with those who were part of the Herodian family and progressing to the disciples of Jesus.

Philip, Son of Herod the Great

Herod the Great was a well-known king of Judea, who reigned from 37 BC to 4 BC. His reign is most noted for its political maneuvering, his lavish building projects (including the expansion of the Second Temple), and his role in the Massacre of the Innocents as described in Matthew 2:16-18. He was a ruler with vast political ambition and was recognized by both the Romans and the Jews (though not universally liked).

Philip, the son of Herod the Great, should not be confused with the Apostle Philip or Philip the Evangelist. He was one of the many sons of Herod the Great by different wives. Philip the Tetrarch, as he was known, ruled over the northeastern part of the Herodian kingdom, which included regions such as Iturea and Trachonitis, as indicated in the Gospel accounts and historical texts like those of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus.

Biblical References:

Philip the Tetrarch is mentioned in the Gospels, particularly in connection with the ministry of John the Baptist. For example, in Luke 3:1, we find that Philip is mentioned as one of the tetrarchs (a ruler of a fourth part of a region) when John the Baptist began preaching in the wilderness. His rule is also mentioned in Luke 3:19, where it is noted that John rebuked Philip for marrying his brother’s wife, Herodias, which would later be a significant part of John’s martyrdom.

In addition to the biblical references, Josephus offers much more detail about Philip’s reign. He was known to be a relatively peaceful and competent ruler compared to his more infamous brothers, including Herod Antipas, who was responsible for the death of John the Baptist. Philip married his niece, Salome, who had been involved in the events leading to John’s death. He ruled until his death around AD 34. After his death, his territory was incorporated into the Roman province of Syria.

Significance:

Philip’s reign is notable for the fact that, unlike his brothers, he did not seek to make major confrontations with the Roman authorities or engage in unnecessary political intrigue. His rule was one of stability, and he was able to maintain relative peace in his region. His relationship with the Jewish people was not marked by the tyranny of his father or the scandal of his brothers. His death and the subsequent annexation of his territory by Rome marked the end of the Herodian dynasty’s influence in the region.

Herod Philip (Herod Philip II)

There is often some confusion regarding the relationship between Herod Philip and Philip the Tetrarch mentioned above. Herod Philip is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Philip II, but he is a distinct individual.

Herod Philip was the son of Herod the Great and one of his wives, Cleopatra of Jerusalem, who was not the famous Cleopatra of Egypt. He is not directly mentioned in the Gospels, but his role in the narrative is still relevant. Herod Philip was married to Herodias, who was previously married to his brother, Herod Antipas. This marriage, as noted earlier, played a key role in the events leading to John the Baptist’s imprisonment and execution. John the Baptist’s condemnation of this marriage was one of the pivotal reasons for his eventual martyrdom.

Biblical References:

Though the name “Herod Philip” does not appear in the Bible, the events surrounding his marriage to Herodias are mentioned in the Gospels. In Mark 6:17-18, Herodias is described as being married to Herod Philip, but it was her unlawful marriage to him that led to John the Baptist’s rebuke. Later, Herodias would leave Herod Philip and marry his brother Herod Antipas, whose role in the death of John the Baptist is mentioned prominently in the Gospels.

Significance:

Herod Philip’s significance in the biblical narrative is largely indirect. His marriage to Herodias, however, caused significant tension between the political elite and the religious authorities, which played a key role in the persecution of John the Baptist. His role in the background of these events provides a glimpse into the complex family dynamics within the Herodian dynasty and the political tensions of the time.

Philip the Apostle

Philip the Apostle was one of the original twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ to follow Him and participate in His earthly ministry. His life and actions are most often associated with his interactions with Jesus during His ministry, as well as his evangelistic efforts in the early church after Christ’s ascension.

Biblical References:

Philip the Apostle is mentioned several times in the Gospels, and his story offers several key insights into his character and role among the disciples.

• John 1:43-46 tells of Jesus calling Philip to follow Him, saying, “Follow Me.” Philip immediately found Nathanael and told him that they had found the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, even though Nathanael initially doubted Jesus’ origins.
• John 6:5-7 reveals Philip’s involvement in the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. When Jesus asked how they could feed such a large crowd, Philip replied that it would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread.
• John 12:20-22 records Philip’s interaction with some Greeks who wished to see Jesus. Philip went to Andrew, and together they approached Jesus with the request.
• Acts 1:13 mentions that Philip was among the apostles gathered together after Jesus’ ascension, preparing for the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Significance:

Philip the Apostle’s role in the Gospel narratives highlights his active participation in Jesus’ ministry and his proximity to some of the key moments in Jesus’ life. His faith and doubt were often evident, and he was sometimes puzzled by the things Jesus said. Yet, he remained loyal, and his interaction with the Greeks in John 12 is significant because it marked the widening of Jesus’ ministry beyond the Jewish people.

In the early church, Philip likely had a role in spreading the gospel, though little more is recorded about his ministry beyond what is seen in the Gospels. Tradition holds that Philip preached in regions such as Phrygia and was eventually martyred for his faith.

Philip the Evangelist

Philip the Evangelist, also known as Philip the Deacon, was another significant Philip in the New Testament. He is distinguished from Philip the Apostle by his role as one of the seven deacons appointed in Acts 6:1-6 to serve the early church, particularly in distributing food to widows and managing the practical needs of the Christian community.

Biblical References:

Philip the Evangelist is featured prominently in the Book of Acts:

• Acts 6:1-6 introduces Philip as one of the seven deacons chosen to assist the apostles. He was appointed because of his good reputation, wisdom, and full of the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 8:4-40 tells the story of Philip’s ministry in Samaria and his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip preached the gospel in Samaria, where many people believed and were baptized (Acts 8:12). Later, the Spirit led him to the desert road where he met the Ethiopian eunuch. After explaining the Scriptures to him, Philip baptized the eunuch, and then the Spirit took Philip away to Azotus, where he continued to preach.
• Acts 21:8-9 records that Philip had four daughters who prophesied. This highlights his continued role as a man of faith and leadership in the early church.

Significance:

Philip the Evangelist is perhaps most famous for his ministry to the Ethiopian eunuch, a key event in the expansion of the early church beyond Jerusalem. His willingness to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and his success in evangelizing even in regions like Samaria played an important role in the spread of Christianity. His ministry is significant in understanding the early church’s outreach to non-Jews and how the gospel reached the ends of the earth.

Conclusion

The name Philip appears several times in the New Testament, representing four distinct individuals with important roles in the biblical narrative. From political rulers in the Herodian family to foundational leaders in the early church, each Philip left a mark on the history of the Bible and the development of the early Christian movement.

• Philip, son of Herod the Great, was a regional ruler whose actions indirectly affected the course of biblical history.
• Herod Philip, while playing a less direct role, was involved in the scandalous marriage that led to John the Baptist’s martyrdom.
• Philip the Apostle was one of the twelve disciples, known for his interactions with Jesus and his role in spreading the gospel.
• Philip the Evangelist played a key role in evangelizing regions outside of Israel, including his famous interaction with the Ethiopian eunuch.

The lives of these four individuals named Philip underscore the broad range of experiences and contributions that can come from individuals sharing the same name. From the political realm to the spiritual realm, the Phillips of the Bible were all part of God’s unfolding plan for the salvation of humanity.