Philip of Bethsaida
- James Collazo
- May 31, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 14
Introduction
Philip of Bethsaida (Hebrew: Philippos mi-Beit Tzayda / Greek: Philippos apo Bēthsaida) was born around AD 10 in the Roman district of Gaulanitis. He came from the fishing village of Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter. Philip was one of the first disciples to follow Jesus (John 1:44, 12:21). He should not be confused with Philip of Jerusalem, whom the apostles chose as one of seven deacons to distribute food to widows (Acts 6:5).
Philip's place among the twelve apostles shows the variety of backgrounds within Jesus' closest followers. As a native of Bethsaida, he brought a straightforward and sincere approach to discipleship. His encounters with Jesus in the gospels reveal a man who asked honest questions, responded quickly when called, and helped introduce others—like Nathanael—to Jesus. Although the New Testament gives only brief details about his actions, his steady presence among the apostles shows how each person played an important role in spreading the Christian message. Through his obedience and willingness to serve, Philip demonstrates the call to share the good news and guide others toward faith.
Philip the Apostle
The synoptic gospel writers Matthew, Mark, and Luke included Philip among Jesus' twelve apostles without giving any further details about him (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14). John, however, provided a little more about Philip's calling as a disciple:
Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me." Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John 1:43–45).
Philip tended to look at situations realistically. When a crowd of five thousand had no food, Jesus asked him how they could feed everyone (John 6:5–6). Jesus already intended to multiply the loaves and fish, much like the prophet Elisha had done centuries earlier (2 Kings 4:42–44). Philip did the math and answered, "It would take more than half a year's wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" (John 6:7). Jesus used five loaves and two small fish to feed the entire crowd, revealing a power far beyond Philip's expectations.
Bringing People to Jesus
Like Andrew, Philip appears only a few times in the Bible, but each time he raises practical questions and helps people draw closer to God through Jesus. He often acted as a link between Jewish and Greek communities. Although he grew up in Galilee, he had a Greek name (Philippos, G5376, "lover of horses"), spoke Greek, and communicated well with Hellenistic Jewish pilgrims. When certain Greeks wanted to meet Jesus, Philip told Andrew, and together they brought the request to Jesus (John 12:21). Jesus understood that many Greeks struggled with the idea of resurrection (cf. Acts 17:31–32; 1 Cor. 1:23), so he addressed the issue directly: "Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:25). Through this teaching, he explained that salvation comes through his death and resurrection.
During the Last Supper, Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us" (John 14:8). Jesus replied, "Do not you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?... Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9–10). Philip's question allowed Jesus to teach about the unity of the Father and the Son (see "Trinity: Jewish & Gentile Views"). Although the New Testament mentions Philip only briefly, his interactions with Jesus highlight crucial theological truths.
Conclusion
Philip's place among the twelve apostles shows how God uses people with different backgrounds and personalities to carry out his mission. Philip asked honest, practical questions, linked Jewish and Greek seekers to Jesus, and opened the door for essential teachings about resurrection and the unity of the Father and the Son. Even though the New Testament gives only brief glimpses of his life, those moments reveal a disciple who listened carefully, responded faithfully, and helped others meet Jesus. His example encourages us to serve with the same steady devotion and to take seriously our part in sharing the gospel so that more people may come to know Christ.
Prayer
Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of heaven and earth! You gave your apostle Philip the grace and courage to declare that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Help us follow his witness, honor you in all we do, and trust you in death. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bibliography
Laurie, Greg. "The Apostle Philip: Bible Story and Significance." Christianity.com. April 15, 2024. [link].
Nelson, Ryan. "Who Was Philip the Apostle? The Beginner's Guide." OverviewBible. June 10, 2019. [link].
