Philip of Bethsaida
- James Collazo
- May 31, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 29
Introduction
Philip of Bethsaida (Greek: Philippos tis Bēthsaidas) was born circa AD 10 (3770–3771 in the Hebrew calendar) in the Roman district of Gaulanitis. He was a fisherman from the city of Bethsaida and worked with Andrew and Peter (John 1:44, 12:21). Philip of Bethsaida should not be confused with the evangelist Philip of Jerusalem, whom the apostles appointed a deacon with Stephen to manage the church's distribution to widows (Acts 6:5).
Philip's role as one of the original twelve apostles highlights the diversity among Jesus' closest followers. Hailing from a humble background as a fisherman in Bethsaida, Philip's journey with Jesus exemplifies the inclusive nature of Christ's ministry, which reaches out to people from diverse walks of life. His encounters with Jesus, recorded in the gospels, offer valuable insights into faith, discipleship, and the transformative power of encountering the living Christ. Despite the limited information available about his specific actions and teachings, Philip's presence among the apostles underscores the significance of each individual's contribution to spreading the Christian message. Through his obedience and dedication, Philip exemplifies the call for all believers to share the good news of salvation and to lead others into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
Philip the Apostle
The synoptic gospel writers listed 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 his calling as a disciple:
The next day 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 was an efficient man. When they ran out of food for the crowd of five thousand, Philip was the apostle whom Jesus chose to test. Jesus knew that he would supernaturally multiply the fish and the loaves of bread, just as the prophet Elisha had done (John 6:5–6; cf. 2 Kgs. 4:42–44). Philip 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). However, Jesus continued to feed the multitude with five loaves and two small fish.
Bringing People to Jesus
Like Andrew, Philip receives little coverage in the Bible. Yet, when he appears, Philip asks practical questions and leads people to know God through Jesus. He served as a liaison between the Jewish community and the Greek community. Although he was Galilean, Philip had a Greek name (Philippos; G5376, "lover of horses"), spoke in the koinē Greek dialect, and had a rapport with the Hellenistic Jewish pilgrims in Jerusalem. He informed Andrew that certain Greeks wished to meet Jesus, and they went together to tell him about it (John 12:21). Jesus knew that Greeks usually took issue with resurrection (Acts 17:31–32; 1 Cor. 1:23), so he challenged these men on the topic: "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. . . . Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me" (John 12:23, 25–26). Jesus was teaching them about salvation, which is made perfect through his resurrection and glorification.
During the Last Supper, Philip inquired of Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us" (John 14:8). Jesus responded, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father?' Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work" (John 14:9–10). Philip's question allowed Jesus to teach us about the unity of the Father and the Son (see "Trinity: Jewish & Gentile Views"). Although the New Testament writers did not mention Philip much, his brief appearances involved some essential theological concepts.
Conclusion
Philip's role as one of Jesus' twelve apostles demonstrates that everyone, regardless of background, has a significant role in God's mission. Although details of his life are limited, his example highlights the importance of humble faithfulness and the value of sharing God's message. Philip's story encourages us to seek our role in serving God's purpose and faithfully contributing to the spread of the gospel, to bring people to Jesus.
Prayer
Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the universe; you gave your apostle Philip the grace and strength to witness Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that we, mindful of his victory of faith, may glorify in life and death the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Bibliography
Book of Common Prayer. Huntington Beach, CA: Anglican Liturgy Press, 2019.
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.
