Philip

The life of Philip

Philip of Bethsaida, one of the twelve apostles, whom Jesus called with the words “Follow me.” He brought Nathanael to Jesus and, at the Last Supper, asked to be shown the Father.

Born

In Bethsaida of Galilee, the town of Andrew and Peter ScriptureJohn 1:44

Died

At Hierapolis in Phrygia, by tradition as a martyr Tradition

1. Jesus finds him and says, “Follow me.”

   ScriptureJohn 1:43

2. He tells Nathanael, “We have found him of whom Moses wrote,” and answers his doubt with “Come and see.”

   ScriptureJohn 1:45–46

3. Before feeding the five thousand, Jesus tests him: “Where are we to buy bread?”

   ScriptureJohn 6:5–7

4. Greeks come to him asking to see Jesus; he brings them with Andrew.

   ScriptureJohn 12:20–22

5. At the Last Supper he says, “Lord, show us the Father”; Jesus answers, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.”

   ScriptureJohn 14:8–9

6. He is among the apostles praying in the upper room.

   ScriptureActs 1:13

7. He is not the same person as Philip the deacon and evangelist of Acts 6 and 8, whose four daughters prophesied.

   ScriptureActs 21:8–9

8. He preached in Phrygia in Asia Minor and was buried at Hierapolis.

   TraditionEusebius, Church History 3.31

Sources: The Holy Bible (World English Bible); Eusebius, Church History.

Drafted from the Bible and Church tradition. Each line says where it comes from; anything marked Tradition or History is not in Scripture itself. Waiting for review by a priest or editor.

Sundays with Philip

1. 17 January 2027

   Second Sunday after Denha

   Gospel: John 1:43–51

   From Bethsaida, called directly by Jesus. He brings Nathanael.

   In the story

   • Follow me John 1:43–44
   • Come and see John 1:45–46
   • No deceit in him John 1:47–48

Also in these readings

• Nathanaelനഥനയേൽ2 Sundays
• Jesusയേശു7 Sundays

About the icon

The Apostle Philip, Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai. 10th century. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.