Philip the Apostle

Life events

1. Born

   Philip was from Bethsaida, the city on the Sea of Galilee also associated with Andrew and Peter. He bore a Greek name and could likely speak Greek, suggesting a Hellenized environment in that region.

2. Other

   Jesus found Philip directly and called him as a disciple, without mentioning any prior discipleship under John the Baptist (John 1:43). Philip immediately brought Nathanael to Jesus, making him the first apostle recorded as introducing another to Christ.

3. Other

   Philip served as a link between the Greek-speaking community and Jesus. When certain Greek pilgrims in Jerusalem wished to meet Jesus, Philip relayed their request to Andrew and together they brought the matter to Jesus (John 12:21).

4. Other

   At the Last Supper, Philip asked Jesus to show the disciples the Father (John 14:8), prompting Jesus to teach about the unity of the Father and the Son — one of the theologically significant exchanges in the Johannine farewell discourse.

5. Pilgrimage

   According to the non-canonical Acts of Philip, after the resurrection Philip was sent with his sister Mariamne and Bartholomew to preach in Greece, Phrygia, and Syria.

6. Martyred

   The Acts of Philip recounts that Philip was crucified upside-down at Hierapolis after converting the wife of the city's proconsul. Philip preached from the cross and refused to be released; a second tradition holds he was martyred by beheading at Hierapolis rather than crucifixion.

7. Translated

   Polycrates of Ephesus (cited by Eusebius) records that Philip died and was buried at Hierapolis along with two of his daughters, while a third daughter was buried at Ephesus. His relics came to rest in the crypt of the Basilica Santi Apostoli in Rome.

8. Other

   In 2011, Italian archaeologist Francesco D'Andria claimed to have identified Philip's tomb during excavations at ancient Hierapolis near modern Denizli, Turkey. The 1st-century tomb stood at the centre of a 4th- or 5th-century three-naved basilica; ancient Greek prayers venerating Philip are carved into its walls.

Relationships

Documented claims

• Philip is consistently listed fifth among the Twelve Apostles in all three Synoptic Gospels and the Book of Acts. (certain)
• Philip's feast day on 14 November marks the beginning of the Eastern Orthodox Nativity Fast, which is therefore called Philip's Fast (or the Philippian Fast) — the Eastern equivalent of Western Advent. (certain)
• Philip's iconographic symbols include the Latin cross, a cross with two loaves referencing John 6:7, a basket of bread, and a spear with a patriarchal cross. A 6th-century bread stamp found near his tomb at Hierapolis shows him holding bread with a three-naved church beside him. (likely)
• Clement of Alexandria and Polycrates of Ephesus (both cited by Eusebius) attest that Philip was married and had daughters whom he gave in marriage — notable testimony for an apostle's domestic life in the early church. (plausible)
• Two texts in the Nag Hammadi library bear Philip's name: the Gospel of Philip and the Letter from Peter to Philip, the latter dated to the late 2nd or early 3rd century and suggesting an early tradition that Philip had briefly separated from the other apostles for an independent mission. (likely)