Who was Philip in the Bible?

One of the twelve apostles: he was a native of Bethsaida. It was in Galilee that the Lord met him, and said to him, "Follow me." Philip at once announced to Nathanael that he had found the One of whom Moses and the prophets had written. He was the apostle who asked the Lord to show them the Father, when the Lord said, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father… Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me." Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:14; John 1:43-48; John 6:5-7; John 12:21-22; John 14:8-9; Acts 1:13.

This apostle was also of Bethsaida, a fact stated twice in John's Gospel (John 1:44; John 12:21). He was one of the early disciples of the Lord, being called by Him, as it says, Jesus "found Philip and said to him, Follow me" (John 1:43)… All these historical items are communicated in the Fourth Gospel only.

Just as Andrew had found his brother, so Philip finds Nathanael, with the eager desire to share with him the preciousness of knowing the Messiah, the One promised by Moses and the prophets. He does not hide the fact that Christ had come from Nazareth, a place commonly despised… Philip was wiser than to argue the point, but is ready with the kind and practical invitation, "Come and see."

But, first of all, He speaks to Philip to prove him, saying, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?" Philip's reply proves that he thought such a thing impossible. "Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for them, that each of them may get a little," he said. He had no thought of the power of his Master.

The Lord's reply to Philip is an expression of pain at his want of understanding… His very presence here was to declare the Father, and that after all the Father should not be understood by disciples of His, wounds Him in the deepest way… If we have indeed come to Christ, we have not to go a further journey to reach the Father, but have got the very depth of the Father's heart told out… Philip was right at least in saying, "It is enough for us"; and nothing short of this can possibly suffice us.

One of the seven chosen to look after the poor believers at Jerusalem. He is also called "Philip the evangelist"… Philip was directed by an angel of the Lord to meet the Ethiopian official in the desert toward Gaza. Philip obeyed and preached to him Jesus… Much later Philip was living at Caesarea and received Paul and those with him into his house. He had four daughters, unmarried, who prophesied. Philip is a beautiful instance of one being under the immediate guidance of God in his service for Him. Acts 6:5; Acts 8:5-40; Acts 21:8.

It is beautiful to note in Philip the readiness of his obedience — how he allowed himself to be led by the will of God. He is the object of all attention in the city of Samaria: a notable work had been done through him. "Rise," said the angel of the Lord, "and go toward Gaza, which is desert"; but he was not told what he was to do there. And he goes there immediately.

Another son of Herod the Great: he was tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis. Luke 3:1. He was the founder of Caesarea Philippi. Matthew 16:13; Mark 8:27.