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Φίλιππος (Philippos)

Philippos

Philip

G5376 · Greek · New Testament · 37 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
37 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The name Philippos, meaning "lover of horses," appears thirty-seven times in the New Testament, referring to four distinct men who shaped different strands of early Christian history. The most prominent is the apostle, a resident of Bethsaida who was called by Jesus alongside Andrew and Peter (John 1:44). He plays a key role in the Gospel narratives, such as when he assists Andrew in bringing Greeks to Jesus (John 12:21) and asks for clarification on seeing the Father (John 14:8).

Another significant figure is Philip the evangelist, one of the seven chosen to serve tables in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5). Unlike the apostle, this Philip operates primarily in Acts, where he preaches in Samaria and leads the Ethiopian eunuch to faith in Gaza (Acts 8:5-40). His story highlights the rapid expansion of the church beyond Jewish boundaries.

The remaining two Philips are political figures. One is the tetrarch who ruled Trachonitis and built Caesarea Philippi, mentioned when Jesus asks his disciples about public opinion (Matthew 16:13). The other is the husband of Herodias, whose marriage to Herod Antipas provoked John the Baptist’s criticism and eventual imprisonment (Mark 6:17). Each name carries a different historical weight, yet all serve as markers in the biblical narrative.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Philip appears in the New Testament referring to several different men, which can feel confusing at first glance. We meet an apostle who was called directly by Jesus, a missionary who preached in Samaria and guided an Ethiopian official to faith, and even political figures like Herod’s brother. This variety reminds us that God uses people from all walks of life—disciples, servants, and even those on the margins of power—to carry out His work.

For your own faith journey, the apostle Philip offers a gentle model of honesty. When Jesus asked where to buy bread for the hungry crowd, Philip calculated the cost and admitted it was impossible (John 6:7). He did not pretend to have a solution; he simply brought the problem to Jesus. Later, when he asked to see the Father, Jesus responded with grace, pointing him back to His own life and words (John 14:8-9).

This pattern invites you to bring your doubts and limitations to God without fear. You do not need to have all the answers or hide your confusion. Like Philip, you can say, “I don’t see how this works,” and trust that Jesus is willing to meet you there. His presence is enough, even when the path ahead seems unclear.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 37 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Philip21×
  • of Philip4×
  • Philip;4×
  • to Philip2×
  • with Philip,1×
  • to Philip;1×
  • Philippi.1×
  • Philippi1×
  • Philip?1×
  • Philip:1×
  • Philip,1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • Φίλιππος11×
  • Φίλιππον7×
  • Φιλίππου6×
  • Φίλιππος·4×
  • Φιλίππῳ3×
  • φιλίππου1×
  • Φίλιππον·1×
  • Φίλιππον,1×
  • Φίλιππε;1×
  • Φιλίππῳ·1×
  • Φιλίππῳ,1×
  • Φιλίππου.1×

Key Verses

  • John 6:7
    Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may receive a little.”

    Philip’s practical calculation of cost shows his honest assessment of human limitation when faced with a miracle.

  • Acts 8:5
    Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.

    This verse highlights Philip the evangelist’s role in taking the gospel into Samaria, showing the church’s expansion beyond Jerusalem.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many different people named Philip are in the New Testament?

There are four distinct men named Philip. Two were apostles or early church leaders: Philip the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples, and Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven chosen to serve tables. The other two were political figures: Herod Philip, a tetrarch who ruled northern regions, and Herod’s brother Philip, whose marriage to Herodias led to John the Baptist’s imprisonment.

What is the difference between Philip the Apostle and Philip the Evangelist?

Philip the Apostle was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus during His earthly ministry. He appears in all four Gospels and Acts 1. Philip the Evangelist appears only in the book of Acts; he was one of the seven men chosen to help distribute food in Jerusalem and later preached in Samaria and baptized the Ethiopian eunuch.

Why did Philip ask Jesus to show them the Father?

In John 14:8, Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father because he was seeking a deeper understanding of Jesus’ relationship with God. Jesus responded gently, pointing out that anyone who had seen Him had already seen the Father, emphasizing that Jesus Himself is the visible representation of God’s nature and character.

Every Occurrence (37 verses across 5 books)

Matthew 3 verses
Matthew 10:3

Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called…

Matthew 14:3

For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

Matthew 16:13

Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the…

Mark 3 verses
Luke 3 verses
John 11 verses
Acts 17 verses