Meaning of PHILIP

"horse lover."
(a) One of the 12 apostles: he was a native of Bethsaida, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Becoming a disciple of Jesus, Philip took him to Nathanael, who recognized Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:28, 43-49).

A year later, the Lord chose Philip as an apostle. When he was going to perform the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, he put Philip to the test, asking him: "Where shall we buy bread so that these may eat?" (John 6:5, 6).

On the day of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, some Greeks wanted to see Jesus, and they went to Philip (John 12:20-23). Not understanding that it was through the presence of Christ that the disciples had a relationship with the Father, he said: "Lord, show us the Father and it is enough for us" (John 14: 8-12).

After the resurrection he is among the apostles gathered in the upper room (Acts 1:13). This is the last mention we have of him. The later testimonies of the tradition are uncertain.

(b) The evangelist. One of seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, chosen to administer relief to the Greek-speaking Jewish widows and poor of the Jerusalem church.

The name of Philip is found after that of Stephen (Acts 6:3-6), the death of which was the starting signal of the persecutions that scattered the Christians. Philip evangelized Samaria, performing miracles, converting many (Acts 8:4-8; 21:8), and confounding Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-25).

An angel ordered Philip to follow the path that led from Jerusalem to Gaza. Obeying, he found the Ethiopian eunuch, telling him about Christ and baptizing him (Acts 8:26-39).

Philip then evangelized Azotus (Ashdod) and the cities of the region, as far as Caesarea (Acts 8:40), where he was living when Paul passed through to go to Jerusalem for the last time. The evangelist had four virgin daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8, 9).

(c) Son of Herod the Great and Mariamne, he married Herodias, who abandoned him to go live with her brother, Herod Antipas (Mt. 14: 3; Mark 6:17; Luke 3: 19).

(d) Another son of Herod the Great and Cleopatra of Jerusalem, he was tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonite (Lk. 3:1), and founder of Caesarea Philippi (Mt. 16:13; Mr. 8:27).