Philip the Evangelist
Philip in the Bible
Philip the Evangelist is one of the seven men selected in Acts 6. He later proclaims Christ in Samaria, explains Isaiah to an Ethiopian official, and is encountered years later in Caesarea.
Philip at a Glance
Key Bible Passages About Philip
Acts 6:1–6
Philip is selected among the seven.
Acts 8:4–25
Philip proclaims Christ in Samaria.
Acts 8:26–40
Philip explains Isaiah to the Ethiopian official and baptizes him.
Acts 21:8–9
Paul’s party stays with Philip the evangelist in Caesarea.
The Story of Philip
Philip is named among the seven selected in Acts 6 to address the community’s distribution problem. After persecution scatters believers from Jerusalem, Philip goes to Samaria and proclaims Christ there, accompanied by healings and other signs.
An angel directs Philip toward the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, where he meets an Ethiopian court official reading Isaiah. Philip explains the passage in relation to Jesus, and the official is baptized.
Acts later finds Philip in Caesarea and explicitly calls him ‘the evangelist, one of the seven.’ He has four unmarried daughters who prophesy. This Philip should be distinguished from Philip the Apostle, one of the Twelve.
Where Does Philip Appear in the Bible?
Historical & Cultural Context
Philip ministers in Judea, Samaria, along the Gaza road, coastal towns, and Caesarea. Acts situates his work during the expansion that follows persecution in Jerusalem.
Literary Role
Canonical identity matters because the New Testament also contains Philip the Apostle. Acts 21 explicitly identifies this Philip as the evangelist and one of the seven.
Character & Significance
Philip is central to Acts’ movement beyond Jerusalem. His ministry in Samaria and encounter with the Ethiopian official embody the book’s widening geographic and social reach.
Important People in Philip’s Life
The Life and Story of Philip
Selected Among the Seven
Philip is appointed for community service.
Mission in Samaria
Philip proclaims Christ and performs signs.
Ethiopian Official
Philip explains Isaiah and baptizes the traveler.
Caesarea
Philip hosts Paul and is identified as an evangelist.
Research Questions About Philip
Is Philip the Evangelist the same as Philip the Apostle?
Acts 21 calls this Philip 'the evangelist, one of the seven,' distinguishing him from the apostle named among the Twelve.
Why is Philip’s Samaria ministry important in Acts?
Read it within Acts 1:8 and the book’s geographic movement from Jerusalem outward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philip
Who was Philip the Evangelist?
Philip was one of the seven selected in Acts 6 and an evangelist who ministered in Samaria and to an Ethiopian official.
Was Philip the Evangelist one of the Twelve?
The text distinguishes him from Philip the Apostle by calling him one of the seven.
Did Philip have children?
Acts 21:9 says Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
Other People Named Philip in the Bible
The Bible refers to more than one person named Philip. These profiles distinguish them by their relationships and role in the biblical story.
Citing This BibleVerses.com Research Guide
Citation styles vary by instructor and institution. These are convenient starting points; students should follow their assigned style guide.
“Philip the Evangelist: Life, Story, Bible Verses & Significance.” BibleVerses.com, https://www.bibleverses.com/people/philip-evangelist/. Accessed September 30, 2026.
BibleVerses.com. “Philip the Evangelist: Life, Story, Bible Verses & Significance.” Accessed September 30, 2026. https://www.bibleverses.com/people/philip-evangelist/.
When citing Scripture itself, cite the Bible translation and passage separately according to your required style.
