Death of Philip the Evangelist in Acts

The New Testament provides no explicit account of the death of Philip the Evangelist. The biblical narrative follows Philip's ministry up to a certain point, but does not record his passing ^[1].

Philip the Evangelist is first introduced in Acts 6 as one of the seven deacons appointed to manage the daily distribution of food and alms within the early Christian community in Jerusalem ^{[1, 12]}. This appointment aimed to resolve a dispute between Hebrew and Hellenistic disciples regarding the care of widows ^[1]. Following the persecution led by Saul, Philip was among those who fled Jerusalem ^[1]. His ministry then shifted to Samaria, where he proclaimed Christ and performed signs, leading many to listen and believe ^{[1, 2, 6]}. He also famously encountered and evangelized the Ethiopian eunuch, explaining scripture to him and baptizing him ^[5]. Later, Philip is found in Caesarea, where he hosted Paul and his companions ^[13].

It is important to distinguish Philip the Evangelist from Philip the Apostle ^{[3, 4]}. Philip the Apostle was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, originally from Bethsaida, the same city as Andrew and Peter ^{[3, 4, 8]}. While the Apostle Philip is said to have preached in Phrygia and met his death in Hierapolis, this information is not found in the biblical text itself but in later traditions ^[4]. The book of Acts, which details the activities of some apostles, primarily focuses on Peter and Paul, with only brief mentions of others like John and James ^[7].

Apocryphal texts, such as the "Acts of Philip," describe various missionary journeys and a martyrdom for an individual named Philip ^{[9, 10, 11]}. However, these accounts are generally understood to refer to Philip the Apostle rather than Philip the Evangelist, and they are not considered canonical scripture ^{[9, 10, 11]}. Therefore, while traditions exist concerning the death of a Philip, the Bible itself remains silent on the death of Philip the Evangelist.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Philip The Evangelist — is first mentioned in the account of the dispute between the Hebrew and Hellenistic disciples in Acts 6. He is one of the deacons appointed to superintend the daily distribution of food and alms, and so to remove all suspicion of partiality. The persecution of which Saul was the leader must have stopped the "daily ministrations" of the Church. The teachers who had been most prominent were compelled to take flight, and Philip was among them. It is noticeable that the city of Samaria, is the first scene of his activity. Acts 8. He is the precurso”
Acts “Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. -- Acts 8:5”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Philip — (lover of horses) the apostle was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, (John 1:44) and apparently was among the Galilean peasants of that district who flocked to hear the preaching of the Baptist. The manner in which St. John speaks of him indicates a previous friendship with the sons of Jona and Zebedee, and a consequent participation in their messianic hopes. The close union of the two in John 6 and 12 suggests that he may have owed to Andrew the first tidings that the hope had been fulfilled. The statement that Jesus found him (John 1:43) implies a ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Philip — Lover of horses. (1.) One of the twelve apostles; a native of Bethsaida, "the city of Andrew and Peter" (John 1:44). He readily responded to the call of Jesus when first addressed to him (43), and forthwith brought Nathanael also to Jesus (45, 46). He seems to have held a prominent place among the apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; John 6:5-7; 12:21, 22; 14:8, 9; Acts 1:13). Of his later life nothing is certainly known. He is said to have preached in Phrygia, and to have met his death at Hierapolis. (2.) One of the "seven" (Acts 6:5), called also "the evangeli”
Acts “Acts 8:35 (LITV) — And opening his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, Philip announced the gospel to him, Jesus.”
Acts “The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. -- Acts 8:6”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Acts of the Apostles — The title now given to the fifth and last of the historical books of the New Testament. The author styles it a "treatise" (1:1). It was early called "The Acts," "The Gospel of the Holy Ghost," and "The Gospel of the Resurrection." It contains properly no account of any of the apostles except Peter and Paul. John is noticed only three times; and all that is recorded of James, the son of Zebedee, is his execution by Herod. It is properly therefore not the history of the "Acts of the Apostles," a title which was given to the book at a later date, ”
STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G5376G — Apostle living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #An apostle living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Mat.10.3; <br>only referred )”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — FROM THE FIFTEENTH ACT UNTIL THE END, AND AMONG THEM THE MARTYRDOM.(1) (part 15): the adversary, Thou excellent Judge.(1) Come now, Jesus, and give me the everlasting crown of victory against every adverse dominion and power, and do not let their dark air hide me when I shall cross the waters of fire and all the abyss. O my Lord Jesus Christ, let not the enemy have ground to accuse me at Thy tribunal: but put on me Thy glorious robe, Thy seal of light that ever shines, until I shall pass by all the powers of the world, an”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — ACTS OF SAINT PHILIP THE APOSTLE WHEN HE WENT TO UPPER HELLAS. (part 4): And he rose up anti went out. And when the high priest saw him, he says to him: 0 Philip, sorcerer and magician, for I know thee, that in Jerusalem thy master the deceiver called thee Son of Thunder.(7) Was 505 not the whole of Judaea sufficient for you, but you have come here also to deceive men who are searchers after wisdom? And Philip said: Would that, O Ananias, thy covering of unbelief were taken away from thy heart, that thou mightst know my w”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — ADDITION TO ACTS OF PHILIP. (part 6): not enjoin us to smite those who do not wish Thee to reign over them? But this we know, that Thy name has not been proclaimed in all the world, and Thou hast sent us to this city. And I did not intend to come into this city, and Thou didst send me, after giving me Thy true commandment, that I should drive away all deceit, and bring to nothing every idol and demon, and all the power of the unclean one. And when I came here, the demons lied from our faces through Thy name, and the drago”
Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 6:5: And the saying pleased the whole multitude,.... The speech the apostles made took with them; all things they proposed were universally approved of; the whole body of the church came into it at once unanimously; they all judged it highly reasonable, that the apostles should be eased of the burden in taking care of the poor, and that it should be transferred to some other persons, and they fixed on the following: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost; he was a man eminent for his faith in Christ, and his faithfulness to him, and in everything”
Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 21:8: We have here Paul and his company arrived at length at Caesarea, where he designed to make some stay, it being the place where the gospel was first preached to the Gentiles, and the Holy Ghost fell upon them, Act 10:1, Act 10:44. Now here we are told, I. Who it was that entertained Paul and his company at Caesarea. He seldom had occasion to go to a public house, but, wherever he came, some friend or other took him in, and bade him welcome. Observe, those that had sailed together parted when the voyage was accomplished, according as their business was. "Those that we”

Ask Your Own Question