1. The Tetrarch, a son of Herod the Great, by his wife Cleopatra. In the division of Herod's kingdom, he was made tetrarch of Batanea, Trachonitis, and Auranitis, Luke 3:1 . See HEROD 1. From him the city of Caesarea Philippi took its name.
2. Herod Philip, another son of Herod the Great by Mariamne the daughter of Simon, not his favorite Mariamne. Josephus calls him Herod. He lived a private life, having been disinherited by his father; and was the former husband of Herodias, Matthew 14:3 . See HERODIAS.
3. The Apostle, a native of Bethsaida, a disciple at first of John the Baptist, and one of the twelve who were earliest called to follow Christ, Matthew 10:3 John 1:43-48 Acts 1:13 . He is several times mentioned in the gospel in Phrygia, and died at Hierapolis in Syria.
4. The Deacon and Evangelist, Acts 6:5 21:8 Ephesians 4:11; a resident of Caesarea, at least during one portion of his life, having four daughters who were endowed with the gift of prophecy, Acts 2:17 21:8-9 . After the death of Stephen when the Christians were driven from Jerusalem, except the apostles, he preached the gospel in Samaria with great success, and wrought many miracles. From the midst of these happy scenes he was called away to labor in a distant spot, with a single soul; but the gospel light was carried by the Ethiopian eunuch into the darkness of Africa, and is supposed to have there enlightened multitudes. In the narrative of Luke, Philip is incidentally distinguished from the apostles, Acts 8:1,14,16 . He preached the gospel in the cities on the coast, from Ashdod to Caesarea, where at a later period Paul and his companions were his guests for "many days," Acts 21:8-16 . His subsequent history is unknown.