When did Philip the apostle die?

Answer 1

We simply do not know for sure.

Later stories about Saint Philip's life can be found in the anonymous 'Acts of Philip'. This non-canonical book recounts the preaching and miracles of Philip. Included in the Acts of Philip is an appendix, entitled "Of the Journeyings of Philip the Apostle: From the Fifteenth Act Until the End, and Among Them the Martyrdom." This appendix gives an account of Philip's martyrdom in the city of Hierapolis, but doesn't say exactly when. According to this account, through a miraculous healing and his preaching Philip converted the wife of the proconsul of the city. This angered the proconsul, and he had Philip, and two companions Bartholomew, and Mariamne all tortured. Philip and Bartholomew were then crucified upside down, and Philip preached from his cross. As a result of Philip's preaching the crowd released Bartholomew from his cross, but Philip insisted that they not release him, and Philip died, crucifed upside down like Peter the apostle.

Whether or not this book is reliable is a moot point. However, it gives us some idea that Philip was martyred during the Christian persecutions, even if details of this martyrdom are unreliable. If the martyrdom did actually take place around the time of Peter and Paul's demise, then it would be from around 60 - 70 AD.

Answer 2

Apart from James and perhaps Judas, we do not know when or even how any of the apostles died, and no reputable source describing Philip's death has been found. However, in the centuries that followed, Christians sought to portray all the apostles as incredibly brave men who sufferred great hardships and martyrdom for their faith.

One of two main Christian traditions, taken from the Acts of Phillip, is that Phillip was crucified because he converted the wife of the proconsul of the city of Hierapolis. To make the crucifixion seem more special, it seems that he and Bartholomew was crucified upside down. Even in that position, Phillip continued to preach to the crowd that had assembled. Acts of Phillip was written anonymously, probably in the fourth century, and this story only appears in its appendix, suggesting quite late authorship of the passage. Another Christian tradition is that Phillip was martyred by beheading.

Clearly, we do not know how Philip died, not even whether he died from old age or as a martyr..

Answer 3

Another answer from our community:

St. Philip was a martyr but how he was killed is not known.

Answer 4

The Bible is not clear on the fate of Philip the Apostle. It is thought that most of the twelve died as myrters and probably two were crucified as Jesus was.

Answer 5

Philip of Jesus died on 1597-02-05.