On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What’s striking here is how Philip, originally chosen to "serve tables" in Jerusalem, is now specifically identified as "the evangelist." This title highlights a significant evolution in his ministry, showing that the gifting and calling to preach the gospel often transcends initial roles, even those established by the early church.
On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul and his companions are traveling toward Jerusalem, having just visited Philip in the coastal city of Caesarea. They are now departing Caesarea, continuing their journey by land.
Philip started by 'serving tables,' but his ministry grew far beyond that initial task. What does this tell us about God's calling?
Philip is first introduced in Acts 6 as one of the seven chosen to ensure fair distribution of resources to widows. This was a vital role, focused on practical service.
However, by the time Paul's company visits him in Caesarea, his title has shifted. He's now known as 'Philip the evangelist.'
Paul and his companions needed a place to stay. They found it with Philip, a man clearly established in his ministry.
Philip had settled in Caesarea, and his home was open to fellow travelers in the faith, including Paul.
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Understand the original words
euangelistēs · Greek Noun
One who brings 'good news' (the gospel); in the New Testament, it refers to a person commissioned to preach the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, specifically emphasizing the proclamation of the gospel.
hepta · Greek Noun/Numeral
A term referring to a specific group of seven men chosen by the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 6) to oversee the distribution of food to widows, though they were also known for their spiritual gifts and preaching.
prophēteuō · Greek Verb
The exercise of a spiritual gift wherein a person is moved by the Holy Spirit to declare a message from God to his people, which may include exhortation, edification, or predictions regarding the future.
Philip, originally chosen as a deacon to serve tables in Jerusalem, transitioned into a prominent evangelist after persecution scattered the early church. His ministry in Caesarea highlights how God repurposes believers for broader impact, and his welcoming home serves as a key stop for Paul and his companions on their way to Jerusalem, a city where Paul would soon face significant challenges.
c. 33 AD
Stephen's Martyrdom and Church Persecution
Following Stephen's martyrdom, intense persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem. Philip, one of the seven appointed to serve the needy, fled to Samaria and later began evangelizing.
c. 33-35 AD
Philip's Ministry in Samaria and Gaza
Philip powerfully preached the gospel in Samaria, leading many to believe. He then received divine guidance to travel south towards Gaza, where he encountered and baptized the Ethiopian eunuch.
c. 35 AD— this verse
Philip settles in Caesarea
After his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch, Philip appears to have settled in Caesarea, the Roman administrative capital of Judea. He continued his ministry as an evangelist there.
c. 47-49 AD
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul, along with Barnabas, embarked on his first major missionary journey, spreading the gospel to Gentile communities in Asia Minor and Cyprus. This journey marked a significant expansion of early Christianity.
c. 50-52 AD
Paul's Second Missionary Journey
Paul's second journey further solidified the church in Asia Minor and led him into Europe, establishing new Christian communities. He would have passed through or near Caesarea during this time.
c. 52-56 AD
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
During his extensive third journey, Paul spent a significant amount of time in Ephesus before returning towards Jerusalem. His itinerary likely included a stop in Caesarea.
c. 57 AD
Paul's Arrival in Jerusalem and Arrest
Paul arrives in Jerusalem with a collection for the poor saints. Despite warnings and growing opposition, he enters the Temple, leading to his arrest by the Roman authorities.
This passage details Philip's earlier ministry, from Samaria to the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch, establishing his role as a powerful evangelist who traveled widely.
Paul lists the 'evangelists' alongside apostles and prophets as foundational gifts to the church, highlighting Philip's significant ministry beyond the initial role of a deacon.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29This passage speaks to God's choice of the 'weak' and 'lowly' to confound the wise, echoing how Philip, one of the 'seven' originally tasked with practical service, became a prominent evangelist.
2 Timothy 4:5Paul instructs Timothy to 'do the work of an evangelist,' demonstrating that this was a recognized and vital ministry within the early church, just as Philip exemplified.
ellicottActs 21:8: "And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him."
(8) We that were of Paul’s company departed. —Better, simply, we departed. The Greek which answers to the intervening five words is wanting in the best MSS., and seems a needless interpolation, there being no apparent reason for any change in the writer’s previous phraseology, or for his distinguish…
wesleyActs 21:8: "And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him."
21:8 We came to Cesarea - So called from a stately temple which Herod the Great dedicated there to Augustus Cesar. It was the place where the Roman governor of Judea generally resided and kept his court. The evangelist, who was one of the seven deacons - An evangelist is a preacher of the Gospel to…
What’s striking here is how Philip, originally chosen to "serve tables" in Jerusalem, is now specifically identified as "the evangelist." This title highlights a significant evolution in his ministry, showing that the gifting and calling to preach the gospel often transcends initial roles, even those established by the early church.
Paul and his companions are traveling toward Jerusalem, having just visited Philip in the coastal city of Caesarea. They are now departing Caesarea, continuing their journey by land.
Paul and his companions are traveling toward Jerusalem, having just visited Philip in the coastal city of Caesarea. They are now departing Caesarea, continuing their journey by land.
"On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied." — What’s striking here is how Philip, originally chosen to "serve tables" in Jerusalem, is now specifically identified as "the evangelist." This title highlights a significant evolution in his ministry…
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Last reviewed October 2026