Philip the Tetrarch

Philip the Tetrarch ruled territories northeast of the Sea of Galilee from 4 BC to AD 34. He is named in Luke 3:1 and is associated with Caesarea Philippi, a place mentioned in the Gospels. He must be distinguished from Herodias’s first husband.

Philip was a son of Herod the Great and Cleopatra of Jerusalem. After his father’s death, Augustus assigned him territories northeast of Galilee, including Batanaea, Trachonitis, Auranitis, and neighboring districts.

Philip governed for nearly four decades and is generally portrayed by Josephus as a comparatively steady ruler. His region was culturally mixed and lay near important routes connecting Judea and Syria.

He developed the settlement of Paneas, renaming it Caesarea Philippi in honor of Augustus and himself. He also improved Bethsaida, which he named Julias. Caesarea Philippi later appears in Gospel accounts of Jesus asking his disciples who they believed him to be.

Luke 3:1 identifies Philip as tetrarch during the opening of John the Baptist’s ministry. His role in the Gospels is largely chronological and geographical rather than dramatic.

Philip married Salome, the daughter of Herodias. He should not be confused with Herod II, sometimes called Herod Philip, who was Herodias’s earlier husband. Ancient and later naming traditions have sometimes blurred these two individuals.

Philip died in AD 34 without a known surviving heir. His territory subsequently passed through changes in Roman and Herodian administration.

Philip’s long administration shaped the northeastern districts neighboring Galilee. His development of Caesarea Philippi and Bethsaida connects his rule to important New Testament locations.

• 4 BC: Became tetrarch of northeastern territories.
• Early first century AD: Developed Caesarea Philippi and Bethsaida-Julias.
• c. AD 28–29: Named in Luke’s chronological introduction to John the Baptist.
• AD 34: Died; his territory was reorganized.

Philip died in AD 34. Josephus reports that he was buried with ceremony; the precise location and identification of his tomb remain uncertain.

Luke 3:1 names Philip among the regional rulers at the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry. Caesarea Philippi, named for Philip, is the setting of Peter’s confession in Matthew 16 and Mark 8.