Was Philip transported miraculously after the Ethiopian was baptized?
After Philip baptized the Ethiopian treasurer, “When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and travelled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea” (Acts 8:39-40NIV). Was Philip miraculously transported to Azotus, a town that may have been 30 km away? Luke, the author of Acts, would have heard about this event directly from Philip as he stayed with him in Caesarea (Acts 21:8-9).
What happened to Philip is described by the Greek word harpazo (Strongs #726), which is translated above as “suddenly took”. The other occasion this word is used by Luke is when Paul was in Jerusalem and the Jews accused him of speaking against their religion: “The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks” (Acts 23:10). Here harpazo is translated “take by force”. In both cases someone is suddenly moved away from where they were – it is as though someone has seized them. In the second case it was via means of the troops and in the first case it was via means of the Holy Spirit.
In this brief account we are told that Philip left the Ethiopian suddenly after the baptism at the direction of the Holy Spirit. There is no clear evidence in the text that any other miracle was involved and such a miracle is not necessary to explain what happened. For example, Philip could have been shown that he had to leave the Ethiopian immediately and then travelled by the normal means of transport to Azotus. After all, that’s what happened when Paul was directed by the Holy Spirit to travel to Macedonia instead of to Asia and Bithynia (Acts 16:6-10). In Paul’s case, they “got ready at once to leave for Macedonia”.
Philip’s sudden departure meant that the Ethiopian was unable to thank or reward Philip for his help. Instead of being occupied with the person God used to assist in his conversion, he was occupied with Christ as “he went on his way rejoicing”, which is much more important than Philip’s mode of travel.
Written, June 2012
George's Journal 
Thank God for understanding.
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July 20, 2016 at 11:02 pm
who else disappeared then reappeared in the Bible?
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May 19, 2017 at 3:45 pm
Enoch
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March 14, 2023 at 8:31 am
This explanation is very reasonable. Thank you.
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August 8, 2017 at 6:40 am
Clearly the txt says, ethiopian did not see philip.
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November 16, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Thanks for the comment Ajith.
Yes, the Bible said that the eunuch did not see Philip any longer after Philip left. This is not surprising as the eunuch was traveling south towards Ethiopia, while Philip traveled north to the town of Azotus (Ashdod). So they went is opposite directions.
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November 27, 2017 at 12:04 pm
I do agree it clearly says did not see. Which I take as he came up out of the water and he was no where in “sight”.
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May 9, 2023 at 8:19 am
Thanks, was researching on getting caught away
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February 18, 2018 at 2:08 pm
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Wow what great and mighty power we have as children of The Most High God. Thanks for the revelation.
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September 9, 2018 at 5:44 pm
awesome
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September 9, 2018 at 5:48 pm
What about the means to travel? Must the needy be forgotten 4ever? Wheel not revive us again?
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October 21, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Just totally ignored the original question. Was he miraculously transported by the spirit of the Lord? Yes rejoice that the Eunuch was saved Hallelujah! God is great! But the original question is was Philip taken away by the Spirit? Answer yes he was. It was an immediate departure. For it says “the Eunuch could not see him [Philip] anymore”. It was a sudden and miraculous departure that only the Spirit of the Lord can do! If you read it in the physical sense you won’t see it, but if you read it in the Spirit, it will be clear as day! Shine a little light on it. And all will be clear! God bless u all! Peace be unto you all! I love you all!
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November 19, 2018 at 12:24 am
Thanks for the comment.
The Bible says that, “the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away” (Acts 8:39). But it doesn’t say how he was taken away. Some believe that it was miraculous. But this is an inference, and not a certainty.
Barnes says, “It is not wise to suppose the existence of a miracle except where the effect cannot otherwise be accounted for, and except where there is a plain statement that there was a miracle”.
When Luke describes the miraculous disappearance of Jesus, he doesn’t use the Greek word harpazo (Strongs #726), which is used in Acts 8:39.
So, whether it was miraculous is a debatable matter.
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December 14, 2018 at 7:23 pm
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I believe that Phillip was directed away and Phillip began his journey to Azotus
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May 11, 2019 at 12:28 pm
If it was God will for the Holy Spirit to take Philip away, then it was a miracle. Nothing is impossible for God.
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May 21, 2023 at 6:12 am
It is clear in the context of the text that Philip had gone through a type of supernatural transportation. If you continue reading it says that Philip found himself at Azotus. Please stop spreading misinformation about the scriptures and just let people see the text for what is says.
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November 18, 2019 at 2:05 am
Thanks for the comment.
The Bible says, “the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again”. None of these words mean “a type of supernatural transportation”. Just because he left suddenly doesn’t mean he didn’t use the normal means of transport. Whatever the means of transport, the eunuch wouldn’t see Philip again if they travelled in opposite directions.
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January 7, 2020 at 7:10 pm
This is also the same word that is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 referring to what most call “the rapture”. (Strongs G726)
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February 2, 2023 at 2:40 am
Thanks for the comment DJ.
The verse says, “And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39ESV).
The word describing what happened, harpazo (Strongs #726), occurs in 14 verses of the New Testament. Of the other 13 occasions, 9 were not miraculous and 4 were miraculous (as people were caught up to heaven). After Philip was “carried away”, he appeared some time later at Azotus (Ashdod), a town about 50 km (30 miles) away. He didn’t go to heaven. This is similar to v.26 at the beginning of the account where an angel told Philip to go to the road to Gaza. Are the “angel of the Lord” (v.26) and the “Spirit of the Lord” (v.39) the same character? Philip was called away because his mission to instruct and baptize the Ethiopian was accomplished.
As mentioned above, some believe that Philip’s leaving was miraculous. But this is an inference, and not a certainty. Just because the Holy Spirit is involved, doesn’t mean that it was a miraculous transportation. The Holy Spirit usually uses the normal means to move people around.
And some believe that this is an example of teleportation (instant relocation), but this is a supposition. Scripture does not comment on how or when Philip got to Azotus. The text doesn’t say that he appeared there instantly. But the rapture seems to be like teleportation (1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Th. 4:16-17).
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February 2, 2023 at 6:37 am
I agree with brother George Hawke. What matters here is the Ethiopian was saved.
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April 26, 2020 at 3:38 am
I think it happened exactly how the Bible explained it after all we are talking about the Holy Spirit
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June 29, 2020 at 1:17 pm
It’s a reasonable explanation
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October 3, 2020 at 1:46 pm
Yes i belief this because if ungodly men normally do so how much more believers.
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October 26, 2020 at 5:29 pm
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing (Ac 8:39).
Immediately after coming out of the water, the Spirit caught Philip away. They both would have loved to kiss and say goodbye, or even exchange numbers for visits and follow-ups, but because of urgency the Spirit caught away Philip and took him to another place. Instead of worrying, the eunuch left rejoicing, for he had found Jesus who is sufficient and that he now needs no man to teach. Glorious is the church that walks rejoicing after believing in the Lord than waiting on the man of God to come back and preach, again and again. I so wish that Jesus may miraculously transport ministers so they could not be lords over God’s heritage, building their kingdoms.
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March 25, 2021 at 11:34 am
Thanks for the comment Nkululeko.
As explained above, just because “the Lord suddenly took Philip away” doesn’t necessarily mean that “miraculous transport” was involved. To go away suddenly doesn’t imply that it was a miraculous event.
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March 25, 2021 at 9:24 pm
You are so wrong in my opinion !!
I suspect you do not believe in signs ,wonders, healings and miracles ??
Stop deceiving readers with you unbelief!
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July 3, 2021 at 10:36 pm
Thanks for the comment.
The verse says, “And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39ESV).
The word describing what happened, harpazo (Strongs #726), occurs in 14 verses of the New Testament. Of the other 13 occasions, 9 were not miraculous and 4 were miraculous (as people were caught up to heaven). After Philip was “carried away”, he appeared some time later at Azotus (Ashdod), a town about 50 km (30 miles) away. He didn’t go to heaven. This is similar to v.26 at the beginning of the account where an angel told Philip to go to the road to Gaza. Are the “angel of the Lord” (v.26) and the “Spirit of the Lord” (v.39) the same character? Philip was called away because his mission to instruct and baptize the Ethiopian was accomplished.
As mentioned above, some believe that Philip’s leaving was miraculous. But this is an inference, and not a certainty. Just because the Holy Spirit is involved, doesn’t mean that it was a miraculous transportation. The Holy Spirit usually uses the normal means to move people around.
And some believe that this is an example of teleportation (instant relocation), but this is a supposition. Scripture does not comment on how or when Philip got to Azotus. The text doesn’t say that he appeared there instantly. But the rapture seems to be like teleportation (1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Th. 4:16-17).
By the way, I do believe that the apostles did miracles. Many of their miracles are recorded in the book of Acts: “many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles” (Acts 2:43ESV).
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July 5, 2021 at 8:52 pm
Thank You, this brings another good light to it
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May 9, 2022 at 8:24 pm
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What a simplified and detailed explanation with regards to the sudden take off of Philip!!!
It really broaden my understanding. Big thanks 👍👍👍
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September 18, 2022 at 10:11 am
I’d like to believe Philip was taken away by supernatural means. Jesus performed signs and wonders to prove that He is the messiah. And I believe this is the same here, so the Eunuch would truly believe without doubt and so nothing can steal away the joy of his salvation.
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January 13, 2023 at 2:12 am
Here is why being swept up by the Spirit is important.
When Jesus walked on water and they took him in the boat,” They were immediately at the place to which they were going.” Swept up by the Spirit.
Philosophy 101: Man is limited by time and space. God is not.
Okay I can’t give you and example of time travel but I feel these are examples of space travel. There are others recorded in the lives of Holy people.
He is Lord even of the Sabbath. Even of what we scientific moderns are uncomfortable with.
Hey thanks for loving scripture and pondering the meaning of the Word in your hearts. If you didn’t have the Spirit you wouldn’t care.
Praise the good God!
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May 7, 2023 at 3:40 am