Journey to Jerusalem - Stop #8 - Caesarea Philippi

 Stop #8 – Caesarea Philippi

Historical Notes:

Jesus went to the territory near the town of Caesarea Philippi, where he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  “Some say John the Baptist,” they answered.  “Others say Elijah, while others say Jeremiah or some other prophet.”

“What about you?” he asked them.  “Who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16)

Caesarea Philippi has been recorded in our gospels, and thus remembered, solely because it was the setting for Peter’s confession of faith.  It was one of the “villages near Caesarea Philippi” (Mark 8:27), located at the foot of Mount Hermon, that was the setting for Jesus’ transfiguration following Peter’s confession.

Over the centuries, these villages and towns have had numerous names.  Today the name of Caesarea Philippi is Banias, reflecting the ancient Canaanite name Paneas.  The tourist sites are Greek and Roman ruins, rather than anything specifically related to Jesus.

But since this is near the site where Peter’s acknowledgement of Jesus’ identity to him, and since this is the site below the mountain where Jesus was transfigured, it serves as a wonderful site to think about whom Jesus is to you.  What are the images that you carry in your mind of God, of Christ, of the Holy Spirit?

Read the full account in Matthew 16:13-23

Visit this inciteful tour of the ancient ruins near Caesarea Philippi by Dr. Todd Fink.

https://youtu.be/YYnUR_OxWKc