Caesarea Philippi

Caesarea Philippi was an ancient city in northern Israel near the headwaters of the Jordan River, built around pagan shrines including those dedicated to the god Pan. It served as the northernmost point reached during Jesus' ministry, where he asked his disciples who people said he was and then who they believed him to be. In response, Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, leading Jesus to bless him and declare that he would build his church on this foundational truth while granting authority symbolized by the keys of the kingdom. This episode marks a pivotal revelation in the Gospels, shifting focus toward Jesus' coming suffering, death, and resurrection.

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Details

Region: Canaan
Modern Location: Banias, Golan Heights, Israel

Strongest connections in Scripture

Matthew 16

Journey Paths

Herod Philip's Journey

Jerusalem → Caesarea Philippi

Key Passages

Peter's Confession

Matthew 16:13-20

At this pagan site near temples to Pan, Peter declares Jesus as the Christ - the true God revealed against the backdrop of false worship.

W¹³hen Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

¹⁴ And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. ¹⁵ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? ¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ²⁰ Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.