Caesarea-Philippi 

At the time Jesus lived, Caesarea-Philippi was a Roman city. In 3 BCE, Herod the Great’s son, Philip II (also known as Philip the Tetrarch) made it the administrative capital of his domain, Iturea. Much of historical interest occurred there, even before the Roman occupation. It was the scene of many battles owing to its location near Mount Hermon and the spring that feeds the Jordan River. Today it is known by its Arabic name, Banias.

In the seventh century, Caesarea-Philippi was conquered by Muslims, then control passed to the Christians during the Crusades. Later it was part of the Ottoman Empire, and in 1967 it was captured by Israel during the "six-day war." It is now a destination of pilgrimages for Christians having been mentioned in all four of the New Testament gospels. It is known as the place of "Peter’s confession" where he declared that Jesus is the Son of God.

Jesus visited Caesarea-Philippi and Mount Hermon more than once during his adult life. When he was thirty-one, he spent some time at Caesarea-Philippi then ascended Hermon where he stayed six weeks alone communing with God. Four years later, he and his apostles stayed there for two weeks teaching and preaching. His last visit to the city was with his apostles eight months before his death, at which time Peter made his famous confession.

On Tuesday, August 9, 29 CE, Jesus and his apostles left Magadan Park and headed for Mount Hermon. Caesarea-Philippi sat at the base of the mountain and just before entering the city they stopped on the roadside for lunch. The apostles had been discussing their recent experiences about how different people regarded Jesus’ teachings. As they talked and ate, Jesus asked pointedly, "Who do men say I am?"

More than half the apostles participated in answering Jesus’ question. They told him that he was regarded as a prophet or as an extraordinary man by all who knew him; that even his enemies greatly feared him. They said that some in Judea and Samaria who had not met him personally believed he was John the Baptist risen from the dead. Peter explained that he had been, at various times and by some persons, compared with Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. When Jesus had listened to all that was said, he asked, "But who say you that I am?" After a moment, Peter exclaimed: "You are the Deliverer, the Son of the living God." The other eleven apostles indicated that Peter had spoken for all of them.

Jesus then said: "This has been revealed to you by my Father. The hour has come when you should know the truth about me. But for the time being, I charge you that you tell this to no man."

They resumed their journey to Caesarea-Philippi, arriving late that evening and stopping at the home of Celsus, who was expecting them. On Friday morning, August 12, Jesus had the apostles gather provisions and leave Caesarea-Philippi. From there they climbed Mount Hermon where another great event in Jesus’ life took place. There, above this Roman city and unknown to its citizens, Jesus’ "Transfiguration" occurred.