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In Jesus' time, Caesarea-Philippi was pivotal, and where Peter first recognized Jesus as the Son of God, marking a shift in his ministry. Located near Mount Hermon, the site is celebrated for this revelation and the Transfiguration event.
During the times of Jesus, Caesarea-Philippi was the capital city of Philip’s domain. Philip was one of four Roman governors of the region. The city was situated about 25 miles (40 km) inland from the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and 30 miles (48 km) north of the Sea of Galilee. The actual site of the city is at the base of Mount Hermon. Caesarea-Philippi was nestled in a valley of wondrous beauty where water that fed the Jordan River poured forth from an underground cave.
Jesus visited Caesarea-Philippi on more than one occasion during his public ministry (26-30 CE). The city is best known as the place where Peter declared that Jesus was the Son of God, the so-called “Peter's Confession.” On his last visit, in August of 29 CE, Jesus and his apostles stopped on the roadside near Caesarea-Philippi for a noonday meal. As they lunched and talked, Jesus asked the question, “Who do you say that I am?” After much discussion, Peter finally answered, “You are the Deliverer, the living Son of God.” This acknowledgment marked the beginning of a new phase of the Master’s ministry. Before this time, he called himself the Son of Man. From this point on, he used both terms, Son of Man and Son of God. The first humans had discovered and verbalized Jesus’ divinity.
Following the confession, Jesus and the apostles stayed over in the city before going to nearby Mount Hermon where another pivotal event, the Transfiguration, occurred. Because Peter’s confession happened on the outskirts of Caesarea-Philippi, and its location at the base of Mount Hermon, it has subsequently been a place of interest and pilgrimage.
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.
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