caesarea philippi Summary and Overview

is mentioned only in the first two Gospels, #Mt 16:13; Mr 8:27| and in accounts of the same transactions. It was at the easternmost and most important of the two recognized sources of the Jordan, the other being at Tel-el-Kadi. The spring rises from and the city was built on a limestone terrace in a valley at the base of Mount Hermon 20 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. It was enlarged by Herod Philip, and named after Caesar, with his own name added to distinguish it from Caesarea. Its present name is Banias, a village of some 50 houses, with many interesting ruins. Caesarea Philippi has no Old Testament history, though it has been not unreasonably identified with Baal-gad. It was visited by Christ shortly before his transfiguration, #Mt 16:13-28| and was the northern limit of his journeys. #Mr 8:27|

CAESARE'A-PHILIPPI , the Greek Paneas, now called Banias by the Arabs, is a town at the base of Mount Hermon, about 20 miles north of the Sea of Galilee and 45 miles south-west of Damascus. It was the northern limit of our Lord's journeys. Matt 16:13; Mark 8:27, and was probably Baal-gad of Old Testament history. It was here that Peter, in the name of all the other apostles, made that fundamental confession of faith in Christ as the Son of God and the Saviour, and that Christ uttered the prophecy concerning the indestructible character of his Church. Matt 16:16 ff. The gushing waters of the sources of the Jordan and the immovable rocks of Mount Hermon were in full view when our Lord spoke those words, and served to illustrate their meaning. The landscape is one of the most beautiful in Palestine, and has been called the Syrian Tivoli. History. -- The town is remarkable for its physical and historical associations. It was near two important sources of the Jordan; its ancient classical name was Paneion, in commemoration of the sanctuary of the god Pan; it was enlarged by Philip the Tetrarch, and named Caesarea-Philippi to distinguish it from the other Caesarea, on the Mediterranean; later on it was called Neronias by Herod Agrippa II.; it became the seat of a bishopric; it was repeatedly Caesarea. (From a Photograph. Palestine Exploration Fund.) Csesarea-Philippi, or Banias. (After Photographs of Frith and Good.) Sources of the Jordan near Banias. (After Photographs of Frith and Good.) CAE CAL taken during the Crusades, It is now called Banias, and has about 50 houses, many ruins of columns, towers, temples, a bridge, and of a remarkable castle. The place is now noted for one of the chief sources of the Jordan, which rushes in clear crystal springs from beneath the rocks of Mount Hermon, and flows rapidly towards Dan, uniting with another source below that town.