Day 2: Caesarea Philippi

Caesarea Philippi was an ancient Roman city built by  Philip the Tetrarch or Herod Philip II, son of Herod the Great. He, like his father wanted to build a city that would impress the Romans. Herod the Great built Caesarea on the coast, Philip built his version up in the beautiful Golan Heights, which today is the border of Israel and Lebanon and Syria. It is a contested piece of land even today.

This particular place was a very pagan city, with temples built to the god Ban also known as Pan, a Greek god, half human half goat.  It was here that Jesus had his disciples travel and it was here that Jesus asked them the question, “who do people say I am?” He then asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Matthew 16:13-18

The temple was built over a cafe known as the “gates of hell” Jesus took his disciples here purposefully to let them know Satan can not overcome the Kingdom of God!

It’s beau place, with fresh water springs flowing from underground.










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