Site of Peter's great testimony: "Thou art the Christ..." Place of idol and evil worship, thought of as a gate to the underworld (the gates of hell shall not prevail...). Lots of fresh water. On the road to Damascus. Built by Philippus, son of Herod the Great. Mt Hermon 9230 ft. Snow is the source of springs here.(more photos: Wiki & Bible )
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Bible Photos & Explanation: : Caesarea Philippi is located at the foot of Mount Hermon. This spring is one of the headwaters of the Jordan River. Herod Philip, who ruled this area, built a city here in honor of Caesar (his emperor) and himself; the city was called previously Panias and today is called Banias as well as Caesarea Philippi. Significant Event: The Savior met with His disciples at Caesarea Philippi. Here Peter declared that the Savior was “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The Savior then promised Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:13–20).
Philip BD: Another son of Herod, tetrarch of Trachonitis (Luke 3:1), founder of Caesarea Philippi.
Caesaria Philippi BD: A town near the source of the Jordan, at the foot of Mount Hermon, rebuilt and enlarged by Philip, tetrarch of Trachonitis. The northern most point of our Lord’s journeyings, it was the scene of Peter’s testimony of the Lord’s Messiahship and divine Sonship (Matt. 16:13; Mark 8:27).
Matt 16: 13When Jesus came into the coasts of Cæsarea 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 Bar-jona: 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.