Caesarea Philippi
At the southern base of Mount Hermon in Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, about 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Tel Dan, is an ancient Greco-Roman city along “the way of the sea” (Isa. 9:1) that connected the Mediterranean coastal ports of Tyre and Sidon with Damascus of Syria. Around the turn of the second century BC, the Syrian Seleucids won a decisive battle here against the Egyptian Ptolemies (Polybius, Hist. 16.18-20) and built a temple dedicated to Pan, the Greek god of goats and flocks, shepherds, pastoral music, rural areas, and fertility.1 The city was thus called Paneas (today Banias). When the Romans gained control, the area was included in the jurisdiction of their client king Herod the Great (Matt. 2:1), whose son Philip II renamed the city Caesarea Philippi after himself and the Roman emperor.
 |
| Cave and Grotto of Pan |
At the north of the city a natural spring reportedly flowed from a large cave (the Cave of Pan) in the steep limestone cliff face, feeding the Banias River, one of the main tributaries of the Jordan River. The cave was believed to be the entranceway to the underworld, or the gateway of Hades, in the front of which Herod the Great built a temple in 19 BC dedicated to Augustus Caesar. Other shrines, idol niches, and a temple of Zeus were also along the cliff face.
Having established his ministry in Galilee and Judea, Jesus led the twelve disciples to the northern extremities of Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16:13), far removed from their monotheistic Jewish environment, deep in pagan territory. Here his identity as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” was confirmed, with Simon Peter commended for having made the confession upon which Jesus promised to build his church, assuring that “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (vv. 16-18, NKJV).
Perhaps this was a veiled allusion to the Lord’s approaching death and resurrection (v. 21), i.e., the gates of the hadean realm could not and would not contain him (cf. Acts 2:31) or keep him from establishing his community of the saved. An added possibility is drawn from the immediate environment in which these words were spoken. Seeing that “gates” are not meant for attacking but for defense, the implication here could be the bold advancement and victory of Christ’s church despite ungodly resistance and opposition (cf. Matt. 16:22-23; 1 Cor. 15:55).
On the southwest coast of the Sea of Galilee, the city of Tiberias was founded sometime between AD 18 and 26 in honor of the Roman emperor Tiberius (Luke 3:1). It was built and controlled by Herod Antipas (Mark 6:14-28) until he was exiled in 39, then governed by his nephew Agrippa I until his death in 44 (Acts 12:21-23). It was the capital of Galilee until 61, then detached from Galilee when Nero bequeathed it to Agrippa II (Acts 25:13), whose capital was Caesarea Philippi. Despite being a center of Greco-Roman influence and inhabited by pagan Gentiles, it was also home to a significant number of Jews. Among the many followers of Jesus around the Sea of Galilee were residents of Tiberias (John 6:23).
 |
| Campernaum Synagogue |
Kǝfar Naḥūm, meaning “Village of Comfort,” was a fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, west of the Jordan River. In Jesus’ day its estimated population was around 1,500. Early in his ministry the Lord moved with his mother and siblings to Capernaum, making it his home-base,2 from which he traveled to other places and frequently returned.3 As he ministered in the community,4 he also taught in the local synagogue,5 near the house of Simon Peter and his wife, mother-in-law, and brother Andrew.6 Also nearby were Matthew Levi’s tax booth and home.7 Sadly, most of the residents of Capernaum rejected the Lord’s call to repentance and redemption (Matt. 11:20-24; Luke 10:15).
Reflections
Even in the harshest environments and most unlikely places, the Lord offers hope to all who are willing to listen with receptive and responsive hearts. The message of Christ has the power to convict and convert, no matter what obstacles try to stand in the way. Not everyone will take advantage of God’s merciful grace, but the places targeted and impacted by the ministry of Jesus demonstrate that all deserve a chance to receive it. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2).
--Kevin L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 The English word “panic” is derived from the name of the Greek god Pan, depicted as half-man/half-goat and provoking fear.
2 Matt. 4:13; John 1:12; cf. Matt. 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21.
3 Matt. 4:23-25; 8:5, 18; 17:24; Mark 2:1; 1:38; 9:33; Luke 4:42-44; 7:1.
4 Matt. 8:16-17; 9:1-8; Mark 1:32-34; 2:1-12; Luke 4:23, 40-41; 7:1-10; John 4:46-54; 6:24-59.
5 Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37; John 6:59.
6 Matt. 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-33; Luke 4:38-39; cf. Matt. 17:25; Mark 2:1.
7 Matt. 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32.
Related Posts: Biblical Journey: Israel Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Jordan Part 1, Jordan Part 2, Palestinian West Bank
Image credits:
Caesarea Philippi Cave of Pan, <https://www.generationword.com/Israel/caesarea_philippi.htm#GrottoShrin>.
Tiberias, <https://www.kayak.com/Tiberias.12463.guide>.
No comments:
Post a Comment