Caesarea Philippi
Bible. Also called Caesarea of Philip, Paneas, Panias, Banias, Philippi Caesarea.
| Classification | Place name |
|---|---|
| Era | New Testament period |
| Location | Southern slopes of Mount Hermon, near the sources of the Jordan River (modern Banias) |
| Related Documents | Caesarea, Transfiguration |
| Related Figures | Jesus Christ, Peter, Philip the tetrarch |
| Biblical References | Matthew 16; Mark 8 |
| Korean Revised Version (New Revised Korean Version) Spelling | Philippi Caesarea (reversed word order) |
Caesarea Philippi was a city on the southern slopes of Mount Hermon, near the sources of the Jordan River. The Gospels present it as the place where Jesus asked His disciples, "But whom say ye that I am?" and where Peter made his confession of faith.
About this articleAI draft from a Korean source. Notes on Korean Protestant practice. No sources listed. Not yet reviewed by a person.
- Origin
Drafted by AI from the Korean church.wiki article, then translated and adapted for English readers on 5 November 2026.
- Perspective
Includes notes on Korean Protestant practice; other traditions are noted where they differ.
- Sources
None listed yet. The article draws on the biblical text and general reference works. Add a source
- Review
Not yet reviewed by a person. Last edited by a person: never. Translation updated 5 November 2026. Edit history
In the Bible
Caesarea Philippi appears in Matthew 16:13 and Mark 8:27. On arriving in this region, Jesus asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" and then, "But whom say ye that I am?" Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). The New Korean Revised Version renders the name in reversed order, as "Philippi Caesarea."
Luke 9:18–20 records the same exchange but does not name the location. Immediately after this confession, Jesus foretold His suffering, death, and resurrection for the first time (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31). He also told His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him (Mark 8:34–35).
Background
The city stood at one of the springs that feed the Jordan River. Its earlier name was Paneas (or Panias), generally understood to derive from a sanctuary there dedicated to Pan, the Greek god of flocks and herds. The Jewish historian Josephus recorded that Herod the Great built a temple there in honor of the emperor Augustus.
Herod's son Philip the tetrarch (a regional ruler over part of a divided kingdom) rebuilt the city and named it "Caesarea" in honor of the Roman emperor (Caesar). To distinguish it from Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast, Philip's name was added, yielding "Caesarea of Philip."
Today the site is an archaeological location known as Banias. Some have associated it with Old Testament place names such as Baal-gad (Joshua 11:17), but this identification is uncertain.
Significance in the Bible as a Whole
In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the confession at Caesarea Philippi is read as a turning point in the narrative. From this scene onward, Jesus is confessed as the Messiah and the Son of God, and the direction of the story shifts from His ministry in Galilee toward His passion in Jerusalem.
Matthew and Mark follow this scene with the Transfiguration six days later. Scholars differ on whether the mountain was nearby Mount Hermon or Mount Tabor, the traditional site.
Interpretation and Debate
The words found only in Matthew, "thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18), are read differently in different church traditions.
- Roman Catholic Church: Identifies the "rock" as Peter and takes this verse as the basis for the primacy (supreme authority) of Peter and of his successors, the popes.
- Protestantism: Interpretations vary. Some identify the rock with Peter's confession of faith, others with Christ Himself. Still others hold that even if the rock is Peter, the words were addressed to him as representative of the apostles and do not establish an office passed on to successors.
Understandings of "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" in Matthew 16:19 also differ. The Heidelberg Catechism explains these keys as the preaching of the gospel and church discipline. The Westminster Confession of Faith states that the keys have been committed to the officers of the church.
In preaching, the cave at Banias is sometimes linked with "the gates of hell." This is an interpretation that has become widespread in modern times, not something the text itself states.
Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.
In Korean Protestant churches, the question "But whom say ye that I am?" is frequently used as a sermon text on the theme of confession of faith. The Banias ruins are also often included in itineraries for Korean Holy Land pilgrimages to Israel.
See also 8
Is there a problem with this article? Report it
Log in to report. Reports are reviewed within 24 hours.
Discussion 0
Share corrections, other viewpoints or questions about this article.