Cities & towns · Foot of Mount Hermon
Caesarea Philippi
What was Caesarea Philippi?
Caesarea Philippi, by the springs under Mount Hermon, is where Peter confessed: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
TodayBanias, in the Golan foothills of Mount Hermon
SettingSprings of the Jordan, below Hermon
EventPeter’s confession
At the cliff of Panias — a center of pagan worship by gushing springs that feed the Jordan — Philip the tetrarch built his capital and named it for Caesar and himself.
In that shadow of idols Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” and Peter answered with the church’s founding confession.
“On this rock I will build My church,” Jesus replied, “and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” From that hour he began to speak plainly of the cross.
Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)
Matthew 16:13 “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”” Matthew 16:16 “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”” Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”
Related places
Original BibleDawn profile. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Scripture quoted from the public-domain Berean Standard Bible.