Location
Overview
Caesarea Maritima, built by Herod the Great on the Mediterranean coast, was the seat of Roman government in Judea. In Acts it becomes a hinge of the gospel's spread to the nations.
The gospel comes to the Gentiles
Here the Roman centurion Cornelius sent for Peter, who preached to his household; the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles and they were baptized — the turning point of Acts 10 (Acts 10:24, 44–48).
Philip and the prophecy
Philip the evangelist settled in Caesarea (Acts 8:40; 21:8), where the prophet Agabus warned Paul of his coming arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 21:10–11).
Paul's imprisonment and defense
Paul was held two years in Caesarea, making his defense before the governors Felix and Festus and before King Agrippa, to whom he declared, "I appeal unto Caesar" (Acts 25:11–12; 26:28). From its harbour he was finally shipped to Rome.
Events Here
Peter preaches to Cornelius; the Gentiles receive the Spirit
Agabus warns Paul of his arrest at Caesarea
Paul defends himself before Festus and appeals to Caesar
Scripture References
17 versesMatthew1 verse
Matthew 16:13
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mark1 verse
Mark 8:27
And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
Acts15 verses
Acts 8:40
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Acts 9:30
Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
Acts 10:1
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
Acts 10:24
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
Acts 11:11
And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
Acts 12:19
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
Acts 18:22
And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
Acts 21:8
And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
Acts 21:16
There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Acts 23:23
And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
Acts 23:33
Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
Acts 25:1
Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
Acts 25:4
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
Acts 25:6
And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. more: or, as some copies read, no more than eight or ten days
Acts 25:13
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
Archaeology & History
Herod's city, begun around 22 BC, boasted a vast artificial harbour (Sebastos), a theatre, hippodrome, and aqueducts — much of it excavated today. A limestone block found there bearing the name of Pontius Pilate ("the Pilate Stone") is the only contemporary inscription naming the prefect who condemned Jesus.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Caesarea
Where is Caesarea today?
Today, Caesarea corresponds to Caesarea Maritima (ruins), Israel.
What does the name Caesarea mean?
The name Caesarea means “Named in honour of Caesar”.
What happened at Caesarea in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Caesarea include peter preaches to cornelius; the gentiles receive the spirit; agabus warns paul of his arrest at caesarea; paul defends himself before festus and appeals to caesar.
Where is Caesarea first mentioned in the Bible?
Caesarea is first mentioned in Matthew 16:13.
How often is Caesarea mentioned in the Bible?
Caesarea is mentioned in 17 verses across 3 books: Matthew, Mark, Acts.
Why is Caesarea important in Acts?
It was the Roman capital of Judea and the place where the gospel first reached the Gentiles (Cornelius and his household), and where Paul was imprisoned for two years and made his appeal to Caesar.
Is this the same as Caesarea Philippi?
No. Caesarea Maritima is the coastal Roman capital. Caesarea Philippi is a separate inland town in the north, near the foot of Mount Hermon.