Location
Overview
Caesarea Philippi lay at the foot of Mount Hermon by a spring of the Jordan, a centre of pagan worship (its grotto was dedicated to the god Pan). Here, in this most pagan of settings, came the great confession.
"Thou art the Christ"
"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi," he asked, "Whom do men say that I... am?" Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus blessed him: "upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:13–18; Mark 8:27–29).
The turning point
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must... suffer many things... and be killed, and be raised again" (Matthew 16:21). The confession marks the hinge of the Gospel toward the cross.
Named for Caesar and Philip
The tetrarch Philip rebuilt the town and named it Caesarea (for Caesar) with his own name added — "Philippi" — to distinguish it from coastal Caesarea.
Events Here
Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ at Caesarea Philippi
Scripture References
2 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?
Archaeology & History
Caesarea Philippi is the site of Banias (Paneas) in the Golan, where a great spring gushes from a cliff beneath Mount Hermon — once dedicated to the god Pan, whose carved niches still mark the rock face. The striking pagan backdrop sharpens the drama of Peter confessing Jesus there as the Son of the living God.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Caesarea Philippi
Where is Caesarea Philippi today?
Today, Caesarea Philippi corresponds to Banias, Golan Heights.
What does the name Caesarea Philippi mean?
The name Caesarea Philippi means “Caesarea of Philip”.
What happened at Caesarea Philippi in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Caesarea Philippi include peter confesses jesus as the christ at caesarea philippi.
Where is Caesarea Philippi first mentioned in the Bible?
Caesarea Philippi is first mentioned in Matthew 16:13.
How often is Caesarea Philippi mentioned in the Bible?
Caesarea Philippi is mentioned in 2 verses across 2 books: Matthew, Mark.
What happened at Caesarea Philippi?
Peter confessed Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God," and Jesus declared he would build his church — a turning point after which he began to foretell his death and resurrection.
Is this the same as the coastal Caesarea?
No. Caesarea Philippi is inland, at the foot of Mount Hermon (modern Banias). Coastal Caesarea (Maritima) is the Roman provincial capital on the Mediterranean.