Caesar Augustus gave the district of Paneas to Herod the Great. Afterward, Herod built a magnificent temple near the cave in honor of the emperor. At his death, the district was passed from Herod to his son, Philip, the tetrarch of Trachonitis. He enlarged the city and named it Kaisereia (Caesarea) in honor of Caesar Augustus. The name Caesarea Philippi came to be used in the 1st Century to distinguish it from other cities named Caesarea. (There is some debate that Philip added his name, not to distinguish it from other cities, but rather to elevate his own name).
In 53 A.D. Agrippa II enlarged the city and renamed it Neronias, in honor of Nero. However, the use of this name is very rare.
In later years, Caesarea Philippi was superseded by its old name, Paneas. This ancient city is survived today by the village of Banias (the Arabic form of Panias).
Jesus was with His disciples in the area of Caesarea Philippi one day and a profound conversation took place:
Mt. 16.13-17 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
Comments
Post a Comment