Background Information:
Caesarea Phillippi: This region is in the northeast section of Israel called the Golan Heights. This region was about 20 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. In Israel a
ll of the important temples, synagogues, and temples were built on top of mountains and hills. At Caesarea Phillipi there is a massive rock over 100 feet tall and about 500 feet wide. The city of Caesarea Phillipi was built on top of this enormous rock. This city was rededicated by King Phillip to honor Caesar in Rome. Caesarea Phillipi was a place where the Greek and Roman gods were worshipped.
The Gates of Hell: In the center of the rock was a huge cave, called the Gates of Hades. A stream flowed out form this cave. In ancient times, this was the Cave of Pan. It was believed that Baal would enter and leave the underworld through this stream. The source of the stream was thought to have come from Hades.
Why did Jesus go to Caesarea Phillipi? Jesus starts His conversation with the Apostles concerning the question about who do they think that the Son of Man is. Peter sets the stage for Peter to correctly identify Jesus in front of the other disciples. Jesus know that Peter will be divinely inspired to reveal Jesus’ true identity.
How does Peter respond to Jesus? Peter states that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus claims that flesh and blood had not yet revealed this to Peter. Only the Father in heaven knows this. Therefore, Peter was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
How does Jesus later respond to Peter? Jesus states that Peter is the rock upon which He will build His church. Neither the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. This conversation occurs against the backdrop of massive rock of Caesarea Phillipi. Jesus spoke in Aramaic to His disciples. The Aramaic kepha means rock. Jesus shows that Peter will be the rock (foundation) of Jesus’s church.
What is the significance of the gates of hell? Jesus will give authority to Peter to ultimately prevail over Satan’s efforts and opposition against His church. Jesus gives Peter the position of a prime minister holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven. This draws a parallel to David giving the keys to prime minister to protect and manage David’s palace. Jesus also states that evil (the netherworld) will not prevail over His church. The church will not be overcome by the power of death. Jesus states this against the backdrop of the Gates of Hades at the massive rock at Caesarea Phillipi.
Scripture:
“When Jesus went into the region of Caearea Phillipi, He asked His disciples, ‘Who do you say that the Son of Man is?’” Mt.16:13
Jesus comes to Caesarea Phillipi to have a conversation against the backdrop of the massive rock gates of Hades at Casearea Phillipi.
“And so I say to you (Simon), you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” Mt. 16:18
Jesus gives Peter authority to lead His church in prevailing over evil.
An Artist’s Rendering of Cave of Pan (bringing river from Hades) at Caesarea Phillipi