Large cave- Grotto of Pan-
The center of pagan worship.
Known as Banias- in the Golan Heights.
Known as Banias- in the Golan Heights.
This was Baal Hermon,
Baal Gad of Old testament times.
Here is where 3rd century BC sacrifices
were made to flute playing god Pan-
half-man, half-goat.
Numerous temples were built here
in the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
The city was known as Panias
or in Arabic- Banias.
2.5 miles north of the Sea of Galilee
at the base of Mt Herman
Location of one of the largest springs
feeding the Jordan River.
Close up of the rock
at the base of Mt. Herman.
Sacred Niches - a rocky escarpment
with a series of hewn niches
Statues of the deities were placed here.
Here is the backdrop setting
to where Jesus brought
His disciples in Mark 8:27.
With the vivid pagan world around Him,
He asked-
"Who do people say that I am?"
The world says-
John the Baptist or Elijah, or a prophet.
"But, who do YOU say that I am?"
You can almost imagine Peter's gaze
around the stone niches as he says,
"You are the Christ."
The popular, pagan culture
visually blared denial.
Just as our visually blaring
culture still denies today.
Caesarea Philippi was once a great city.
In 20 BC it was annexed
to the Kingdom of Herod the Great.
In 3 BC Philip (the Tretarch)
founded a city here at Paneas.
He named it Caesarea-
in honor of Caesar Augustus
in honor of Caesar Augustus
and made many improvements to the city.
In later history this area moved from
Arab caliphate control,
was pillaged by the crusaders in 1148,
and later ruled by the
Ottoman Turks.
Arab caliphate control,
was pillaged by the crusaders in 1148,
and later ruled by the
Ottoman Turks.
Today only ruins hold this place
in history in a National Park.
And a quietness surrounds
with the simple question
we must all still answer today-
"Who do you say that I am?"
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