Page 92 - Bible Geography and Near East Studies - Textbook w videos short

Jesus led his young disciples to the “region of Caesarea Philippi” (Matthew 16:13), which must have
shocked them. There was no synagogue in Banias. There were no faithful Jewish people there. Instead,
there was practically a cafeteria of pagan religions on display!

After asking his disciples what other people were saying about him, he suddenly asked, “But what about
you? Who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you
by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter,
and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. -
Matthew 16:16-18

This conversation, in this particular place, is one of the best example of how the
land of the Bible makes a difference in a familiar Bible passage. Though Jesus gives
Simon a new name (“Peter” means “rock”) and the “keys to the kingdom,” his
lesson at Caesarea Philippi is clearly about bringing his light into the darkest places
of any culture. Jesus was bringing his movement to a place that desperately needed
hope. Indeed, before Jesus left the region, he healed a young boy who had been
possessed by demonic forces (Matthew 17:14-17).

The Gates of Hell: conversations with Jesus in Caesarea Philippi

Mt. Hermon

Mt. Hermon rises 9,232 feet above sea level, far higher than any other peak in Israel. Jerusalem, for
instance, is 2,500 feet above sea level.

Today the mountain is a meeting point between Israel, Syria and Lebanon. Covered with snow in the
winter and spring, the mountain provides life-giving water to the land on all sides of it. On the southern
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