Israel Day 3/8: Banias/Caesarea Philippi

Heading to the northern point of Israel in the Golan Heights and the base of Mt Hermon, is the region known as Caesarea Philippi. In the Bible, this region is where the woman was healed from her bleeding by touching the hem of Jesus' garment. It was recorded that a statue of Jesus, commissioned by the woman, once stood in a Byzantine church there. Mt Hermon is also possibly the site of the transfiguration of Jesus.

Springs run down the mountain to Banias Nature Reserve and archaeological site.

It used to be called Panias, after the Greek god Pan, and was a center of Pan worship during the Hellenistic and Roman times.

Worship of Pan began in this area in the 3rd century BC. Water filled the cave thanks to a deep spring and then flowed down the hillside. A sacrifice would be tossed into the cave, believed to be an entrance to the underworld, or the "gates of Hades." If blood flowed out in the stream, it meant the sacrifice was not accepted and was seen as a bad omen. No blood meant the god was pleased and good things would result.

The most well-known Bible passage about this site is recorded in Matthew 16:13-18

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?”

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

17 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. 18 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.

Near the entrance are niches which contained sculptures of other gods, including Hermes, Pan's father.

The other ruins are of the other temples and courts there. I love the pictures of our group from this day. It reminds me of when I dressed the boys in matching colors when they were little so I could easily find them when we were out in public. 

Before leaving, Chris and I hiked up this little trail and got some great shots of the site from above...