Matthew 16:13 "Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?'"

 

What was the significance of Jesus’ actions to bring his disciples to Caesarea Philippi?

 

The Significance of Caesarea Philippi

To truly grasp what was happening in Matthew 16:13 to 17:8, one first has to understand the significance of Caesarea Philippi and Mt. Hermon. When Jesus brought his disciples here, the setting was no accident. This location was deeply symbolic and spiritually significant. Caesarea Philippi was steeped in spiritual darkness, filled with a demonic presence, and active in pagan worship, providing a profound backdrop for Jesus to pose a critical question to his disciples.

 

A Spiritually Dark Place

Caesarea Philippi is located southwest of Mt. Hermon. Originally, it was known as Paneas, after the Greek god Pan. There is a natural spring and a cave called Pan’s Cave, which was believed to be a gateway to the underworld — a place of spiritual chaos and death. Pan is depicted as part man and part goat, symbolising lust and unrestrained wildness, embodying rebellion against God’s design.

 

A Hub of Pagan Worship

In 3 BC, Herod's son, Philip II, renamed Paneas to Caesarea Philippi in honour of Caesar Augustus, who was considered a god by the Romans. Augustus believed that he was deserving of worship, and the city had a temple dedicated to him. This city was a melting pot of pagan idolatry, hosting a sprawling complex of temples dedicated to various gods, including Caesar and Pan. It was a place where blasphemy against the true and living God and spiritual corruption were rampant.

 

The Book of Enoch

The Book of Enoch casts further light on the spiritual significance of this place. The Book of Enoch was a popular book of the pseudepigrapha in Jewish culture during the 1st century, written perhaps around 300 BC. It provides an embellished account of the ancient rebellion of angels described in Genesis 6. According to the Book of 1 Enoch, Mount Hermon was the actual place where 200 fallen angels descended and made their infamous pact to rebel against God. These demonic beings, led by Semjaza, descended on Mt. Hermon and had sexual relations with human women, allegedly producing a race of giants, further corrupting the earth. The following passage from 1 Enoch 6:1-7 details the angels' oath and descent:

 

"And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters. And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: 'Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children.'

 

And Semjaza, who was their leader, said unto them: 'I fear ye will not indeed agree to do this deed, and I alone shall have to pay the penalty of a great sin.' And they all answered him and said: 'Let us all swear an oath, and all bind ourselves by mutual imprecations not to abandon this plan but to do this thing.'

 

Then sware they all together and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. And they were in all two hundred; who descended in the days of Jared on the summit of Mount Hermon, and they called it Mount Hermon, because they had sworn and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it."                                             1 Enoch 6:1-6

                                                                       [i](Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, 2019)

Parallels to Mt. Hiei

Remarkably, Mt. Hermon shares many parallels with other such spiritual sites in the world. One such place is Mt. Hiei in Japan, a World Heritage site and a place of interfaith worship, numerous Buddhist and Shinto temples and shrines, demonic visitation, communication with the dead, and gateways to the underworld.  These places often become focal points of spiritual contention and battle.

 

A Spiritual Battleground

Without this historical insight, Christians have often missed or had an impoverished understanding of where Jesus was and what he was demonstrating. By taking his disciples to Caesarea Philippi, a place synonymous with spiritual darkness and demonic activity, Jesus was making a powerful statement about His authority and the true nature of His mission.

 

Looking Ahead

As we continue exploring the nature of the true church, we must recognise the profound significance of Caesarea Philippi and Mt. Hermon. This location serves as a backdrop for understanding the ongoing spiritual battle against the establishment of the true church.  In the next part of our series, we delve deeper into the characteristics of the true church of Jesus Christ amidst the chaos.

Call to Action

 

Reflect on the significance of Caesarea Philippi in your understanding of Jesus' mission.

 

 

 

How does this context deepen your appreciation for his authority and the true nature of the church?

 

 

 

Write down your thoughts and insights.