It’s NOT what you might expect. Instead of a dry, dusty place, northern Israel is lush and abundant with vegetation, especially in the area of the Dan Nature Preserve. Nestled at the base of Mount Hermon, the spring and tropical environment of ancient Panias (pictured above) is situated along the geographic region of the fertile crescent near the Golan Heights. It was an ideal location for settlers, farmers, and traders who took advantage of not only the moderate temperatures, but also the clean, refreshing mountain water. From the snowmelt and abundant rain of the Anti- Lebanese Mountain range above, a number of beautiful springs emerge which form the headwaters of the legendary Jordan river. Because of the abundance of flora, fauna, and an ample water supply, some of the early inhabitants of this region began worshipping pagan deities connected to nature. During the time of Jesus, one of those springs flowed from a large grotto whose opening was covered with an important Greek shrine from the 3rd century B.C. The temple sanctuary was dedicated to the god Pan and the city came to be known as Panias. Due to seismic activity over the centuries, only portions of the grotto of Pan remain today (see center of photo).
Depicted as a half-man, half-goat figure, Pan was the god of shepherds and hunters and was worshipped in outdoor places often near abundant water sources symbolizing fertility. He was considered to be the son of Hermes who was the famed messenger god frequently portrayed as traveling to and from the underworld (or Hades). Some say the cave at Caesarea Philippi was considered by its citizens to be one of the gateways utilized by Hermes, but this is disputed by some. If true, it would make an interesting connection between what Jesus said about the gates of Hades not prevailing against the establishment of his church (Matthew 16:18). While the tradition that a belief existed connecting this site to a gateway for the underworld is questioned by some, what isn’t in doubt is that a pagan sanctuary near the grotto was erected to honor Pan the son of Hermes. Other gods such as Zeus and Nemesis were also worshipped at the site, but by the time of the Roman empire, Octavian, the son of Julius Caesar was worshipped in Caesarea as well.
As the Roman empire expanded to the east, more and more territories surrounding the Mediterranean fell under their control, including Israel in 63 B.C. In an effort to control each new territory, Rome would often appoint local magistrates to rule on their behalf. To garner favor and the financial support of the emperor it was common for these local officials to erect temples and rebuild cities in honor of the emperor who had appointed them. This is exactly what was done by King Herod the great who gained control over the land of Israel in 37 B.C. and was also granted control of Panias by the reigning emperor Octavian.
As the adopted son of Julius Cesar, Octavian was well-known for embracing the title “the son of the Divine Julius.” This designation granted him divine status and he was thereby worshipped and praised by subjects loyal to the imperial cult. Josephus tells us that at Panias Herod constructed a temple in honor of Octavian: “And when Caesar had further bestowed upon him another additional country, he built there also a temple of white marble, hard by the fountains of Jordan: the place is called Panium…”(Wars 1 21 3). After Herod’s death, his son Philip the tetrarch ruled Panias, and to further honor Octavian “the son of the divine Julius,” he renamed the city “Caesarea”, but added “Philippi” to distinguish it from the already well-known Caesarea built on the coast of the Mediterranean.
Now, considering the propensity for pagan worship at Panias, and its recognition of Pan and Octavian as the sons of deities, I am inclined to think that Jesus entered the region of Caesarea-Philippi with intent (Matthew 16:13). It seems he not only wanted to confront the cultural paradigm of the area, but also to deliberately challenged the thinking of his disciples about his own identity? What did they really believed about him? Was he a mere prophet like Isaiah or John the Baptist? Was he simply a catalyst for change who identified with the poor and outcast? Did his disciples really believe that Jesus was the divine son of God? Was he the ONLY true God; the son of the LIVING God? And, were they ready to accept the full implications of such a conviction?
As Jesus came to this region of Caesarea Philippi he inquired of his disciples, “Whom do people say that I am?" To this, the apostle Peter answered, “you are the Christ, the son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). The gods of the Greeks and Romans were dead (metaphorically speaking, because they were NEVER alive), but the Father of Jesus is alive. Thus, Peter’s confession about Jesus was not only an acknowledgement of the Lord’s deity, but it was an indictment of Pan and Octavian as well. They were sons of dead gods and their temples would soon crumble and ultimately disappear. But, Christ the son of the true God and his temple lives on today within the hearts and lives of his followers. The true God doesn't dwell within temples made with hands, but lives forevermore reigning over all the earth.
By John W. Moore
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