Jesus Fortells of His Death and Resurrection Mark 8:27-33

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ 27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

Mark 8:27-33 Jesus Christ brought His disciples to Caesarea Philippi where He revealed to His disciples for the first time that He was indeed the prophesied Messiah. The city of Caesarea Philippi, also known as ancient Paneas was situated way in the north about 30 miles past the Sea of Galilee on a terrace at the foot of Mount Hermon on its southern slope, about 1150 feet above sea level. The area had an unusually beautiful setting, it was very lush and full of life and it has always been one of the main sources of the Jordan River, Josephus said that it was the chief source. The ancient Canaanites built a sanctuary to Baal at Paneas, the Greeks and Romans both built sanctuaries there because of the cave of Pan. Inside the cave was a seemingly bottomless pit with an unlimited quantity of water which made the pagans marvel.

Paneas was a peculiarly remarkable place in its natural appearance with a sweeping view of the upper Jordan River Valley. Josephus considered it the main source of the Jordan River, and the ancient Greeks claimed the water that fed the Jordan actually flowed from the nearby cave. Later Josephus reported that an earthquake altered the area so the water source changed to underground springs in front of the cave. The area produced a lush oasis of life and overlooked the very fertile northern portion of the Jordan River Valley. It was located near the city of Dan 4 miles to the east near a trade road coming from the western Phoenician ports of Tyre and Sidon, to Damascus which was about 40 miles to the northeast.

The Place of Jesus' Great Revelation - Matthew 16:15-16 Caesarea Philippi was mentioned only twice in the Bible, both referring to the same event where Jesus chose to reveal to His disciples that He was the Messiah. He also announced His coming death in Jerusalem and the end of His earthly ministry and beginning of theirs. It is a mystery why Jesus chose this place to reveal who He was to His disciples, so far north of the Sea of Galilee, yet there are some interesting clues. Caesarea Philippi was the location the Cave of Pan, the place of the pagan Gate of Hades. (Matthew 16:15-16). Jesus blessed Peter and revealed to them "upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?