Lexical Summary Kaisareia: Caesarea Original Word: Καισάρεια Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Caesarea. From Kaisar; Caesaria, the name of two places in Palestine -- Caesarea. see GREEK Kaisar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Kaisar Definition Caesarea, the name of two cities in Pal. NASB Translation Caesarea (17). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2542: ΚαισάρειαΚαισάρεια (Καισαρια Tdf. (cf. his note on Acts 9:30), WH; see Iota), Καισαριας, ἡ, Caesarea; there were two cities of this name in Palestine: 1. Caesarea Philippi (Καισάρεια ἡ Φιλίππου), situated at the foot of Lebanon near the sources of the Jordan in Gaulanitis, and formerly called Paneas (ἥν Πανεαδα Φοίνικες προσαγορεύουσιν, Eus. h. e. 7, 17); but after being rebuilt by Philip the tetrarch, it was called by him Caesarea in honor of Tiberius Caesar (Josephus, Antiquities 18, 2, 1f); subsequently it was called Neronias by Agrippa II., in honor of Nero (Josephus, Antiquities 20, 9, 4); now Banias, a village of about 150 ((?) "about 50" (Bädeker), some forty (Murray)) houses: Matthew 16:13; Mark 8:27. 2. Caesarea (more fully Caesarea of Palestine (modern Kaisariyeh)), built near the Mediterranean by Herod the Great on the site of Strato's Tower, between Joppa and Dora. It was provided with a magnificent harbor and had conferred upon it the name of Caesarea, in honor of Augustus. It was the residence of the Roman procurators, and the majority of its inhabitants were Greeks (Josephus, Antiquities 13, 11, 2; 15, 9, 6; 19, 8, 2; b. j. 2, 9, 1): Acts 8:40; Acts 9:30; Acts 10:1, 24; Acts 11:11; Acts 12:19; Acts 18:22; Acts 21:8, 16; Acts 23:23, 33; Acts 25:1, 4, 6, 13. Cf. Winers RWB (and BB. DD.) under the word Two principal cities bear the name Caesarea in the New Testament: the coastal Caesarea Maritima, administrative seat of Roman Judea, and inland Caesarea Philippi, located at the foot of Mount Hermon near one of the sources of the Jordan River. Both owe their titles to imperial patronage, yet each figures in Scripture for distinct reasons—one as a strategic hinge for the expansion of the gospel to the nations, the other as the backdrop for the Messianic confession of Peter. Caesarea Maritima Built by Herod the Great (circa 22–10 BC) on a former Phoenician anchorage, Caesarea Maritima became the largest artificial harbor of its day (Sebastos) and a showcase of Roman engineering. With its theater, hippodrome, temple to Augustus, and later a praetorium, the city embodied Rome’s cultural and political authority in the Levant. In Acts it is the recurring stage for pivotal developments: • Cornelius, “a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment,” receives a vision here (Acts 10:1). Peter’s ensuing visit breaks the ethnic barrier in the early church, as “the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the message” (Acts 10:44). From Caesarea, the gospel formally enters the Gentile world. By the late first century the city hosted one of the earliest Christian libraries; Eusebius would later serve as bishop here, preserving many apostolic traditions. Caesarea Philippi Situated near the grotto of Pan, Caesarea Philippi had long been a center of pagan worship. Philip the tetrarch enlarged and renamed Paneas in honor of Tiberius Caesar and himself, distinguishing it from the coastal Caesarea. Against this dark religious backdrop the identity of Jesus is unveiled: “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’… Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:13, 16). A week later, likely still in that vicinity, the transfiguration confirms the declaration (Matthew 17:1–8). Mark parallels the scene (Mark 8:27). The contrast is deliberate: amid pagan shrines and imperial propaganda, the true King is confessed, and the promise of the church’s indestructibility (“the gates of Hades will not prevail,” Matthew 16:18) is proclaimed. Theological and Missional Significance 1. Gateway to the Nations: Cornelius’s conversion in Caesarea Maritima marks a decisive fulfillment of Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 42:6; Acts 1:8. The geographical shift from Jerusalem to a Gentile port city symbolizes the outward surge of the gospel. Archaeological Insights Excavations at Caesarea Maritima have uncovered: At Caesarea Philippi, the niches carved into the cliff and the remnants of the Augusteum provide vivid context for the Gospel narratives. Lessons for Ministry Today • Strategic Centers: Like the early church, modern missions may fruitfully engage cultural crossroads—university cities, trade hubs, media centers—trusting God to open doors as He did in Caesarea (Acts 10:34–35). Key References Matthew 16:13–20; Mark 8:27–30; Acts 8:40; 9:30; 10:1–48; 11:11; 12:19–24; 18:22; 21:8–16; 23:23–35; 24–26; 25:1–13. Conclusion Caesarea, whether perched on the Mediterranean or nestled at the foot of Mount Hermon, serves as more than a geographical marker; it is a theological waypoint where God unfolds His redemptive plan—bridging Jew and Gentile, exposing false worship, and demonstrating that the gospel flourishes even in the shadow of imperial power. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 16:13 N-GFSGRK: τὰ μέρη Καισαρείας τῆς Φιλίππου NAS: into the district of Caesarea Philippi, KJV: the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, INT: the parts of Caesarea Philippi Mark 8:27 N-GFS Acts 8:40 N-AFS Acts 9:30 N-AFS Acts 10:1 N-DFS Acts 10:24 N-AFS Acts 11:11 N-GFS Acts 12:19 N-AFS Acts 18:22 N-AFS Acts 21:8 N-AFS Acts 21:16 N-GFS Acts 23:23 N-GFS Acts 23:33 N-AFS Acts 25:1 N-GFS Acts 25:4 N-AFS Acts 25:6 N-AFS Acts 25:13 N-AFS Strong's Greek 2542 |
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