Just as Jesus Christ perfectly punctuated the Levitical spring feasts at His crucifixion, likewise His words, deeds, and movements also had deliberate purpose. Our God is a God of order, Jesus did not wander aimlessly or randomly. As such, there is a predeterminate understanding as to why He approached Caesarea Philippi that has additional spiritual meaning. What happened at Caesarea Philippi?
The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. (1st John 3:8)
Lying north of the Galilee region and at the southwestern base of Mount Hermon, Caesarea Philippi was formerly known as “Paneas” until Herod the Great’s son Philip renamed it in honor of Caesar. Today, as seen in the photo above, it is known as Banias and it contains the site once sacred to the Greek goat god Pan known as the “Grotto of Pan” or “cave of Pan” wherein human sacrifices were performed. Inside the grotto (cave) and etched in the walls was a Greek sign that said, “gates of Hades.” It is important to note, that during the time of Christ, Caesarea Philippi was recognized commonly throughout Israel to be the location of the literal “gates of hell.”
Appropriately, and thus it was here that Jesus asked, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter confessed Him to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. “And Jesus answered and said unto him, blessed are thou, Simon Barjonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,” and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:17-18 KJV)
Jesus was making a statement that extended far beyond His audience of disciples, He was making a statement in the spiritual realm and to Satan and his demoniac. In the next verse He promises to empower the Church by His authority: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whosoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (verse 19)
It is no coincidence that the very next event that occurred in the gospel accounts was the Mount of Transfiguration whereby after declaring Himself to be the Christ, Jesus was seen in His glory by Peter, James and John demonstrating further evidence that He was the divine Son of God. The voice of God which the disciples heard, gave further confirmation of the calling and Sonship of Jesus. And where did this even take place?
Rising right above Caesarea Philippi is Mount Hermon at a height of 9,200 feet. Matthew 17:1 says that Jesus took Peter, James and John up a “high mountain.” Although some believe that Mount Tabor was the site of His Transfiguration, it is only 1,900 feet in altitude and has never been described as a “high mountain.” Most theologians believe the site of this event to be Mount Hermon but the Bible does not tell us precisely. Is there an additional connotation possibly attached to Mount Hermon?
Mount Hermon was known as a “holy mountain” to the ancient Canaanites. It was known to them as the holy mountain of “El” the Canaanite god. According to them, El held court on Mount Hermon with his consort Asherah and the “seventy sons of El.” Although “El” was a name that was used in the Hebrew to describe Yahweh (Elohim, El Shaddai, El Elyon, etc.) the “El” of the Canaanites was in no way Yahweh, the God of Israel. The god El of Canaan was in fact a figure head, the real power wielded by their “king of gods” known as Ba’al.
According the apocryphal books of Enoch and Jubilees, another heinous event occurred long ago on Mount Hermon. Although these books are not considered to be canon, it is noted that Jesus quoted from the book of Enoch on several occasions. Today they are to be read more for historical reference and context. It was on Mount Hermon that Enoch and Jubilees state that the fallen angels of Genesis 6 began procreating with human women producing the “Nephilim” (‘bene Elohim’ in Hebrew) or giants that wrought destruction on God’s creation and who ultimately perished in Noah’s Flood. According to Peter (2nd Peter 2:4) and Jude (1:6) these fallen angels await judgment in chains.
It is believed that it was here that the Lord was transfigured and “his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” (Matthew 17:1) Not only was the Transfiguration an undeniable demonstration of Jesus as the Son of God but, assuming Mount Hermon was indeed the location, the event would have signaled to the powers of evil moreover that His kingdom and authority would triumph, serving notice on the very site where great evil had occurred before.
Although it is only given in Luke’s account, after the Mount of Transfiguration we read in the next chapter (Luke 10) how Jesus sent out 70 disciples into the countryside in teams of two to heal the sick, drive out demons and proclaim that “the kingdom is near.” Upon their return and with reports of great excitement they said to Jesus, “even the devils (demons) are subject unto us through thy name.” (Luke 10:17) The “sending out of the 70” is an example and demonstration of what the Church was to employ as one of its primary missions: to destroy the works of the devil under the authority of Jesus Christ.
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21)
“And having disarmed the power and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15) It is the decisive victory of Jesus on the cross that usurps the authority of the kingdom of darkness.
“He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:18-20)