Places from the Scriptures

Caesarea Philippi

Learn about the place where the Savior asked, “Whom say ye that I am?”

Where Is It?

It is at the foot of Mount Hermon in northern Israel.

What Is There?

This ancient city is where a spring flows out of Mount Hermon.

This spring is one of the headwaters (or a source) of the Jordan River.

What Happened Here?

Jesus Christ asked His disciples: “Whom say ye that I am?”

Peter: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus: “Blessed art thou, … for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. …

“Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

“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 whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13–19.)

Did You Know?

The backdrop for this event in the scriptures was both beautiful and instructive:

• In biblical times, the spring at Caesarea Philippi seemed to burst right out of the mountain, flowing out of a cave.

• Jesus Christ said that He can give us “living water,” which is “a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:11, 14).

• Jesus Christ is the “source [of] a remission of [our] sins” (2 Nephi 25:26).

• Jesus Christ is the source of all priesthood authority and priesthood keys on earth (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:2–4).

• Revelation from God is a pure source of a testimony of Jesus Christ.