The importance of geography in understanding the context of scripture.

The importance of geography in understanding the context of scripture.

Matt.16;13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am ? Caesarea Philippi sat on the site of the ancient Canaanite city of Asteroth, known as the "gates of hell" & site of the temple to Baal, 'lord of the dead'

After Peter answered the question of 'who do you think I am' with 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus told Peter 'That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'

One way to look at this verse is Christ was saying on this rock ie where we are standing (the 'gate of hell') Jesus was building his church.

Right after this Jesus took 3 of his disciples to a 'high mountain' the only high mt. near Caesarea Philippi is Mt.Hermon (9,700 ft) This is where Jesus was transfigured (shown in his full glory) Mt.Hermon is the place in the book of Enoch & 2nd Temple literature (Jewish writings form the 3rd century BC to 1 cen.AD) where the fallen angels descended to Earth (Gen.6) Christ in both examples was reclaiming the world from Satan