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Matthew 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14] And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." 15] He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16] Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17] And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18] "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19] "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
In this passage Jesus speaks of the 'gates of Hades,' and of Peter (Petros), and of building His church upon 'this' rock (Petra).
Noting the historical and the geological setting where Jesus was when He had this conversation with His disciples provides a little insight into this passage. Jesus and His disciples were in Northern Israel in the district of Caesara Philippi which is also known as Panias after the Greek god Pan. It is the site of 'the gates of Hades.' When Jesus had this conversation they were standing in front of a huge rock escarpment. At the base of this escarpment there is a deep chasm that is known as the 'Grotto of the god Pan'. Sacrifices would be performed there to the god Pan and the sacrifice thrown into the chasm which was thought to be an entry point to Hades.
Here is a picture of that chasm which was believed to be one of the gates of Hades. Jesus and His disciples were standing here when He had the above conversation with them.
Here is a YouTube video of the Gates of Hades. In the video is a picture of how it looked in Jesus' day. There were three different temples or shrines standing then in front of the gates of Hades.
When Jesus spoke of the gates of Hades, and of this rock (Petra) He was playing off the scene that was in their background. He spoke of the gates of Hades while they were standing right in front of the 'gates of Hades.' His 'rock' analogy was drawn from the huge rock escarpment which was before them.
Interesting but Unlikely he would use a pagan site as an illustration for his people and the Rock is Jesus, so that kinda lets that out. to.
Jesus and the disciples were at that site when He had the conversation with them that is recorded in Matthew 16:13-19. Jesus drew upon the imagery that the site provided in His talk with the disciples. Of course Jesus is the rock. That did not preclude Him from drawing on His surroundings to give an illustration in His talk with His disciples.
Jesus and the disciples were at that site when He had the conversation with them that is recorded in Matthew 16:13-19. Jesus drew upon the imagery that the site provided in His talk with the disciples. Of course Jesus is the rock. That did not preclude Him from drawing on His surroundings to give an illustration in His talk with His disciples.
Amen, and at the foot of Mount Hermon, the source of the river Jordan is unmuddied and clear. God took that which was used for evil (Mt. Hermon, the hill of curses), and used it for His righteousness. Amen.
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