There were two cities named Caesarea in the 1st century A.D. Caesarea Philippi was located inland at the foot of Mt. Hermon, near the springs that fed the Jordan river. Jesus visited this city with his
disciples (Matthew 16:13). The other Caesarea, where the above photo was taken, was located on the shores of the Mediterranean. This coastal city was about 62 miles northwest of Jerusalem.
It was from this Caesarea by the Sea that a Roman Centurion (a person who captained 100 men in the Roman army) named Cornelius saw a vision that directed him to send for Simon Peter ( Acts 10). Cornelius, his family and others who came to
hear the Gospel preached by Peter became the first Gentile (e.g. non-Jewish) converts to true Christianity.
The apostle Paul was taken as a prisoner to Caesarea, under Roman protection, after a riot against him at Jerusalem's temple almost killed him and a subsequent plot was discovered to ambush and murder him (see Acts 21-23). Soon after his
arrival in Caesarea his case was heard by Roman governor Felix. The governor, however, kept Paul a prisoner in the city for two years in the hope that money would be offered to secure his release (Acts 24:26-27). It was only after Felix was replaced as governor, and Paul requested that Caesar himself
hear his case, that he left the city.
Scriptural References: Acts 10; 21-23; 24:26-27; 25-26 (KJV Bible)
Sources Used: Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible; Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible; The Life and Epistles of St. Paul by Conybeare and Howson.
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