Introduction:
Caesarea, also known as Caesarea Maritima, was a significant city in ancient Palestine, located on the Mediterranean coast. It played a crucial role in the New Testament narrative and early Christian history. Built by Herod the Great, it served as a major port and the administrative center of the Roman province of Judea.

Historical Background:
Caesarea was constructed between 22 and 10 BC by Herod the Great, who named it in honor of Caesar Augustus. The city was renowned for its impressive harbor, Sebastos, which was one of the largest artificial harbors built in the open sea at that time. Herod's ambitious construction included a theater, a hippodrome, and an aqueduct, showcasing Roman engineering and architecture.

Biblical Significance:
Caesarea is mentioned several times in the New Testament, highlighting its importance in the early Christian era.

1. Philip the Evangelist:
After the persecution in Jerusalem, Philip the Evangelist settled in Caesarea. Acts 8:40 states, "But Philip appeared at Azotus, and he traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea."

2. Cornelius the Centurion:
Caesarea was the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who is noted for being the first Gentile convert to Christianity. Acts 10:1-2 describes him as "a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment. He and all his household were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly." Peter's visit to Cornelius marked a pivotal moment in the early Church, as it signified the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles.

3. Paul the Apostle:
Caesarea served as a significant location in the ministry and travels of the Apostle Paul. He visited the city multiple times, as recorded in Acts. In Acts 21:8, Paul stayed at the house of Philip the Evangelist in Caesarea. Later, Paul was held in custody in Caesarea for two years under Roman governors Felix and Festus (Acts 23:23-35; 24:27). During this time, he defended his faith before King Agrippa (Acts 25:13-26:32).

4. Paul's Journey to Rome:
Caesarea was the port from which Paul set sail for Rome, as recorded in Acts 27:1-2: "When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded an Adramyttian ship about to sail for ports along the coast of Asia, and we put out to sea."

Archaeological Discoveries:
Modern archaeological excavations have uncovered significant remains of Caesarea, including the theater, aqueduct, and portions of the harbor. These findings provide insight into the city's grandeur and its role as a hub of commerce and governance during the Roman period.

Theological Implications:
Caesarea's role in the New Testament underscores the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish communities to the Gentile world. The conversion of Cornelius and the events surrounding Paul's ministry in Caesarea highlight the inclusivity of the Christian message and the fulfillment of Jesus' command to be witnesses "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Conclusion:
While Caesarea is not mentioned in the Old Testament, its prominence in the New Testament narrative and early Church history makes it a vital location for understanding the spread of Christianity and the fulfillment of God's plan for all nations.(Palestinae), a city on the shore of the Mediterranean, on the great road from Tyre to Egypt, about 70 miles northwest of Jerusalem, at the northern extremity of the plain of Sharon. It was built by Herod the Great (B.C. 10), who named it after Caesar Augustus, hence called Caesarea Sebaste (Gr. Sebastos = "Augustus"), on the site of an old town called "Strato's Tower." It was the capital of the Roman province of Judaea, the seat of the governors or procurators, and the headquarters of the Roman troops. It was the great Gentile city of Palestine, with a spacious artificial harbour. It was adorned with many buildings of great splendour, after the manner of the Roman cities of the West. Here Cornelius the centurion was converted through the instrumentality of Peter (Acts 10:1, 24), and thus for the first time the door of faith was opened to the Gentiles. Philip the evangelist resided here with his four daughters (21:8). From this place Saul sailed for his native Tarsus when forced to flee from Jerusalem (9:30), and here he landed when returning from his second missionary journey (18:22). He remained as a prisoner here for two years before his voyage to Rome (Acts 24:27; 25:1, 4, 6, 13). Here on a "set day," when games were celebrated in the theatre in honour of the emperor Claudius, Herod Agrippa I. appeared among the people in great pomp, and in the midst of the idolatrous homage paid to him was suddenly smitten by an angel, and carried out a dying man. He was "eaten of worms" (12:19-23), thus perishing by the same loathsome disease as his granfather, Herod the Great. It still retains its ancient name Kaiseriyeh, but is now desolate. "The present inhabitants of the ruins are snakes, scorpions, lizards, wild boars, and jackals." It is described as the most desolate city of all Palestine.

How Titus Exhibited all Sorts of Shows at Cesarea Philippi. ...
... CHAPTER 2. How Titus Exhibited All Sorts Of Shows At Cesarea Philippi. Concerning
Simon The Tyrant How He Was Taken, And Reserved For The Triumph. ...
/.../chapter 2 how titus exhibited.htm

How Herod Celebrated the Games that were to Return Every Fifth ...
... CHAPTER 5. How Herod Celebrated The Games That Were To Return Every Fifth Year Upon
The Building Of Cesarea; And How He Built And Adorned Many Other Places ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how herod celebrated.htm

Concerning the Famine that Happened in Judea and Syria; and How ...
... CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Famine That Happened In Judea And Syria; And How Herod,
After He Had Married Another Wife, Rebuilt Cesarea, And Other Grecian Cities. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the famine.htm

Festus Succeeds Felix who is Succeeded by Albinus as He is by ...
... Florus also conducted him as far as Cesarea, and deluded him, though he had at that
very time the purpose of showing his anger at the nation, and procuring a ...
/.../chapter 14 festus succeeds felix.htm

How Joppa was Taken, and Tiberias Delivered Up.
... 1. Now Vespasian returned to Ptolemais on the fourth day of the month Panemus,
[Tamus] and from thence he came to Cesarea, which lay by the sea-side. ...
/.../chapter 9 how joppa was.htm

After what Manner Upon the Death of Claudius, Nero Succeeded in ...
... 7. And now it was that a great sedition arose between the Jews that inhabited Cesarea,
and the Syrians who dwelt there also, concerning their equal right to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 after what manner.htm

What Things were done after the Death of Agrippa; and How Claudius ...
... But when it was known that Agrippa was departed this life, the inhabitants of Cesarea
and of Sebaste forgot the kindnesses he had bestowed on them, and acted ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 what things were.htm

Sedition of the Jews against Pontius Pilate. Concerning Christ ...
... 1. But now Pilate, the procurator of Judea, removed the army from Cesarea to Jerusalem,
to take their winter quarters there, in order to abolish the Jewish laws ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 sedition of the.htm

Paul Before Festus and Agrippa.
... emperor. Felix was succeeded by Festus, who a few days after his arrival
in the province, went up from Cesarea to Jerusalem. The ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxviii paul before festus.htm

But Gamala Persevered in Its Allegiance to the Romans...
... the king what had been done. He moreover slew many of the Jews, in order
to gratify the Syrians of Cesarea. He had a mind also to ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 11 but gamala persevered.htm

Cesarea (17 Occurrences)
...Cesarea (17 Occurrences). ... (WBS YLT). Acts 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and
passing through, he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea. ...
/c/cesarea.htm - 13k

Philip'pi (6 Occurrences)
... Matthew 16:13 And Jesus, having come to the parts of Cesarea Philippi, was asking
his disciples, saying, 'Who do men say me to be -- the Son of Man?' (See RSV). ...
/p/philip'pi.htm - 8k

Cesar (20 Occurrences)

/c/cesar.htm - 12k

Cesar's (8 Occurrences)

/c/cesar's.htm - 8k

Questioning (65 Occurrences)
... Mark 8:27 And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, to the villages of Cesarea Philippi,
and in the way he was questioning his disciples, saying to them, 'Who ...
/q/questioning.htm - 24k

Questioned (57 Occurrences)
... Mark 8:27 And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, to the villages of Cesarea Philippi,
and in the way he was questioning his disciples, saying to them, 'Who ...
/q/questioned.htm - 22k

Kindred (41 Occurrences)
... Acts 10:24 and on the morrow they did enter into Cesarea; and Cornelius was waiting
for them, having called together his kindred and near friends, (YLT). ...
/k/kindred.htm - 21k

District (59 Occurrences)
... Matthew 16:13 And Jesus, having come to the parts of Cesarea Philippi, was asking
his disciples, saying, 'Who do men say me to be -- the Son of Man?' (See NAS ...
/d/district.htm - 24k

Phillippi (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the borders of Cesarea Phillippi, he asked his
disciples, saying, Who do men say that I the Son of man am? (WBS). ...
/p/phillippi.htm - 7k

Proclaiming (63 Occurrences)
... Acts 8:40 and Philip was found at Azotus, and passing through, he was proclaiming
good news to all the cities, till his coming to Cesarea. (YLT). ...
/p/proclaiming.htm - 25k

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