THE GATES OF HELL WILL NOT “PREVAIL” - (MATT 16:13-16) BY DR ABRI BRANCKEN

In Matthew 16, we read about Jesus’ journey with his disciples to Caesarea Philippi, located in the Golan Heights region in northern Israel. Caesarea Philippi hosts one of the largest springs feeding the Jordan River. It is a beautiful green and fertile region that, during Biblical times, was an epicentre of pagan religious worship. In Old Testament times, this region was known as Bashan and was controlled by two kings, Sihon and Og. The Rephaim and the Anakim (giant tribes Deut 2:10–12) lived there. Why did Jesus walk over 40 km to ask His disciples, "Who do you say that I AM?" The answer might surprise you.