Bible Location

Caesarea Maritima

New Testament

Caesarea Maritima was a major Mediterranean port city constructed on a monumental scale by Herod the Great. He named the city Caesarea in honor of Caesar Augustus and created an enormous artificial harbor that connected Judea directly with Mediterranean trade routes.

Under Roman rule Caesarea became the principal administrative center of Judea and the residence of Roman governors.

The city plays a major role in Acts, particularly in the conversion of Cornelius and during Paul's imprisonment before his voyage to Rome.

Biblical Significance

Philip the evangelist arrived at Caesarea after preaching along the coastal plain and later lived there with his family.

Cornelius, a Roman centurion stationed at Caesarea, received a vision directing him to send for Peter. Peter's visit and the reception of the Holy Spirit by Cornelius and his household became a decisive episode in the extension of the gospel to Gentiles.

Herod Agrippa I died at Caesarea following the dramatic episode recorded in Acts 12.

Paul repeatedly passed through Caesarea and was eventually imprisoned there for approximately two years. He appeared before governors Felix and Festus and before Herod Agrippa II before appealing to Caesar and being sent to Rome.

Historical Background

Herod the Great developed Caesarea between approximately 22 and 10 BC on the site of an earlier settlement known as Strato's Tower.

The project included a vast artificial harbor, palace, theater, public buildings, temples, streets, and an aqueduct system.

After Judea came under direct Roman administration, Caesarea became the primary residence of its governors. An inscription discovered at the site names Pontius Pilate and confirms his title as prefect of Judea.

The city remained an important administrative, commercial, and later Christian center for centuries.

Modern Identification

Caesarea Maritima is securely identified with the extensive archaeological site on the Mediterranean coast of modern Israel.

Excavations have uncovered Herodian, Roman, Byzantine, and later remains, including the theater, harbor installations, palace complex, aqueducts, and the inscription mentioning Pontius Pilate.

The archaeological identification is certain and provides unusually rich physical context for the events described in Acts.

Scripture References

Acts 8:40 Acts 10:1 Acts 12:19 Acts 21:8 Acts 23:23 Acts 24:27 Acts 25:1

Related Resources

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Sources

Bible: Acts 8:40, Acts 10:1-48, Acts 12:19-23, Acts 18:22, Acts 21:8-16, Acts 23:23-35, Acts 24-26; Josephus; Pilate inscription; archaeological excavations and historical studies of Caesarea Maritima