A Byzantine church said to have been built around the location where Jesus referred to Simon Peter as “the rock” has been discovered in a nature reserve in northern Israel.
The ruins of the former church, dated to have been built around the start of the fifth century, was recently discovered at the foot of a waterfall in the Banias Nature Reserve.
The Times of Israel reports that the church might have been built in the area once known as Caesarea Philippi to commemorate the events recorded in Matthew 16.
In the passage, Jesus asked His disciples who He was, with Peter responding that He was the Messiah. From there, Jesus commends Simon Peter for his statement.
Verses 18 and 19 read — “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Among the ruins was a large stone that had several small crosses etched into it, most likely from Christian pilgrims to the site who wanted to note that they had been to the church.
The Banias reserve also boasts of having what Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority calls “the most powerful waterfall in Israel.” It falls 10 meters with enormous force and noise into a beautiful pool surrounded by vegetation.