Ses´uh-ree´uh
A seaport on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, sometimes called Caesarea Maritima. Caesarea was the capital of Roman government in Palestine, serving as the seat of the Roman governors of the province of Judea and headquarters for the Roman legions stationed in the province. According to Acts, Christianity was preached in Caesarea by Philip (Acts 8:40) and Peter (Acts 10:1-11:18 cf. Acts 15:7-9), the latter being responsible for the conversion of the Roman centurion Cornelius. The city’s harbor (called Limen Sebastos) was the port of arrival and departure for several of Paul’s journeys (Acts 9:30; Acts 18:22; Acts 21:8; Acts 27:1-2). Paul was brought to Caesarea in custody from Jerusalem (Acts 23:23-35) to stand trial before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa II (Acts 24-26).
