Banias, as well as being a place of great natural beauty, is the site of ancient Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus demanded to know of His disciples who people were saying He was. The story has added poignancy because of the location: Caesarea Philippi was the local center of the Cult of Pan (hence Panias/Banias) and, as being close to the source of the Jordan, had the river gushing out of a cave that led people to declare it was the river Styx, the gateway to the underworld.

Mark Chapter 8

27 And Jesus went on with his disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he charged them to tell no one about him.

The Revised Standard Version, (New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.) 1973, 1977.