Keraia
Matthew 16

Matthew 16:18

Peter’s Confession of Christ · Matthew 16:13–20
Read Matthew 16

Translations

Modern
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Traditional
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Literal
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Latin
Et ego dico tibi, quia tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram ædificabo Ecclesiam meam, et portæ inferi non prævalebunt adversus eam.

Original

Greek
English
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Notes

Matthew 16:18

  • In Greek, Peter’s name is Petros, which means “rock” or “stone.” When Jesus says, on this rock (Greek petra), he is making a play on words between Peter’s name (Petros) and the word for rock (petra).

    Peter was the foundational "rock" because he was the first to confess Jesus as the Christ and was leader of the apostles. He was the "founding member" of the Church (see Ephesians 2:20–22; Revelation 21:14).

    Some scholars think Jesus was talking about himself when he mentioned this rock. But it seems Jesus was referring to Peter or Peter's confession. However, it is clearly the church of Jesus, not of Peter. Jesus himself will build it. So, later church leaders do not need to get their authority from Peter.

  • Matthew is the only gospel writer who uses the term "church" (also Matthew 18:17). Here, it means "the community of God’s people" rather than the expanded idea of an organized church.

  • will not prevail against it: The church will not be defeated by Satan's attacks (see Matthew 11:12; 13:24–30, 36–43).

Events

Parallels

Mark 8:27–30 Luke 9:18–20 John 6:67–71

People

Peter: Apostle of Jesus, leader in the early church

Glossary

Church Gospel of Matthew Hades Herod, Herodian Family Jesus Christ Jesus Christ, Teachings of Jordan River Messiah Peter, the Apostle

Topics

Apostles: Inspiration of Binding and Loosing Church Anniversary Church Building Church Fellowship Church Growth Church: Christian, Divinely Established Church: Congregation Church: God Defends Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Denominations Faith: Trial of by the Question of Jesus, As to Who he Was Gates of Hell Gates of the Powers of Hell (Hades) Gates: (Of Hell) Satan's Power Hades: The Unseen World, Translated |Hell| in Av, but in the RV the Word |Hades| is Retained Hell: The Future Home of the Wicked Hell: The Powers of, Cannot Prevail Against the Church Hell: The RV Has Introduced |Hades| the Word Found in the Greek Text Jesus, the Christ: Revelations by: Concerning his Kingdom Joining the Local Church Leaving a Church Millennium: General Scriptures Concerning No Other Foundation Order in the Church Peter: Also Called Simon Bar-Jona and Cephas Peter: An Apostle Peter: Confesses Jesus to be the Messiah Protecting the Church Regular Church Attendance Rock: Figurative Rocks: Christ As Foundation of his Church Satan: Gates of Hell (Hades) Simon Peter Stones: The True Foundation Strong Foundation The Church of Christ The Church: God Defends The Importance of Church