Matthew 16: 18 Commentary

Matthew 16:18, said, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Jesus used the demonstrative “this” (taute), which grammatically points to Peter’s confession, “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God” as the rock. Jesus said, “Thou are Peter (petros), (”masculine” meaning a “stone” ) on this rock (petra, (femine) meaning a huge rock foundation. Jesus said that Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ is the foundation upon which He would build His assembly). Grammatically the statement does not promise that Jesus would build His church (”assembly” -ekklesia) upon Peter but upon Peter’s confession. Grammatically both the noun “Peter” and the noun “rock” would have to be the same gender in order for this sentence to support the idea of the Peter being the “rock.” The word “rock” is femine not masculine and therefore the rock cannot be referring to Peter. Therefore, grammatically the word “rock” is identified with Peter’s statement not Peter himself.

Jesus would not have trusted such a precious possession as His “ekklesia” to the leadership of even one fallible man much less a whole succession of them. Jesus Christ Himself built the institution of the local assembly (church) and He is its Head directing it by His Word (John 1:1). The pope of Rome is called by the Roman Catholic Church “the Vicar of the Son of God” (Vicarius Filii Dei) meaning Jesus Christ’s representative on earth. However, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit, not a pope, was sent to take the place of Jesus on earth. God the Holy Spirit indwells individual believers when they receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. The Holy Spirit was given to guide us into all truth (John 16:7-15) and the Scriptures were given for teaching, for reproving, for correction, and for instruction (II Timothy 3:16). Christ did not leave His assembled followers to human leadership. Jesus Himself is still the Head of His Church. He speaks to us through His infallible Word, the Holy Scriptures, by His ever present and infallible indwelling Holy Spirit. Men or churches have no authority to add to or to change in any way the clear instructions of the New Testament as to what is an “ekklesia” (local assembly of believers)

This passage does not support the papacy and in fact rebukes the false teachings of the Roman Catholic church and it is dishonest for the Roman church to use it to justify its unbiblical papacy.

By apollos6640 (wrote 15 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/4/2011 22:06 pm

And I say unto thee…thou art ‘a STONE’ …thou art’ A ROCK ‘(Peter, Petros, Cephas, Kefas)…

And upon this ROCK (Petra-feminine) not Petros(masculine)-Petros is Peter, what is Petra?

Peter and the Apostles are the first foundation stones of the church (Ephesian 2:20 & Revelation 21:14)but the rest of the called out ones, chosen and faithful-w/c is also part the Church (referred as the woman-feminine), are also “Living Stones” being added to the foundation (1 Peter 2:4)…but who is the “PETRA”-this ROCK or the ROCK?

THE ROCK -the Main Foundation(the Beginning)- and also the Capstone (the Zenith or the end) is none other than JESUS CHRIST!

“For none one can lay any foundation other than the one which is already laid, which is JESUS CHRIST!”-1 Corinthian 3:11. Jesus is precious to us who believe (1 Peter 2:7) for He is the author & the finisher of our Faith (Hebrew 12:2).

The Rock therefore or this “MASS ROCK” -”the first fruits” could not be prevented by the Gates of the Grave…for God will resurrect them at the Last Trumpet-the 7th Trumpet where the 1st Resurrection will occur!

And today even us we fellowship here through “WORDS” without even seeing each face-w/o seeing the temporary tabernacles where each of us is house..we are breaking bread and supping with our Lord and our Father (Revelation 3:20)…we are breaking the body of Christ and drinking of His blood-even His Word the Bible (Matthew 4:4).

By TIUCHE (wrote 2756 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 6/26/2011 03:11 am

Craig (post #7)

“no way.., does it seem to resemble what goes on today in the name of “church”.”

Your observation is right on the mark and this is exactly how it has been prophesied. I don’t know your view of Rev. chapters 2 and 3, but the letters to the seven churches begin with Ephesus “losing their first love” and successively degenerating to Laodecia with Jesus “outside” of the church and knocking trying to get in!

If this is not a classic picture of backsliding from fellowship I don’t know what is. The letters to the 7 churches are directed at far more than just the churches in John’s day. They are a snapshot of the entire church age beginning where the book of Acts leaves off and ending with the pathetic picture of Laodecia just prior to the Rapture/Resurrection at the end of the Age.

Your observation of the coldness and powerlessness of the evangelical church in our time is sadly destined to get far worse. The Spirit is calling for repentance and many with “ears to hear” are beginning to heed that call; but in general, the visible church will continue in its pride and self-confidence all the while turning a deaf ear to the voice and knocking of Jesus.

By Scott Dale (wrote 496 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 6/26/2011 00:18 am

Ecclesia is the Greek word for “called out”. Kriah is the Hebrew word for “calling”. Our Savior, the Messiah had a following of disciples as did other Jewish rabbis of his time. This following developed over time into what is commonly known as a “shul”. Our understanding of such a Hebrew term would translate into “table fellowship” or “they continued” who continued? The early primitive believers as Acts 2:46 commends, continuing, “daily WITH ONE ACCORD in the Temple, AND BREAKING BREAD FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE (they) did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” This is the simple “fellowship” which our Savior established and in no way, shape, or form, does it seem to resemble what goes on today in the name of “church”. Far from it!

By Craig Christensen (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 6/25/2011 22:32 pm

“The gates of hell shall not prevail against it (the Church)”

The gateway to hell is death. Jesus is saying that even DEATH will not prevail against his church. In other words, Jesus was giving us a not so subtle promise of the Resurrection/Rapture at the end of the age when death can no longer hold the bodies of his glorious ones! (1 Cor 15).

By Scott Dale (wrote 496 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/7/2011 04:43 am

Jesus Christ made a statement of fact to Peter. On this Rock I will build my Church. Peter’s name in the Greek was Petros. Jesus used a play on words with Peter’s name. He told Peter that on this Rock, that is, on this petra, He will build His Church. Jesus was telling Peter that He would build His Church with Himself as the foundation, not Peter.

By Roland G (wrote 1414 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 3/6/2011 03:56 am

Prior to this verse, Jesus asks Peter “whom say ye that I am” to which Peter replied “Thou art the Christ…” Jesus then says in verse 17 that Peter came to this realization because it was revealed unto him by God. Then comes this verse, (which cleverly uses word play with the name Peter) to say that upon this principle (the one of God revealing things to mankind) this rock of a principle, I will build my church.

In other words Christ’s church is built on revelation from God to man.

By Graham (wrote 14 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 8/13/2010 22:12 pm

some believe the church was built upon Peter but Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against the rock upon which it was built. The gates of hell did prevail against Peter when he denied Christ with cursing and swearing and had to repent.

By john (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 11/30/2009 10:07 am

Let’s go back to Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Kefas, and upon this Kefas I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against my church.

By David40 (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 11/28/2009 11:14 am

Peter(Petros)= a small rock(John 1:42).—see my commentary on v16….
Rock(Petra)= a large or massive stone
The Church will be built upon the revelation of Peter.In other words,Christ is the foundation of the Church.(I Cor.3:11;Eph.2:20)
Church=”ecclesia” -”Called out”-meaning “assembly.” The Church is the organized community of believers who accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour & Lord.The word “Church”is found only twice in the Gospels.(Matthew
16:18;18:17).The Gospel of Matthew is the link between the Nation of Israel of the Old Testament & the Church of the New Testament.The Church is built by Christ.
“My Church”-The Church belongs to Christ.”..the Church of God which he purchased with His own blood”Acts 20:28. Jesus Christ gave Himself for the church.Eph.5:25
“the gates of hell”-death
Luke10:19″Behold,I give you the authority to trample on serpents & scorpions and over all the power of enemy and nothing by any means hurt you.”
Is.27:1,2.In that day,sing to her,”A vineyard of red vine!I,the Lord,keep it, I water it every moment;Lest any hurt it,I keep it night & day.” The vineyard is the Church.God protects the church from the attacks of satan.The forces of evil will not overcome the Church.
“You are of God,little children,and have overcome them,He is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”I John 4:4

By Alexander (wrote 499 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 8/3/2008 13:13 pm