What does Matthew 16:18 mean?
Explanation
This verse is part of a dialogue between Jesus and His disciples, particularly with Peter.
The literal meaning refers to Jesus' acknowledgment of Peter's faith and confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
Upon this declaration of faith, Jesus states He will build His church.
The term "Peter" in Greek is "Petros," meaning a small stone or rock, while "rock" in the same verse is "petra," meaning a large rock or bedrock.
This leads to various interpretations about whether Jesus builds His church upon Peter himself, his confession, or something else entirely.
The "gates of hell" (or Hades) signifies the powers of death and evil, which will not overcome the church.
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Historical Context
This verse is a crucial moment in the Gospel of Matthew, which was written primarily for a Jewish audience in the first century AD.
The statement takes place in Caesarea Philippi, a city located in a predominantly gentile area known for its worship of various gods, including the Greek god Pan.
It served as a backdrop for Jesus to establish His church's foundation, distinguishing it from the pagan practices surrounding them.
Theological Insights
Protestant theologians often interpret the "rock" as Peter's confession of faith or Jesus Himself, viewing the church as built on the foundation of Jesus Christ and the proclamation of His Lordship.
On the other hand, the Catholic Church interprets this verse as the institution of the papacy, with Peter as the first Pope and the "rock" upon which Jesus built His church, leading to the succession of papal authority.
The Orthodox Church shares a similar view to Catholicism in recognizing Peter's role but emphasizes the entirety of the apostolic faith and the church community as the foundation.
Practical Applications
The verse inspires Christians to consider the strength of their faith and the community of the church.
It reminds believers that their faith should withstand the challenges posed by evil and that the community should support one another, following the example and teachings of Jesus.
The concept of the church as a united force against evil is a call for unity and resilience among Christians.
Cross-References
- Ephesians 2:20: "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"
- 1 Peter 2:5: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
Language Study
- "Peter" (Petros): A piece of rock, a small stone.
- "Rock" (Petra): A mass of rock, a large rock, bedrock.
- "Build" (oikodomeo): To construct or build up.
- "Church" (ekklesia): Assembly, congregation, the called-out ones, often referring to the community of believers in Christ.
- "Gates of hell" (pulai hadou): Representing death and the powers of the underworld.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
In comparison to other ancient religions, the concept of establishing a divine institution on earth could be seen in various myths where gods grant authority or create temples on earth – for example, the epic of the Mesopotamian king Gilgamesh seeking to establish his legacy.
However, Christianity uniquely identifies the foundation of this divine institution not in a physical temple but in a community of believers.
Scientific Perspectives
When interpreting religious texts, scientific perspectives typically do not apply directly.
However, the metaphor of a structure withstands natural forces such as hell's gates (considered as evil forces) could be analogized with the resilience of well-engineered structures against physical forces in science and architecture.
Commentaries
- The Pulpit Commentary observes that the "rock" signifies the truth Peter confessed.
It also points out that the verse does not indicate a transfer of divine attributes to Peter but does recognize his role in the early church.
- Matthew Henry's Commentary suggests that the church is built on Christ and that he is the foundation; however, he also acknowledges the role of Peter and the apostles as the first layers above the cornerstone.
- John Calvin denies the interpretation of the "rock" as Peter's person and instead sees it as the confession of faith that Peter declared, maintaining that Christ alone is the foundation of the church.