Michael Brooks
The interpretation of Matthew 16:18, where Jesus says, You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, has been a subject of debate among Christians. Some Catholics assert that Peter is the rock upon which Jesus's church will be built, symbolising the authority of Christ over the kingdom of heaven on earth. However, others argue that Jesus himself is the rock, as Scripture refers to him as such in several passages. While the distinction between petros (small stone) and petra (large rock) in Greek has been used to support the latter interpretation, some refute this by noting that in the dialect of Koine Greek, in which the New Testament was written, both words simply meant rock.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Interpretation of Matthew 16:18 | Jesus is the rock, Peter is the rock, or both are the rock |
| Catholic belief | Peter is the rock |
| Protestant belief | Jesus is the rock |
| Greek translation | "Petros" and "Petra" are synonyms, both meaning rock |
| Peter's role | "Prime minister" or "chief steward" under the "King of Kings" |
| Peter's successors | "Pope" or "papa" |
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What You'll Learn
Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom
The interpretation of Matthew 16:18–19, where Jesus says, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church", is a contentious issue. Many Catholics believe that Jesus is giving Peter a threefold blessing, including the gift of the keys to the kingdom of heaven. This symbolises the authority of Christ—the authority of heaven—over the kingdom of heaven on earth, which is the Church.
The interpretation hinges on the distinction between the Greek words "petros" and "petra". In the passage, Jesus says to Peter (in Greek): "You are Petros, and on this petra I will build my Church". "Petros" means a small stone or pebble, while "petra" means a large rock or boulder. The argument is that Jesus is drawing a distinction between Peter (a small stone) and himself (a large rock). This interpretation is supported by the fact that in first-century Greek, "petros" and "petra" were synonyms, and the distinction in meaning had disappeared from the language by the time Matthew's Gospel was written.
However, some argue that the rock refers not to Peter, but to Peter's confession of faith. According to this view, Jesus is saying that he will build his Church not upon Peter, but upon Peter's faith. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the New Testament does not describe Peter as being supreme over the other apostles or as the all-authoritative leader of the early church.
Regardless of the interpretation, it is clear that Peter alone was given the keys to the kingdom of heaven. This is significant because it gave Peter the authority to open up the opportunity for Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles to receive God's spirit and enter the heavenly kingdom.
In conclusion, while the exact nature of Peter's role as the rock or holder of the keys to the kingdom may be debated, his importance in the foundation of the Church is undeniable.
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Peter's name means rock
The name Peter is derived from the Greek word "Petros", which means "stone". In the New Testament, the name is used for the apostle Simon, who was given the name by Jesus. Simon Peter was the most prominent of Jesus' apostles and is often considered the first pope. The name change is recorded in Matthew 16:18: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church".
The use of "Petros" instead of "Petra" (which means rock in Greek) is significant. Some argue that Jesus was distinguishing between Peter, a small stone, and himself, a large rock or boulder, upon which the church would be built. However, others refute this, claiming that in Koine Greek, the dialect of the New Testament, the two words were synonyms and had the same meaning - "rock". The distinction in meaning between "Petros" and "Petra" was not present in Koine Greek, and other words like "lithos" and "psephos" existed to refer to smaller stones or pebbles.
The name change from Simon to Peter, or "stone", is thus symbolic of the foundation of the church. Jesus is giving Peter a blessing and bestowing upon him the authority of heaven over the kingdom of heaven on earth, i.e., the Church. Peter is made a father over the household of faith, just as God made Abraham our "father" in the faith. Peter's successors, the popes, are also called "father" or "papa".
While the interpretation of Matthew 16:18 is debated, with some arguing that Jesus, not Peter, is the rock upon which the church is built, it is clear that Peter's name, derived from "Petros", meaning "stone", is intimately connected to this passage and the foundation of the Church.
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Jesus is also referred to as a rock
The interpretation of Matthew 16:18, where Jesus says, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church", is a highly debated topic. Many Catholics believe that Jesus is referring to St. Peter as "the rock" upon which the Church is built. This interpretation stems from the Greek translation of the text, where "petros" (meaning a small stone or pebble) is used for Simon's new name, and "petra" (meaning a large, massive stone) is used for "rock" in the phrase "upon this rock". The distinction between these two words in ancient Greek poetry supports the argument that Peter, as a small stone, was chosen by Jesus as the foundation of the Church.
However, others argue that Jesus is referring to Himself as the rock, or that Peter's confession of faith is the rock upon which the Church is built. This interpretation is based on the belief that both Jesus and Peter can be considered rocks, with Jesus being the cornerstone or chief cornerstone and Peter being a secondary stone or co-worker. In 1 Corinthians 10:4, Jesus is referred to as "the Rock", and in Ephesians 2:20, He is called "the foundation". Additionally, in 1 Peter 2:4-8, Jesus is described as "a living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious".
Furthermore, some argue that the rock refers to Peter's faith or confession of Christ, as seen in Matthew 16:16, where Peter declares Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. This interpretation suggests that Jesus built His Church not upon Peter himself, but upon Peter's faith or confession.
While the specific interpretation of Matthew 16:18 is debated, it is clear that Jesus is central to the establishment of the Church, whether as the cornerstone or as the one who bestows authority upon Peter.
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Peter is not the founder of the Catholic Church
While many believe that Peter is the rock upon which the Catholic Church was built, there are several arguments against this interpretation. Firstly, according to Scripture, Peter was never described as being supreme over the other apostles, nor is there any record of him being in Rome or being the all-authoritative leader of the early church. The New Testament does not describe Peter as the founder of the Catholic Church, and the teachings of the Church do not align with what Peter taught.
Secondly, the interpretation of the Greek words used in Matthew 16:18 is significant. The verse reads, "You are Peter (Petros), and on this rock (petra) I will build my Church." While some argue that "petros" and "petra" refer to two different sizes of rocks, with "petros" being a small, insignificant stone, this distinction has been disputed. In the dialect of Greek in which the New Testament was written (Koine Greek), both "petros" and "petra" simply meant "rock." If Jesus had intended to refer to Peter as a small stone, he would have used the word "lithos." Therefore, it could be argued that Jesus was not referring to Peter as the foundation of the Church but rather to himself or to Peter's faith.
Thirdly, it is important to consider the broader context of Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 10:4, the Rock that followed the Israelites is identified as Christ. Additionally, Ephesians 2:20 states that the Church is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone." This suggests that while Peter may be considered a rock or building block of the Church, he is not the foundation or the sole authority.
Finally, the idea that Peter is the rock upon which the Catholic Church is built implies a passing down of institutional authority and a hierarchical structure that is not supported by Scripture. The Bible does not establish an unbroken line of succession from Peter to the Pope or Catholic Church leaders. Instead, it emphasizes that all believers are stones or rocks building upon the foundation of Christ, who is the Cornerstone.
In conclusion, while Peter may be considered a rock or building block in the broader context of the Church, the interpretation that he is the foundation upon whom the Catholic Church was built is not supported by Scripture or the teachings of the early Church.
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Peter is a rock, but not the Rock
The interpretation of Matthew 16:18, where Jesus says, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church", has been a subject of debate among Christians. While some argue that Peter is the rock upon which the Church is built, others contend that Jesus is referring to Himself or Peter's confession of faith. This discussion centres around the Greek words "petros" and "petra", which have been translated differently over time.
The argument that Peter is not the rock, but rather a rock, centres around several key points. Firstly, it is important to note that Scripture does not record Peter being in Rome or describe him as having supreme authority over the other apostles. The New Testament does not portray Peter as the all-authoritative leader of the early church, and the teachings of Peter do not form the basis of the Catholic Church. If Peter were the founder of the Roman Catholic Church, one would expect his teachings to be reflected in its doctrines.
Secondly, the distinction between "petros" and "petra" in the original Greek text of Matthew 16:18 is often used to support the idea that Peter is not the sole foundation of the Church. Petros refers to a small stone or pebble, which could be interpreted as representing Peter, while petra signifies a large, massive rock, which could be seen as symbolic of Jesus or the faith that He inspires. This interpretation suggests that Jesus built His Church not solely on Peter but on Himself or the faith that Peter confessed.
Additionally, it is worth considering that Jesus is referred to as "the Rock" in other parts of Scripture, such as 1 Corinthians 10:4 and 1 Peter 2:4,6-8. This indicates that Jesus is the cornerstone or foundation upon which the Church is built, with Peter and the other apostles serving as secondary stones or building blocks. The idea that Jesus is the only foundation is further supported by Ephesians 2:20, which mentions Jesus Christ as the "chief cornerstone".
Moreover, the argument that Peter is a rock, but not the Rock, takes into account the cultural and linguistic context of the time. The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, a dialect in which petros and petra were synonymous, both simply meaning "rock". If Jesus had intended to distinguish between Peter and the rock upon which the Church would be built, He could have used the word "lithos", which means a small stone.
In conclusion, while Peter is undoubtedly important in the establishment of the Church, the weight of evidence suggests that he is a rock, not the Rock. Jesus, as the Son of God and the cornerstone, holds the ultimate authority, and the Church is built upon His teachings and the faith that He inspires, with Peter and the other apostles serving as foundational supporters.
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Frequently asked questions
The rock in the Bible refers to Jesus Christ, who is also referred to as the cornerstone.
Yes, Peter is also referred to as the rock in the Bible. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church." The word "Peter" comes from the Greek "Petros", which means a small stone or pebble.
No, the foundation of the Catholic Church is Jesus Christ, who is the cornerstone. Peter is one of the building blocks or rocks that make up the Church, along with the other apostles.
Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, symbolizing his authority. Peter was made the chief steward or prime minister under Jesus, the King of Kings.
