Dear Christians: Who is the Rock? Some say that Peter is while others say that Jesus Christ is!?

Question

Catholics usually give me this verse in proof that the apostle Peter is the "rock" (head) of the church and all succeeding popes:

Matthew 16:18 states, "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."

But others say that Jesus Christ is the Rock and can be the ONLY Rock (foundation) upon which the church is builded. He (Christ) is the foundation that no man could lay. 1 Corinthians 10:4 states:

"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

(The capital "R" of Rock is in the KJV Bible text-I didn't add it).

The "spiritual drink" mentioned in this verse is the Gospel and the Bible tells us that Christ is the Rock. Then I went to Deuternonomy 32. Here there is a distinction between "rock" and "Rock." The lower case rock is in reference to false gods while Rock refers to Jehovah God!

Answer 1

There are 2 Greek words in Matthew 16:18 to be considered. "Peter" comes from "petros" which is a masculine word that means a small stone. "Rock" in this verse comes from a FEMININE word ("petra") that means a large bedrock such as would be used as a foundation.

Jesus was not calling Peter by a feminine name by saying he was the "rock" on which the church was to be established. Instead the foundation rock (as opposed to a small stone) was the fact that Jesus is the son of God as stated in Peter's confession. Jesus is the Rock, and the chief cornerstone.

Answer 2

Read the part of the verse just before Jesus tells Peter that he will build his church on this rock. He discusses how Peter's testimony of Christ's divinity came from revelation from God. I think that particular verse is about.

But I do know that Peter was called to be the leader of the early Christian church - I just think that the line of priesthood authority he had was actually broken shortly after the original apostle's death.

Still, even when Peter was the leader, he was being led by revelation from Christ, so if I had to choose between the two, I would say Jesus Christ is the rock.

Answer 3

First off, Jesus did NOT say that Peter was the rock that the church would be built on. The WHOLE passage is...

Mat 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is?
Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 16:18 And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

The key to these verses is Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God is the ROCK (foundation) that the church was built on. Peter just happened to be bold enough to actually say it.

Answer 4

Jesus is the rock, however the call Peter does propose rock. in actuality, each and all of the heavenly class are called "residing stones" or rocks with Jesus via fact the cornerstone. Peter grow to be never singled out. Jesus is the inspiration of the congregation. Debbie

Answer 5

The rock that Jesus was referring to was FAITH, not Peter.

Faith in Jesus as the Son of God is the rock that the Church is built upon.

Jesus suffered and died to ransom mankind. Peter taught salvation only through believing on the risen Son of God. He was a teacher, an apostle, an evangelist, nothing more. You cannot find in the Bible that Peter called himself a Catholic or a pope. That is Catholic doctrine.

Answer 6

Peters name in Greek which Christ changed it to is Petra which means rock his name was Simon and during that time he said he would build the church upon this rock my opinion it was Peters strength and faith that he was talking about

now there is also a parable about the stone the builders rejected and Christ is that stone he was rejected and crucified but when on the third day he rose again to become the chief corner stone
i feel that is where most get that Christ is the rock and he is due to him being rejected and crucified and arising he is the rock of our salvation and he is our chief corner stone of the church and the body of Christ

Answer 7

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/myhopeis.htm
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But only lean on Jesus' name.
On CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I stand, all other ground is sinking sand,
all other ground is *bass solo* sinking saaaaaaaand.
(Mote/Bradbury)

Jesus called Peter a rock once, but he also called him Satan once, too. Peter had bedrock faith that Jesus loved him, no matter how badly he fell short. Peter kept on messing up: the cock will crow thrice incident, numerous petty bickerings with other disciples, getting chewed out by Paul for refusing to eat with Gentile Christians. Peter kept bouncing back, though, picking himself up after he sinned, and kept on going on with his Lord. Peter is a great role model for all those who follow Jesus Christ, the Rock of our Salvation.

Answer 8

Hello! The "rock" is metaphorical for something that is strong and unmoving. The term was used to describe both Jesus and Peter.

When Jesus called Peter a rock, he was saying that he was strong and unmoving, and would play a huge part in developing the church.

Answer 9

The Rock represents "The Word of God" and "Jesus".

Jesus laid the foundation out to Peter--Does that mean he is the "head of the church?"
No; Jesus is the head of the church(Eph.5:23).

So in MATT.16:18; rock means the foundation = Word of God.
MATT.4:4; LUKE 4:4 = "to live by every word"
1TIM.6:19 = "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."
1COR.3:10-11 = "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed therefore how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Foundation of Rock = Jesus (1COR.10:4)
EPH.2:20 "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."
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About Peter (different subject pertaining to question):

"The letters inscribed in the Pope's miter are these: VICARIUS FILII DEI, which is the Latin for 'VICAR OF THE SON OF GOD.'
Catholics hold that the church, which is visible society, must have a visible head. Christ before His ascension into heaven, appointed St. Peter to act as His represenative...Hence to the Bishop of Rome, as head of the church, was given the title 'VICAR OF CHRIST'."
Our Sunday Visitor, (Catholic Weekly) "Bureau of Information," Huntington, Ind., April 18, 1915.

The answer to VICARIUS FILII DEI =
http://community.webshots.com/photo/370320470/2696902220049373547TJJKnz
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As for the little case rock; you could be right or you could be wrong---you really have to ask God about that in Deut.32.
But it does talk about the rock in Luke 8:13 which refers to 2Pet.2:18-22.

Answer 10

You answered your own question...the words translated "rock" and "Peter" in that passage are different. If Jesus were bestowing an office of sorts upon Peter, the words would have been the same, and He would have spoken differently.

That's a tough passage...kudos for taking it on!