Is scripture enough proof that Peter is the rock?

Question

St. Matthew 16:13-19
And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

Note that this is the passage in which Simon's name is changed to Petros (in Greek) or Cephas (in Aramaic; cf. St. John 1:42). Cephas means rock; there is no dispute about that. It is only a matter of common sense that Petros also means rock, even though the literal word is petra, which is a feminine noun, and it is really not difficult to imagine why Christ the Lord did not wish to give Simon a feminine name! Secondly, if you look at the above context, if "upon this rock" does not refer to St. Peter, then why did Christ change Simon's name right then and there? What was the purpose of adding "Thou art Peter"? Could Christ not have changed that name at another occasion? Why would the Lord effectively say, "Blessed are you, Simon. You are now to be called Peter, and upon I now build my Church. Here are the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven!" ??

Thirdly, our English language obscures the pun being made in this verse, but it's clear in some of the other languages of the world (I think we need to remind ourselves every now and then that English isn't the only language in the world). So, here's a little game now for the readers: read the verse (St. Matthew 16:18) in the following different languages and see if you can pick out which two words in each of these examples are the same (or very close to being the same).

Answer 1

Free2getready, the answer to your question, as evidenced by most of the responses you received, is "apparently not."

Your exegesis is excellent. You provide powerful interpretive evidence for the correct reading, viz., that Jesus appointed Simon, the leader of his disciples, to be the first leader of his human organization, the Church.

This is the way all original Christians understood Jesus' teaching. For example, Tertullian wrote, "For though you think that heaven is still shut up, remember that the Lord left the keys of it to Peter here, and through him to the Church, which keys everyone will carry with him if he has been questioned and made a confession [of faith]" (Antidote Against the Scorpion 10 [A.D. 211]).

Thanks for the fine interpretation and, sadly, for the practical demonstration that Protestant dogma is generally impervious to good biblical scholarship. As most answerers showed, they impose extra-biblical doctrines against the clear meaning of Matt 16:13-19.

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 2

The word "rock" has special significance. On one hand, to be called "rock" was a Semitic expression designating the solid foundation upon which a community would be built. For instance, Abraham was considered "rock" because he was the father of the Jewish people (and we, too, refer to him as our father in faith) and the one with whom the covenant was first made.

On the other hand, no one except God was called specifically "rock," nor was it ever used as a proper name except for God. To give the name "rock" to Peter indicates that Our Lord entrusted to him a special authority. Some anti-papal parties try to play linguistic games with the original Greek Gospel text where the masculine gender word "petros," meaning a small moveable rock, refers to Peter, while the feminine gender word "petra," meaning a massive immovable rock, refers to the foundation of the Church. However, in the Aramaic language, which is what Jesus spoke and which is believed to be the original language of Matthew’s Gospel, the word "kepha," meaning rock, would be used in both places without gender distinction or difference in meaning. The gender problem arises when translating from Aramaic to Greek and using the proper form to modify the masculine word "Peter" or feminine word "Church."

Second, Jesus says, "I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." In the Old Testament, the "number two" person in the kingdom literally held the keys. In Isaiah 22:19-22 we find a reference to Eliakim, the master of the palace of King Hezekiah (2 Kgs 18:17) and keeper of the keys. As a sign of his position, the one who held the keys represented the king, acted with his authority, and had to act in accord with the king’s mind. Therefore, Peter and each of his successors represent Our Lord on this earth as His vicar and lead the faithful flock of the Church to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Answer 3

In plain english, we have many words for rock: gravel, pebble, boulder, stone, cornerstone, you can even order "clean" rock from a quarry to be used as fill on construction sites.
What Jesus was doing was using a pun, and the english Bible translaters lost it; Mat 16:18 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.

Some of the more modern translations such as Good News Bible, God's Word,New World, International Standard, and Contemporary English do this verse a little different, but I don't like them either.
Perhaps it would be pertinent to state that, as Christians, we are COMMANDED to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations....believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and Thou shalt be saved. The Bible doesn't say anywhere that I know of that we all have to agree on exactly what was said in Matthew 16:18 in order to gain admission into Heaven.
A more correct english translation of what took place would be to say to Peter "you are a pebble, and upon this cornerstone (in reference to HIMSELF) will I build my church...."
I have Catholic friends whom I dearly love, but we don't discuss this verse much....I know it is a point of contention with Catholic teachings.
I'm not going into detail here, only answer this question, but the Catholic church is a christian church full of heretical teachings. Just so anyone knows where I'm coming from, I was raised Lutheran, and in 6th grade cathecism class we were taught Luther's 95 theses. Let the reader who will, understand. Martin Luther was a key figure in the Reformation.
In His Service,
John the Baptist

Answer 4

The answer you get to this one will be in accordance with the religion or denomination the person answering belongs to. Peter is not the rock!! Peter is a pebble; and a pebble is not a rock. The ROCK is Jesus Christ!!! Twist and spin the Scriptures as one may or wish to fit their preconceived notions one has been schooled or brought up in to believe, but reading the Scripture in context it clearly indicates Christ Jesus is the ROCK>>>>>>>>>>

Answer 5

In Aramaic, Jesus said "You are Peter (Kephas) and upon this rock (kephas) I will build my Church." Why do you think it is a pun?

Jesus built his Church on people, not a declaration. Following through on the passage we see that Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom to St. Peter, not to his declaration. The Reformer, Martin Luther, said this:

Why are you searching heavenward in search of my keys? Do you not understand, Jesus said, 'I gave them to Peter. They are indeed the keys of heaven, but they are not found in heaven for I left them on earth. Peter's mouth is my mouth, his tongue is my key case, his keys are my keys. They are an office. They are a power, a command given by God through Christ to all of Christendom for the retaining and remitting of the sins of men. (Martin Luther 1530 - after he left the Church)

But look at the grammar! What does "this" refer to? It always refers to the closest preceeding noun, which is "Peter", not his declaration. That was two verses earlier.

And there is more. When Jesus says "whatever you bind" to Peter in Mat 16:18, the Greek text used for "you" is singular. In Mat 18:18 the Greek text, the word for "you" in "whatever you bind" is plural. Catholics think these two juxtaposed but similar phrases lay out the early structure of the Church with Peter as the Pope and the other apostles as priests.

Furthermore, the other apostles clearly made Peter their leader and treated him as such. Here's more Scripture to prove it.

* Next to Jesus, Peter is mentioned more than any other apostle in Scripture (152 times).

* He stood up and spoke on behalf of the apostles (Mt 19:27, Acts 1:15, 2:14)

* He stood up at the birth of the Church at the Pentecost to lead them. (Acts 2:14)

* The disciples were referred to as Peter and the Apostles. (Acts 2:37, 5:29)

* Peter was given the authority to forgive sins before the rest of the apostles. (Mat 16:18)

* He was always named first when the apostles were listed (Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:13) -- sometimes it was only "Peter and those who were with him" (Luke 9:32);

* John ran ahead of Peter to the tomb but upon arriving he stopped and did not go in. He waited and let Peter go in. (Jn 20:4)

* Jesus told Peter to "feed my lambs...tend my sheep... feed my sheep." (Jn 21:15-17) The difference between a sheep and a lamb might be significant. A lamb is a baby, a sheep is an adult. Perhaps Jesus was asking Peter to take care of both the general people (the lambs), and the apostles (sheep). Regardless of that interpretation of sheep and lambs, it is clear Jesus is asking Peter to feed and tend his flock. That is what a shepherd does. Jesus asked Peter to shepherd his Church on earth, not the whole group.

Answer 6

Jesus never made Peter the head of the church, I can prove this, however at this time I will explain, foundation, rock and keys..

I am not going to discuss all the differences in interpretations of words and meanings and changes in the bible by men through out thousands of years..

Jesus has always been my guide, so I will go on His definition of rock.


JESUS’ DEFINITION OF FOUDATION AND USE FOR ROCK

Lk.6: 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

47 Whosoever cometh to me,
and heareth my sayings,
and doeth them,
I will shew you to whom he is like:

48 He is like a man which built an house,
and digged deep,
and laid the [ FOUNDATION on a rock: ]
and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it:
for it was [ founded upon a rock. ]

Jesus' teachings are the foundation ... and it is buit on a rock.


TO THOSE WHO DO NOT: go to Jesus,
hear His words,
and then do them

Lk.6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that
[ without a FOUNDATION ] built an house upon the earth;

against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

REGARDING KEYS

Now Jesus gives spiritual keys to Peter..
The keys are spirit, because heavens gates are never closed.

You attain the right to the keys while here on earth.

Rev.21:25 And the GATES of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

Rev22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the GATES into the city.


Mt. 16:18 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.

Mt.16:19 And I will give unto thee the KEYS of the kingdom
of heaven:

JESUS GIVES THE ETERNAL LAW OF KARMA
and whatsoever thou shalt:

bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:
and
whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

IF YOU PUT PEOPLE OR THINGS IN BONDAGE ON EARTH,
YOU SHALL IN HEAVEN..

WHAT EVIL YOU LOOSE IN HEAVEN, YOU SHALL IN HEAVEN..

So to do and practice truth for good, look for the good of others and things.

If you do not want this here on earth you will not in heaven..

Mt.6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy WILL BE DONE in earth, as it is in heaven. Lk.11:2


There will soon be a new heaven and earth

Jesus never made Peter the head of the church.. I can prove this but it is under a different study… it is more important that the above is in regard to our eternal tabernacles

Answer 7

Christ was not referring to Peter as the rock. The rock is that Jesus is the son of God. That is the rock upon which the church is founded, Peter correctly stated that fact. Jesus simply acknowledged he was correct.

Answer 8

The same way that Peter knew who Jesus was is the Rock
upon which Christ built His church & the gates of hell will
not prevail against it; Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona::::
FOR FLESH AND BLOOD HATH NOT REVEALED IT
UNTO THEE, BUT MY FATHER". Paul was taught by the
same Rock; 1 Gal 1:11-12, "...the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of
man, NEITHER WAS I TAUGHT IT, BUT BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST". This is the Rock upon
which Christ built His church which the gates of hell can not
prevail against; the Rock of Spiritual Revelaltion. 1 Cor 10:4,
"for they drank of that SPIRITUAL ROCK that followed
them::: and that Rock was Christ".

Jesus looked at Peter and said, "get behind me satan", Peter
denied the Lord 3 times because previously he had contradicted Jesus. No, this man succumbed to satan.
The Catholic church says they are built upon dead men's
bones, and I must agree. Outwardly beautiful, but inwardly
are dead men's bones is a description by Jesus for such.

Deuteronomy 32:31, "For their rock is not as our Rock,
even our enemies themselves being judges". Yes, we are
built upon two very different rocks and they agree.

The keys of the kingdom of heaven is the revelations through
the Holy Spirit. This opens our spiritual eyes and ears to
know the mysteries of this kingdom. John 14:26, Jesus says
"But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in my name, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS".

Answer 9

this piece of scripture and other areas of scripture show the primacy of peter, if one notices peter is always named first, in councils peters word was the authority that the others held to and in scripture one may notice that when the lord changes the name of someone that person is always of high significance. secondly outside of scripture we need to remember that the bible came from the church not the other way around, sacred tradition and scripture reinforce the primacy of peter.
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/
http://www.catholiceducation.org/

Answer 10

The rock, in reference to "upon this rock" was Peter's confession not Peter himself. You must look at the word used and how it was used to understand this.

Catholics point to Matthew 16 for proof that Jesus founded the church on Peter himself. Jesus said to Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:17-19).

Catholics argue that Jesus in this passage said He would build his church upon Peter and gave the keys (authority) of the kingdom uniquely to him. The original Greek, however, distinguishes Peter from the rock. While Jesus gives Simon the name “Peter” (petros, masculine), He speaks of the rock (petra) with a feminine word. Petros refers to a stone that a man might carry, whereas petra refers to a huge rock, cliff or ledge. The distinctions between masculine and feminine and between large and small are obvious.

Catholic scholars say Jesus did not speak Greek here but Aramaic, and the word “Cephas” is the same whether masculine or feminine. The Scriptures we have, however, are only in Greek; and Matthew, an apostle and eyewitness to this event, made the distinction. Jesus had already noted that wise men build upon the rock (petra) of His word (Matt. 7:24-27). Jesus built His church on Peter’s revealed confession that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God, not on Peter.

If Peter himself were the rock upon which the church is founded, he did not know it. He pointed to Jesus as the chief corner stone; there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:10-12). Peter said, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” Jesus was “A stone of stumbling, and a rock (petra) of offense” (1 Pet. 2: 4-8).

Peter introduced himself as “an apostle of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:1) but never the “prince of the apostles” or the rock on which the church is built. In 1 Pet. 5:1 Peter says, “I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder.” In 5:4, he speaks of Jesus as the Chief Shepherd. Nowhere does he argue for supremacy, claim to be Christ’s vicar, or exalt himself above his fellow elders.

Paul points to Jesus as the foundation of the church. In Eph. 2:19-22, Paul says of God’s household is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”