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.

MATTHEW 16:18KJV
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Matthew 16:18 (KJV)

What does Matthew 16:18 mean?

Matthew 16:18 records Jesus telling Peter that he is "Peter," and that on "this rock" Jesus will build his church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it. Jesus is making a foundational statement about the future strength and endurance of his community of followers.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to Simon, whom he has just called "Peter" (which means "rock"). This happens after Peter has confessed that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus uses a wordplay with Peter's name and the idea of a rock, saying that his church will be built on this "rock," and that even the power of death ("the gates of hell") will not defeat it.

The Greek behind Matthew 16:18

  • Πέτρος (Petros, "Peter"): This is the Greek name Jesus gives Simon, meaning "rock" or "stone." The wordplay highlights Peter's role in the early church.
  • πέτρα (petra, "rock"): This word means a large rock or bedrock, and is used here to describe the foundation on which Jesus will build his church. The distinction between Πέτρος (Petros) and πέτρα (petra) is often discussed, as one is a name and the other a common noun.
  • ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia, "church"): This Greek word means an assembly or gathering, not a building. Jesus is talking about a community of people.
  • πύλαι ᾅδου (pulai hadou, "gates of hell"): This phrase refers to the power of death or the realm of the dead. In ancient thought, city gates represented strength and defense, so this image suggests that death itself will not overpower Jesus’ community.

Why Matthew 16:18 matters

  • Matthew 16:18 clarifies that Jesus is promising the endurance and victory of his followers, even against death itself, not just giving Peter a new name.
  • The verse connects Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah to the foundation of the church, showing the importance of recognizing who Jesus is.
  • Understanding the Greek words for "church" and "gates of hell" helps avoid the mistake of thinking Jesus is talking about a physical building or a literal gate, rather than a spiritual reality.

Where else these words appear

“shall” Greek G2729 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 23:23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

“gates” Greek G4439 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
  • Luke 7:12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
  • Acts 9:24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

“hell” Greek G86 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
  • Acts 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
  • Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

“rock” Greek G4073 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
  • Mark 15:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
  • Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.