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.