Matthew 16:17-18: Upon This Rock

“And I tell you, you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church…” Jesus in Matthew 16:17

“We believe all religions lead to heaven.” (Sign outside of Ivyland New Church, which claims to be a “new Christianity” in Ivyland, Pennsylvania)

In Caesarea Philippi in the shadow of temples to false gods, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (v. 15).  To which Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” (v. 16).    And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah,”  (v. 17).    

I find Jesus’ initial 5 words of response to Peter fascinating.   First, Jesus invokes the same wording that he used with the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:1-12;  “Blessed are you.”   Second, Jesus’ response to Peter gives insight into what Jesus’ believed about himself.   By referring to Jesus as “the Son of the living God” (v. 16), Peter is declaring Christ to be divine (see previous devotion on 16:15-16).    To this Jesus responds with affirmation and even blessing, not something a mere prophet or good teacher would do.

Jesus also calls Peter by his complete Jewish name, Simon Bar-Jonah (son of John) which parallels Peter’s reference of Jesus as the “Son of God.”  Jesus continues, “For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven,” (v. 17).  The Pharisees and Sadducees demanded a sign (see v. 1). But no sign was needed for Peter, because God the Father had revealed to Peter who Christ is. 

Jesus then says, “And I tell you, you are Peter,” (v. 18).  He mirrors Peter’s reply, “You are the Christ” (v. 16) and then proceeds to use a play-on-words.  In the original Greek, two very similar words are used:  Peter is “petros” while rock is “petras.”  (i.e., “you are Petros and on this petras I will build my church”). 

There is a great debate, primarily between Roman Catholic and Protestant theologians, over precisely what rock Jesus was referring to when he said, “on this rock I will build my church,” (v. 18).  Catholic scholars insist that Jesus is referring to Peter and they point to this verse to support their claim that Peter was the first Pope.  The traditional Protestant position is that Jesus was referring not to Peter but to Peter’s answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (v. 16).   

But many prominent Protestant theologians say we have moved too far from the intent of the text when we deny that Jesus was referring directly to Peter when he said, “on this rock I will build my church.”   As mentioned in the previous devotion, Peter is the primary spokesman and leader of the Twelve.  However, these same theologians point out this passage cannot defend the office and the powers of the Pope.  As D.A. Carson says in his commentary on these verses, “The text says nothing about Peter’s successors, infallibility or exclusive authority.”  Additionally Ephesians 2:20 says that the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.”

However, Catholic and Protestant theologies agree that it is upon the Lordship of Jesus Christ that his church, the Christian faith, is built.    Christ sees the church as his own body. He loves his church, gave himself up for his church, and will “present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish,” (Ephesians 5:27).

Any church that does not point to Jesus and say, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” is not worthy to be called his church or his bride.   Either reform or flee such a church.  For all of history will culminate with the wedding feast of Christ and his church, his Bride (see Revelation 19:7-9).   Pretenders and enemies will not be allowed into the feast.   I hope to see you at this wedding feast and together we will worship the Bridegroom and declare, “He is our rock, our cornerstone, our firm foundation!”   Amen!