Quick Summary
Matthew 16:13-20 contains a well-known passage where Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is, and then asks them directly who they say he is. Simon Peter responds that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus affirms this and declares that Peter is the rock on which he will build his church. He also gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven and the power to bind and loose. This passage establishes Peter’s important role among the disciples and in the early church.
The Text of Matthew 16:13-20
Here is the full text of Matthew 16:13-20 (ESV):
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Who Do People Say Jesus Is?
Jesus first asks his disciples who people say he is. The disciples respond that some people think Jesus is John the Baptist, who was recently put to death by Herod Antipas. Others think he is Elijah, the great prophet who was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Still others think Jesus is Jeremiah, another Hebrew prophet, or one of the other prophets.
So the crowds following Jesus had various ideas of who he might be. But they recognized that he was an extraordinary teacher and miracle worker in the tradition of Israel’s great prophets of the past. Jesus was more than just an ordinary man.
Who Do You Say I Am?
Jesus then directly asks his closest disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter, as usual the spokesman for the Twelve, answers immediately and decisively: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
“Christ” is the Greek translation of the Hebrew term “Messiah,” meaning “Anointed One.” So Peter is identifying Jesus as the promised deliverer of Israel, the fulfillment of ancient prophecy and expectation. Peter also names Jesus as the very Son of God, indicating his divine nature. This confession goes beyond what others were saying about Jesus.
Peter’s Confession
Peter’s confession shows that he understood Jesus’ true identity and mission. This was no small leap of faith. The Jewish people were expecting a human political and military leader who would help them throw off Roman oppression. But Peter sees that Jesus is far more—the divine Son sent to deliver people spiritually and eternally.
Peter did not come up with this radical idea on his own. Jesus affirms that it was revealed to Peter directly by God the Father. So Peter’s confession reflects divine insight given to him, in addition to what he had observed during his time following Jesus.
You Are Peter
In response to Peter’s confession, Jesus declares his new name:
And I tell you, you are Peter (Greek Petros), and on this rock (Greek petra) I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The name change is significant. “Peter” (Petros in Greek) means “rock” or “stone.” So Jesus is identifying Peter as the rock on which he will build his church. This indicates Peter’s central role in the early church, along with the authority Jesus gives him.
Upon This Rock
By changing Simon’s name to Peter/Rock, Jesus was equating him with being the foundation of the church. However, there has been much debate about what exact “rock” Jesus was referring to:
- Jesus could mean Peter himself is the rock, along with the apostles and prophets (Eph 2:20). As leader, Peter would fulfill a foundational role in the early church.
- The “rock” could refer to Peter’s confession of faith. The church is built on the truth revealed to Peter about Jesus’ identity.
- Some connect “rock” to Jesus himself. Peter is the rock only because of his relationship to Christ.
In any case, the passage clearly establishes Peter’s importance. As the “rock,” he is given the keys of authority and the power of binding and loosing.
The Keys of the Kingdom
Jesus goes on to say to Peter:
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
This gives Peter authority over Christ’s kingdom as the chief steward or prime minister under the king. Keys represent the power to allow entrance and access. Peter is given authority over who may enter God’s kingdom and under what conditions.
The metaphor of binding and loosing represents the power to prohibit or permit different behaviors and practices. Peter has heavenly sanction to establish norms for Christian conduct and community. This suggests a leadership role for him in the early church.
Peter in the Early Church
In fact, Peter does emerge as the spokesman and de facto leader of the apostles after Jesus’ ascension. He is the main preacher in the first half of Acts, performing miracles and taking the gospel to the Gentiles. Peter also plays a decisive role in the Jerusalem council of Acts 15 determining requirements for Gentile believers. So Jesus’ words giving Peter the keys and binding/loosing authority proved prophetic.
Incidents Showing Peter’s Authority:
- Peter led the appointing of a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:15-26)
- Peter delivered the first sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41)
- Peter performed notable miracles, like healing a lame beggar (Acts 3:1-10)
- Peter pronounced judgment on Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)
- The sick were healed when Peter’s shadow passed over them (Acts 5:15-16)
- Peter settled the conflict between Greek and Hebrew widows (Acts 6:1-7)
- Peter excommunicated the magician Simon (Acts 8:18-24)
- Peter took the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10)
- Peter’s opinion carried weight at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:7-12)
So while Peter was not the sole leader, he was clearly the foremost apostle in the early Jerusalem church.
Papal Succession?
The Roman Catholic Church sees Matthew 16:13-20 as the foundation for the doctrine of the papal succession. Catholics believe Peter’s authority has passed down to each successive bishop of Rome as head of the church. Most Protestant interpreters do not see any evidence that Peter’s role was meant to be hereditary or apply beyond the apostolic age. But all would agree on Peter’s importance in the first generation of church leadership.
Tell No One
Interestingly, right after Peter’s confession and Jesus’ words praising him, Jesus tells the disciples not to tell anyone he is the Christ. This seems to be a recurring theme in Mark especially known as the “Messianic Secret.” Jesus was careful to avoid being turned into a political rebel leader against Rome. His message and ministry aims were different than the crowds expected of the Messiah. Jesus focused on preparation for his final trip to Jerusalem where suffering, death and resurrection awaited—events his followers did not expect.
Conclusion
Matthew 16:13-20 marks a pivotal moment when Peter as spokesman for the Twelve declares Jesus to be the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus affirms this revelation from the Father and establishes Peter’s unique role in the early church, including authority to bind and loose and the keys to the kingdom. This passage provides a foundation for apostolic succession in church leadership and underscores Peter’s vital contribution to the early church, though interpreters disagree on the nature and extent of his authority. The events following Jesus’ ascension show Peter fulfilling a primary position among the Twelve in the Jerusalem church.
