In Christian tradition, Saint Peter is often depicted as the guardian of the gates of Heaven. He is said to hold a set of keys that can “bind and loose” – open or close the gates to Heaven. The keys represent spiritual authority and are a symbol of Peter’s role as the first Pope of the Catholic Church. But where does this idea come from? And what is the significance of Peter and the keys to heaven?
The Biblical Basis
The association between St. Peter and the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven comes from passages in the New Testament. In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is. After hearing various answers, Jesus then asks them directly, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answers “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replies:
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Here, Jesus gives Simon a new name – Peter (meaning “rock”) and says that He will build His church on this rock. Jesus then promises to give Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven and the power to bind and loose.
This passage is significant because it establishes Peter’s important role in the early church. The “keys of the kingdom” represent the authority to make binding decisions regarding the doctrines and teachings of Christianity on earth as well as determining who may enter heaven. This authority is passed down to subsequent Popes as successors of Peter.
Peter as Gatekeeper of Heaven
The image of Peter waiting at the gates of heaven with a set of keys comes from an interpretation of Matthew 16:19. The “gates of Hades” refers to death and the underworld. By giving Peter the keys and power to bind and loose, Jesus is promising that the powers of death and hell will not prevail against His church.
This is understood as Christ establishing Peter as the guardian of the gateway to heaven. As the first Pope, he is granted unique authority to determine who may enter into eternal life. The keys represent this spiritual authority over souls.
Later in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus also tells Peter:
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18)
This reinforces the special authority vested in Peter as head of the Church. Catholics believe this passage confers real spiritual power on Peter and his successors.
Artistic Depictions
The artistic depiction of Saint Peter at the gates of heaven with a set of keys dates back to medieval art. Some examples include:
- A 1425 fresco by Fra Angelico in the Vatican’s Chapel of Nicholas V showing Peter welcoming the Blessed into heaven.
- A 1473 painting by Hans Memling showing Peter carrying keys and a book (representing the Bible and spiritual knowledge).
- The Henry VII Chapel in Westminster Abbey built in the early 16th century includes a statue of St. Peter holding keys.
These and many other works of art reinforced the Catholic belief in Peter as the guardian of the gateway to salvation. The huge key ring with numerous keys signifies the importance of his spiritual authority.
Some more modern pop culture references include jokes about St. Peter being a tough gatekeeper, deciding who gets into heaven. The keys are strongly associated with Peter across various mediums.
Other Biblical References
A few other relevant biblical passages connect Peter with the keys to the Kingdom of God:
In Revelation 1:18, Christ says:
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Here, Jesus claims possession of the keys, showing his power over death and the underworld. As the representative of Christ on Earth, Peter is understood to be given these same keys.
In Isaiah 22:15-25, the prophet speaks of a steward named Shebna who will be removed from his position “as a peg is fastened securely in the wall.” God will hand his authority over to “Eliakim son of Hilkiah”:
“I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”
The “key of the house of David” refers to royal authority over the kingdom. This passage is seen as a foreshadowing of the keys to the kingdom of heaven given to Peter in the New Testament.
What the Keys Represent
Beyond just access to heaven, the keys represent the spiritual authority of the papacy. Possessing the “keys” means that Peter and his successors have the power to:
- Make definitive statements concerning faith and morals
- Determine doctrine
- Ordain bishops
- Excommunicate
- Forgive sins
This power invests the office of Pope with great responsibility. The keys are a lasting symbol of the authority vested by Christ in St. Peter, who serves as the rock on which the Catholic Church is built.
Papal Regalia
The Papal Tiara worn by popes for centuries includes three tiers to symbolize the “triple crown” of the papacy. The three levels represent:
- Supreme pastoral authority
- Supreme ecclesiastical jurisdiction
- Temporal power
On the front of the tiara are two crossed keys. They represent the metaphorical keys to the kingdom of heaven given to Peter and later popes. The silver key signifies “binding” and the gold key signifies “loosing.”
Even after Pope Paul VI discontinued the use of the tiara, the crossed keys remain a papal emblem representing the authority of the office. They appear on coins, coat of arms, insignia, and elsewhere.
Patronage
As the gatekeeper of heaven, Saint Peter is invoked as a patron for:
- Locksmiths
- Security guards
- Doormen
- Gatekeepers
- Bridge builders
Those professions look to St. Peter as their heavenly protector and guide. Artists crafting the gates of heaven for churches will sometimes include a depiction of Peter to show he guards the way to salvation.
Feast Days
The Catholic Church celebrates two feast days in honor of St. Peter:
- Feast of St. Peter’s Chair (February 22) – Honors his authority as Rome’s first bishop and the enduring authority of the papal office.
- Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul (June 29) – Commemorates the martyrdom of SS Peter and Paul in Rome.
These feast days remind the faithful of Peter’s position as chief of the apostles appointed by Christ.
Conclusion
The symbolic keys to the kingdom of heaven represent the spiritual authority granted by Christ to St. Peter and his successors. As the “rock” on which the church is built and the bearer of the keys, Peter serves as guardian of the gateway to salvation. This sacred trust is represented artistically with Peter depicted holding large keys to the gates of heaven. While the actual keys are metaphorical, they powerfully communicate the important role of the Pope in deciding what leads to eternal life in union with God.