Mat 16:17-19 | TNotes | STEP | 16:17 God revealed to Peter his plan of salvation in Jesus, the Messiah. This moment of revelation was a high point in the unfolding of God’s will for humanity (cp. Gal 1:16 ; 3:23 ; Eph 3:5 ).

16:17 ^a God revealed to Peter his plan of salvation in Jesus, the Messiah. This moment of revelation was a high point in the unfolding of God’s will for humanity (cp. Gal 1:16 ^b; 3:23 ^c; Eph 3:5 ^d).
16:18 ^e The phrase upon this rock is a pun on Peter’s name. Peter was the foundational rock in that he was the first confessor and leader of the apostles—he was the “founding member” of the church (see Eph 2:20-22 ^f; Rev 21:14 ^g). Some scholars have suggested that Jesus was referring to himself when he said this rock, but it seems clear that Jesus was referring either to Peter or to his confession. However, it is clearly Jesus’ church (my church), not Peter’s, and Jesus himself will build it. So it is not necessary to conclude that later church leaders must derive their authority from Peter.

• Matthew is the only Gospel writer who uses the term church (also Matt 18:17 ^h). The idea here is more the community of God’s people than an ecclesiastical institution.

• will not conquer it: The church will not be defeated by the attacks of Satan (see 11:12 ⁱ; 13:24-30 ^j, 36-43 ^k).
16:19 ^l Keys are an image for access to privileged knowledge that gives one authority (see 13:16-17 ^m; 23:13 ⁿ; Isa 22:22 ^o; Rev 3:7 ^p).

• forbid ... permit: Jesus granted to Peter (and later to the rest of the Twelve, Matt 18:18 ^q) the authority to teach the will of God as revealed in Jesus Christ (13:52 ^r; 18:15-20 ^s; 23:2-12 ^t; 28:16-20 ^u).

• will be: This could be translated will have been, emphasizing that God’s sovereign decision comes first.