In this series of ‘case studies’ we’ll discuss a variety of biblical topics and relevant issues, and seek to shed light on them through careful biblical interpretation and suggestions for proper application. This should be edifying, encouraging and practical.
Text:
'Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ (NASB).
Key question:
What or who is the ‘rock’ onto which Christ’s Church would be built and not be overpowered by ‘the gates of Hades’?
Preliminary Issues
What or who is the ‘rock’? In our case study on the ‘rock’ of Matthew 7:24–27, we asked several preliminary questions, and it was clear from the many Scripture references on the use of ‘rock,’ that it primarily refers to God as the Rock—the everlasting and non-comparable One! ‘Rock’ is used as a personification and speaks of stability, safety and security. God is stable, unmovable, giving stability to those who trust Him and seek refuge in Him. In a similar way of using analogies, Scripture states that ‘the name of the Lord is a strong tower’ and the righteous are safe within it (Proverbs 18:10). King David declared that the Lord, whom he trusted, is his rock, fortress, deliverer, strength, shield and stronghold (Psalm 18:2). These are poetic expressions of safety, security and protection in life’s many challenges and troubles. God can be trusted, and those who do won’t be put to shame (Romans 10:11).
This kind of stability for life, in the illustration of Jesus in Matthew 7:24–27, is in obeying His words. Hearers only will be deceived and collapse in the storms of life. In the face of changing trends and all sorts of winds of doctrines (Ephesians 4:14), obeying the words of Christ gives stability and the outcome will be good. We encourage faithful obedience to the words of Christ and not to fall for the trickery of men (Ephesians 4:14). The right response to heresy is faithfulness to the inspired Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:13–17) and growth in Christ, the Head of the Church (Ephesians 4:15). Men’s opinions are ever-changing and therefore unstable. Christ’s Word is eternal and everlasting (Matthew 24:35), and therefore stable. His word contains wisdom to do God’s will and endure any storm. He is the Rock; His Word is a rock; obeying Him is building our lives and faith on the rock! So let's rock on with our study =;-)
Philosophies and Revelation
The philosophies of man are human wisdom; the Word of God is divine revelation and truth. Human wisdom has its place, some of it is useful (e.g., Acts 17:28), even good and wise, yet insufficient to know how to live life to the fullest—that’s why humans are ever-searching. Only the words of Christ are the truth that sets us free (John 8:32), because He is the Word that became flesh (1:1–14) and revealed or explained God the Father to us (vv 15–18). His word is truth (17:17). He spoke heavenly things because He is God incarnate (made flesh) and revealed unpolluted truth (3:11–13; 6:45–46). Searching the Bible for life apart from Christ won’t give life to the full (5:39–40). Christ gives life to the fullest extent (10:10). In Him is the ‘true knowledge of God,’ and that is Christ, ‘in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’ (Colossians 2:2–3). Human philosophy can even be ‘empty deception,’ yet we find the fullness of God in Christ (2:8–9). We are not so much interested in the ideas of human beings about God, but about the revelation of God to humanity through Christ. We, therefore, seek to understand His words so we can know truth and obey truth—and enjoy the freedom it brings. Only truth guards from deception, and truth is found in the revelation of the Son of God, not men’s opinions, philosophies or ideas.
A Closer Look and Key Questions
Men’s opinions is our starting point to understand the meaning of ‘rock’ in Matthew 16:13–20. Asking the right questions leads to the right answers. Jesus applied this method, too. He asked (v 13),
‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’
One of Jesus’ self-descriptions was ‘Son of Man.’ What does it mean? Does it refer to His humanity, as ‘Son of God’ refers to His divinity? Let’s find out from Scripture, applying the ‘Scripture interprets Scripture’ principle.
Shortly after this discussion about His identity, Jesus spoke again about the ‘Son of Man’ who would come with the angels of heaven to ‘reward each [person] according to his works’ (Matthew 16:27), speaking of the Final Judgement of God on humanity; He would be the Judge. Scripture sees time as linear (not circular), from the beginning of time, heading towards an end where every human being must give an account to the Creator. Humans were created free, but freedom requires responsibility and demands accountability.
During His mock trial that eventually condemned Him to death, Jesus used one of the most powerful ancient prophecies to declare what He meant by that self-description: ‘You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power [a reference to God], and coming with the clouds of heaven’ (Matthew 26:64). This was a reference to Daniel’s prophecy that spoke of the divine Messiah that was to come to judge the world (Daniel 7:9–14). That’s what Jesus had already declared to His disciples regarding the end of days leading to Judgment Day (Matthew 24:15, 29–31; cf., Daniel 9:24ff). ‘Son of Man’ spoke of ‘Messiah the Prince’ (Daniel 7:13; 9:25), which is a description of divinity.
The first question about people’s opinions regarding the Son of Man (Matthew 16:13) was to figure out what people believed about the Son of Man, but the second question (v 15), more importantly, served to know what His followers believed about Him. There was a marked contrast between human ideas and God’s revelation regarding the identity of the Messiah.
Context: A Matter of Identity
The response to the first question revealed the various opinions, none of which were accurate, yet plausible within the context of Jewish Messianic expectations (the belief that a divine Redeemer would set the world in order and establish peace and justice): ‘Some say, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets’ (Matthew 16:14; cf., John 1:19–21). This was not an ‘opinion survey’ or ‘pre-election campaign’ to gather followers on social media or votes at the upcoming election. It was a targeted question of identity regarding the most crucial figure in history: the Messiah. The focus of the question was on Jesus. The different answers all have some Scriptural validity, notably Elijah, who was to come (Malachi 4:5–6), or a prophet as foretold by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15ff). But who was He? It was a question of identity.
John the Baptist, although having identified Jesus as the Messiah early on (John 1:19–36), later had his doubts: ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ (Matthew 11:2). Jesus’ answer should’ve settled his question and removed his doubts, His works testifying of His identity (vv 4–5). Yet, perhaps, this was not enough; something more was necessary to know and be sure. We all have our expectations and when they don’t come to pass as we imagine, we get disappointed, even offended (v 6). Jews had Messianic expectations, and many still do. But how do we know Who the Messiah is?
Jesus’ follow-up question took the focus off of people’s opinions and all the different options they came up with, and pointed to Himself (Matthew 16:15):
‘But who do you say that I am?’
This was the crucial question! Again, the focus is on Jesus and His identity. We might infer here, that ‘Son of Man’ of the first question was really saying, as the New King James Version puts it, ‘Who do men say I, the Son of Man, am?’ He was first asking about what people in general said about Him and then what His own disciples specifically thought: what was their understanding of who He was? It was an issue of the identity of Jesus, the person, in relation to the prophetic figure ‘Son of Man.’ It was not some flaky attempt of psychological self-help to gain some sort of validation of an insecure person; rather the issue was the understanding of the followers regarding His identity. The answer of Simon ‘Peter’ (from Greek petros, ‘rock’) illustrates this point.
‘You are the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the living God.'
The answer was spot on—‘A+’! Jesus was the Messiah, the divine Messiah as Son of God. Simon understood His true identity. But how? The focus of the answer resembles the focus of the questions.
‘Blessed are you, Simon Barjona [son of Jona], because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’
This confession about the identity of the Messiah was true. In response, Jesus praised Simon for his correct answer (v 17a) and pointed to the source of his understanding: God, His Father (v 17b). It was ‘revealed’ to Simon: the confession was revelation, not human reasoning, because the Source was divine. The confession reflected the understanding based on revelation. The Source came from heaven, not earth. It was not human opinions, or the suggestions or expectations of ‘flesh and blood,’ and idiom for human beings. It was the unveiling by God. The revelation of the identity of Jesus that was imparted by the Father made Jesus call Simon ‘Peter,’ the ‘rock’ (v 18). There is a play on words here.
‘I also say to you that you are Peter [petros], and upon this rock [petra] I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.’
So what or who is the ‘rock’? Simon ‘Peter’ or the revelation? Or both? ‘Upon this rock,’ or ‘on the basis of this rock,’ the Church would be built and it would be stronger than death (‘gates of Hades’) itself! The keys of God’s kingdom would be given to ‘Peter,’ and it would come with powerful authority (v 19). Is Peter the ‘rock’ as the keys would be given to him? Let’s consider the following.
The contrast here is between humanity on earth, and its human reasoning, and God in Heaven, the divine Source of revelation. Human opinions are inaccurate, incomplete and don’t give the stability God gives by direct revelation. Having a true revelation of Jesus directly given by God is transformational (new name, Petros/Kefa) and gives stability (‘rock,’ petros). There’s a play on words here (see below). The revelation about Christ, His true identity transformed Simon into ‘Peter,’ symbolically speaking, from an unstable to a stable person with a true and accurate knowledge of who the Son of Man was: the Son of God! In John’s case, the works of Christ were not enough to remove his doubts, but for Peter, revelation made all things clear.
This would indicate that the revelation of Christ was the ‘rock’ that gives stability. On the basis of this ‘rock’ (the revelation of Messiah), Christ would build His Church, the community of believers who have that revelation of who He was. The late professor Jon Mark Ruthven described Peter’s experience and prophetic confession as ‘paradigmatic and archetypal for all who would be believers in Christ’ (Cessation, 210). Peter himself wrote about believers, figuratively speaking, as ‘living stones,’ Jesus being the ‘Chief Cornerstone’ (1 Peter 2:4–8). Peter did not indicate that he saw himself as the Rock of the Church, but rather that through this experience he became a stable follower of Christ and, later, a leader in the Church. He was one of the ‘living stones’ in the Temple of God, the Church on earth.
A Play on Words
The use of Petros/Petra (Aramaic, Kefa) is a play on words. We note that the Greek noun petros is masculine, petra feminie, to distinguish the two. This difference would not have been present in Aramaic, the spoken language at the time, yet is upheld in the Latin translation of the Bible, the Vulgate, still used by Roman Catholicism.
Simon was called by three different names:
Simon (from Hebrew, Shimon, Simeon), his birth name (e.g., Mark 1:16, 36))
Peter, his given name by Jesus (John 1:42; Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14)
Cephas (1 Corinthians 15:5), the Aramaic equivalent of the Greek petros (John 1:42).
In the Gospels, both Simon (e.g., Luke 4:38; 5:10; 22:31; 24:34; John 21:15) and Peter (Matthew 8:14; 14:28; 15:15) were used, sometimes together (e.g., John 1:40; 6:68; 13:9). In Acts we find mainly Peter (e.g., 1:13, 15; 2:14; 9:43; 10:17; 12:2, 5, 14), but also Simon (15:14), sometimes interchangeably with Peter (e.g., 10). Paul used Cephas and Peter (Galatians 1:18; 2:8, 11; 1 Corinthians 15:5), both names signifying ‘rock’ in relation to the additional name Jesus gave him (Mark 3:16; Acts 10:5, 18). Perhaps we could call it a nickname. ‘Peter’ and ‘Cephas’ come from this incident in Matthew 16, yet note how Jesus called him with the Aramaic ‘Cephas’ (Kefa) early on (John 1:42), predicting the incident and new name. The name is a description and it signifies stability based on the revelation of the identity of the Messiah.
The choice of petros (Greek) and kefa (Aramaic) as a play on words indicates the following: the ‘rock’ of revelation turned him into a ‘rock’ within the Church. The stability found in knowing truth by divine revelation (petra) turns a person into a stable believer and even leader (petros), one that can be entrusted with authority (keys). It is stability even in the face of death—the ‘gates of hell’ won’t overpower the Church built on this ‘rock’! We conclude, the ‘rock’ in Matthew 16:18 is the revelation of Jesus the Son of Man as the Messiah and Son of God which turns the person having that revelation into a ‘rock,’ signifying stability and strength. We agree with Ruthven that this is a paradigm or prototype for all believers. Eternal life is to know the eternal God and His incarnate Son, Jesus (John 17:3). Becoming a child of God means recognising Him whom others did not recognise, and to believe in Him unto eternal life (John 1:10–13, 18).
Certainty gives Stability
Both questions Jesus asked point to the identity of the Son of Man/Messiah, and gives us the context of the issue. The right answer was the revelation given by God and was expressed as the confession about Christ by Simon ‘Peter.’ That understanding of who He is, made Jesus give Simon the new, additional name: petros/kefa. The context, especially the questions, point to the revelation of the identity of Christ. We cannot rely on men’s opinion; we need revelation from Heaven—that’s stability! Knowing Christ by revelation from God is stability; the speculations or guesses by people, even scholars, is not. The latter, valuable as it is to some degree, is simply not enough to build your life and faith. What the Father reveals is stability, not what ‘flesh and blood’ speculates. We cannot live our lives based on people’s opinions. Knowing Christ by revelation is also important when faced by the claims by ‘false Christs’ seeking to deceive and mislead us (Matthew 24:24). If you are not sure who Christ is, you might fall prey to deception. Certainty gives stability.
The play on words further points to our conclusion: the revelation of who Christ is, has a divine source and comes from Heaven, and is, therefore, infallible truth and reliable as a ‘rock’; once you know Jesus and His Messianic identity by revelation you become solid as a ‘rock’ based on that revelation knowledge. Knowing God the ‘Rock’ and His Messiah as the ‘Chief Cornerstone’ (see below) by revelation as a ‘rock,’ turns you into a ‘rock’! The incident serves as a prototype to imitated, not an exclusive event for one person only, who had some preeminent role above all others. To be sure, Peter was a leading figure in the early church, but didn’t make claims about himself that later church traditions made about him. We should not read things into the Scriptures. We best take him as a prototype for all believers: we can build our lives on this revelation of Christ and become stable; Christ can build His Church on it and it will overcome all powers of hell and death, because Christ as Messiah overcame death by His resurrection!
To Simon ‘Peter’ only?
Let’s examine the question further, was Simon ‘Peter’ the only one who received this revelation? What about the other disciples?
Simon was first introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew with the words, ‘We have found the Messiah’! (John 1:35–41). He introduced his brother Simon to Jesus and there He predicted the additional name he would be given (v 42): Cephas (‘rock’ or ‘stone’). After that Philip introduced Nathanael to Jesus with the description, ‘We found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus’ (v 45). In a personal encounter with Jesus, Nathanael made the following confession: ‘Rabbi [Teacher], You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ (v 49) Nathanael’s confession resembles Peter’s (Matthew 16:16). How did Nathanael know this? This revelation came because of Jesus’ omniscience (John 1:50). It didn’t give him a new name, like with Peter, but it did give him a promise of an ‘open heaven’ (v 51), seeing heavenly realities in allusion to Jacob’s experience (Genesis 28:21).
The focus in Matthew 16 seems to be on Simon who gave the right answer. Perhaps we should point out that Peter also gave a wrong answer, just moments after giving the right one! He even ‘rebuked’ Jesus for saying that He would soon be suffering (Matthew 16:21–22). This is no light matter, in view of Jesus’ strong rebuke of the ‘rock’: he was still mindful of ‘the things of men’ (opinions, earth), not the ‘things of God’ (revelation, Heaven). So, how stable was the ‘rock’? The same person who became a ‘rock’ based on divine revelation (vv 17–18) became a ‘stumbling block’ (v 23) because of human reasoning! It seems right to focus our interpretation of the ‘rock’ on the stability of the revelation from God, not on the instability of men who might swing the source of their understanding from heavenly to earthly within moments!
The revelation as ‘rock’ is certainly stable—it’s the everlasting truth. But handling that is a different matter. Peter, the ‘rock,’ failed moments later to remain in that divine flow of revelation and was busy with earthly, human affairs. It’s one thing to get one answer right, it’s another thing to live in the truth on a consistent basis (Paul would later urge the believers to be heavenly-minded and Christ-centred in their lifestyle [see Colossians 3:1–4]). Perhaps only that consistency turns a person with revelation into a ‘rock’ permanently. We might also recall Peter’s denial of Jesus after His arrest (Matthew 26:31–35, 56, 69–75), again failing in stability despite good intentions. Yet we must also point to Christ’s restoration of the ‘rock’ after His resurrection (John 21) and that Peter was indeed a ‘rock’ in what followed. Despite human weakness, God can make all of us stable as a ‘rock’ in His community of faith. Interestingly, soon after the revelation experience (Matthew 16:13–16), Jesus displayed His divine glory on the mountain in His transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–9), and again spoke of His upcoming crucifixion, yet no one objected anymore (17:22–23; cf., 16:21–23). Perhaps that, too, added to making the ‘rock’ more stable. But there was something else of great importance.
The Humility of Discipleship
Directly after Simon gave a wrong, human answer (Matthew 16:22–23), after having given a right, divine answer (v 17) moments earlier, Jesus pointed to discipleship (vv 24–26). This might be the key for not turning into a ‘stumbling block’ after becoming a ‘rock.’ Might Peter have become a little cocky after receiving praise from Jesus? It seems he thought he knew better than Jesus about what was to be done! Pride is ever lurking at our door and we need to guard against it, because pride is the prelude to everyone’s fall! Here’s ancient wisdom ever so relevant today (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12):
‘Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.’
‘Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.’
Jesus advocated the humility of discipleship. Given the context, we might conclude that this is the anti-dote to falling into pride based on some supernatural experience (cf., Luke 10:17–20). There was another powerful person who had divine revelation and God had a way to keep him humble about it to prevent him from falling into the destruction of pride (2 Corinthians 12:1–10).
Saul of Tarsus
The other key person who had revelation about God was Saul of Tarsus. Before he became an ambassador for Christ, Saul was a persecutor of the believers in Christ. While seeking to arrest the ‘heretics,’ as they saw it, he encountered ‘a light … from heaven’ (Acts 9:1–3). Jesus appeared to him and revealed Himself to him (vv 4ff). Ironically, he first had to become blind before he could see properly! Revelation enlightened him. A similar point Jesus made when healing a person born blind (see John 9). Jesus came to make the blind see, both physically and spiritually. John Newton, a former slave trader who became a Christian, had a similar experience, expressed in his famous hymn, Amazing Grace. He was once blind, but then he saw; he was lost, but then found.
Saul, once blind, would become a ‘chosen vessel’ of God (v 15) despite his past. Revelation made him see. It was a revelation of who Jesus was and what He wanted Him to do, as he would later relate to Agrippa (Acts 26). The Gospel he had received was ‘through the revelation of Jesus Christ’ (Galatians 1:12), a message he would also submit to the main leaders of the Church, including the ‘rock,’ Peter/Cephas (v 18; 2:2, 7–9). Their messages were in sync, because they came from the same Source. Being a well-educated man, Paul understood that this revelation was in accordance with the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Romans 1:1–6). It was not man-made, but God-inspired. The same God who inspired the Scriptures, revealed Himself in Christ.
Despite his revelation, Saul was not given a new name like ‘Peter,’ yet he certainly, too, was a ‘rock’ in the Church, preaching everywhere, founding churches, and writing large parts of the New Testament, the authoritative Scriptures of the community of believers (2 Peter 3:15–16), on par with the inspired Hebrew Bible (2 Timothy 3:16). Saul was also know as Paul. Saul was Jewish by birth (Philippians 3:5), yet possessed Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37), probably via his father. It was common to take on a Roman or Greek name, and he did: ‘Paul’ (Acts 13:9). This was not a ‘new name’ like with ‘Peter,’ but simply an equivalent name for the Greco-Roman world in which he lived and worked (Saul and Paul are used interchangeably). Be that as it may, he was a major figure in the history of the Church—‘rock’ indeed.
When it comes to revelation about Messiah, anyone with a proper understanding of Jesus the Messiah can become a ‘rock,’ a stable believer and minister in the Church. Peter served as an example for others to follow; Paul too. The revelation didn’t come exclusively to them. There were other apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20; 3:5), sharing the Message of the Gospel in harmony (2:11—3:7). Paul’s prayer was for ‘all the saints’ (i.e., believers) to have understanding according to revelation (Ephesians 1:15–23; 3:14–21; cf., Colossians 1:9–12). The important issue is that the revelation truly comes from God and is in line with Scripture. Paul's example also shows that those who received revelation from God had to be accountable to others (Galatians 1:12, 18; 2:2, 7–9) and faithful in their transmission of the Gospel, which was according to Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:1–11).
Revelation according to Scripture
The divine revelation about Christ and the Gospel was of divine Source. It wasn’t random or weird; it was truth, revealed by the heavenly Father. But how was one to know that it was of God? Can’t just about anybody claim something about God based on some ‘revelation’ they say they have had? How can we know that something is of God? Scripture is the key.
The identity and work of Christ was ‘according to the Scriptures’; Paul’s Gospel about Christ was ‘according to the Scriptures’ (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). The Source of the Gospel was the God who inspired the ‘Holy Scriptures’ which verify the identity and work of Christ (Romans 1:1–6). Jesus said that the Scriptures testify of Him (John 5:39). Everything about His life and work of salvation was ‘written’ in Scripture and found fulfilment in Christ (Luke 24:44–47; John 1:45). The witnesses of His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:5–8) were to testify about it in the power of God’s Spirit (Luke 24:48–49; Acts 1:8). The revelation of Christ was in line with inspired Scripture and verifiable. Some Jews, after hearing Paul preach Jesus as Messiah, did exactly that: They ‘searched the Scriptures daily do find out whether these things were so’; their searching lead to believing (Acts 17:10–12). Revelation must be in line with inspired Scripture to be verified for its veracity (truthfulness) and source (God).
Revelation and Obedience
Revelation brought clarity regarding the Messiah’s identity. This revelation, in line with Scripture, brings clarity in our minds regarding the role of Scripture in our own lives. We need clarity in the midst of confusion and men’s opinions. Confusion in our minds can hinder faith in our hearts, but revelation and a proper understanding of the Word of God bring clarity, and with clarity comes stability, and with stability comes victory—no matter what might come our way.
In the face of confusion and heresy, or competing opinions or human philosophies (‘Who do people say that I am?’), we need to be clear what we believe and who we follow (‘Who do you say that I am?’). The revealed things belong to us and our children, the secret things belong to God; and the purpose of revelation is to obey it (Deuteronomy 29:29). God reveals His will so that we should be wise in this time and age and understand and do His will (Ephesians 5:15-17). Just as obeying the teachings of Jesus brings stability through wisdom (the ‘rock’ of Matthew 7:24–27), having revelation from Heaven gives stability through clarity (the ‘rock’ of Matthew 16:16–17). Some things are exclusively under God’s control and not revealed to humankind (Matthew 24:36). The disciples inquired about the restoration of Israel (Acts 1:6), yet certain things are not for them to know (v 7). Jesus, instead, set their focus on what He had already told them to do (Luke 24:48–49): the Gospel mission as witnesses empowered by God’s Spirit (Acts 1:8; cf., Matthew 28:18–20). Revelation must be obeyed. An obsession with mystery (that which is not revealed) can sidetrack from the main mission (that which is revealed). Stay focused on what is revealed. The revelation is the ‘rock’!
This type of imparted revelation Peter received is part of the fulfilment of Jeremiah’s predictions of a New Covenant God would establish (Jeremiah 31:31–34). It is what God had predicted through Isaiah, that His Word and His Spirit would be with His covenant people (Isaiah 59:21).
The New Covenant and Revelation
In his prediction of the New Covenant God would establish (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:8–12), Jeremiah noted a key line: ‘no more shall every man teach his neighbor… they all shall know Me’ (Jeremiah 31:35, emphasis added). Similarly, Isaiah foresaw a time when all of God’s children would be taught by the Lord (Isaiah 54:13). Jesus used this verse of Isaiah (John 6:45), pointing to His mission to reveal the Father and the authority He has because He came from Heaven (vv 46–47). As the incarnate Word (John 1:1–4, 14) Who was with God (Heaven) and was God (Deity), He is qualified and authorized to reveal God (v 18). The outpouring of the Spirit of God, the third member of the divine Trinity (One God in three Persons), was to serve the purpose of illuminating all believers with divine truth from the heavenly Source—God, the Father who revealed the divine identity of Jesus to Simon ‘Peter.’ He does so to ‘all the saints’ (Ephesians 3:18). Paul’s prayers reflect this work of the Spirit (Ephesians 1:15–23; 3:14–21; Colossians 1:9–12), revealing divine truth ‘directly and immediately into the human heart’ (Cessation, 212).
The Spirit of God is the Spirit of truth, Who would teach the disciples all things and lead them into all the truth (John 16:13–15). The Spirit communicates divine truth to human beings; He imparts understanding and knowledge (1 John 2:20) based on what is written (vv 21–23). Christ is the truth (John 14:6) and His word is the truth that sets as free (John 8:31–36; cf., John 17:17). As stated above, the truth revealed by the Father, is according to Scripture, and never contrary to it. The Word of God is our objective truth to establish matters on earth with Heaven’s approval. The Spirit imparts truth by revelation into the human heart in fulfillment of the New Covenant promises of being taught by the Lord and knowing Him. His Word and His Spirit wold always be with us and in us (Isaiah 59:21). Moses desired that all of God’s people would received the Spirit (Numbers 11:16–30), a divine desire that found fulfilment in the New Covenant (Acts 2) after Jesus’ glorification (John 7:37–39). Jesus established the New Covenant in His blood (Matthew 26:26–30), the Spirit would make it a reality by writing God’s laws on our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:2–6).
The Chief Cornerstone
Another issue regarding revelation is the portrayal of Messiah as the ‘Chief Cornerstone,’ a figure of speech for the Church as a ‘building’ in the likeness of the ancient Jewish Temple (the place of worship) in Jerusalem. Peter, the ‘rock,’ didn’t understand himself as the ‘rock,’ but as a living stone among others (1 Peter 2:4–10). Christ was the ‘chief cornerstone,’ laid in Zion (Jerusalem), based on Messianic prophecy (Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22). The understanding he got about the Messiah was given by God and was based on Scripture. The Church is seen as a ‘spiritual house,’ built with ‘living stones,’ the believers, who came to Him (by faith), the ‘living stone’ (1 Peter 2:4–5). Although Christ was rejected by the ‘builders’ (i.e., the leaders) at the time (v 7), He was selected by God as precious (v 6). To those who reject Him, He is not the ‘Chief Cornerstone,’ but a ‘rock’ of a different sort: a ‘stone of stumbling’ and a ‘rock of offense’ (v 8).
Jesus spoke in such terms with the leaders of His time (Matthew 21:42), pointing to a judgement on those on whom the ‘stone’ fell (v 44). The context is the bad stewardship of God’s vineyard (vv 33–41); the vineyward was a picture of God’s people (Isaiah 5:1–7). The ‘rejected stone’ was originally taken to signify king David, who was at first rejected and persecuted, yet eventually ascended the throne of Israel (2 Samuel 5:10–12). David became the true king after the bad stewardship as king (leader) by his predecessor, Saul. The Messiah, a descendant of David (2 Samuel 7), would suffer a similar fate, but ultimately succeed. Jesus is that Messiah (Luke 1:31–33), rejected by some men, but chosen by God and loved by His followers. Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone of His Church, the spiritual habitation of God (Ephesians 2:20–21); He is the foundation that cannot be removed or exchanged (1 Corinthians 3:11). Those who believe in Him will be saved and become part of God’s chosen people (1 Peter 2:7, 9–10).
Binding and Loosing
Another issue is present in the passage under discussion (Matthew 16:19). In certain circles, the notion of ‘binding and loosing’ is usually interpreted and applied in relation to the devil and his demons. After all, an angel would bind Satan for a thousand years and stop him from deceiving the nations further (Revelation 20:1–3). The reference in Matthew 16:19 speaks of authority in relation to the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven does manifest when the devil is cast out (Matthew 12:28), and Jesus used an illustration of binding ‘the strong man’ in a house during a robbery (v 29). Is that the intented meaning of the words of Jesus? The other time Jesus spoke of ‘binding and loosing’ sheds more light on the issue.
When things go wrong in relationships among the believers, there is a proper way and order of dealing with it (see Matthew 18:15–17). First in private conversation, then with the help of others, and only then the problem is to be extended to the faith community. The idea is always to win the brother and to reconcile (v 15), although sometimes people choose not to reconcile (Paul offers a good guideline in such a case [Romans 12:18]). The words of instruction by Jesus are followed by words of ‘binding and loosing’ on earth and heaven, respectively (v 18), followed by the agreement reached among the leaders who are seeking to resolve the conflict (vv 19–20), agreeing on a binding settlement.
The emphasis here is on settling a matter in line with God’s will based on God’s Word. This way of resolving was common in the synagogue at the time, followed by the early church, and goes back to the instructions of Moses: there must be sufficient evidence to pass a sound judgement (Deuteronomy 19:15), especially when it came to the (then-valid) capital punishment (17:5). Like in a court today, evidence must be established to make a proper judgment. It takes at least ‘two or three witnesses.’ Paul, too, applied this legal principle to resolve conflicts in the local churches (2 Corinthians 13:1–6; 1 Timothy 5:19–21). The issue here is about resolving conflicts in a proper way, with the desired result of repentance, forgiveness and restoration (cf., 2 Timothy 2:24–26). The decisions the leaders would take on earth will be backed by heaven if they are in line with Scripture and based on proper evidence. The decision would be binding, in agreement with Heaven/God/Scripture.
The Messianic Secret
The passage under discussion (Matthew 16:13–20) ends with a curious warning by Jesus (v 20): ‘they should tell no one that He was the Christ’—what?! He had just been revealed by Heaven, yet they were not to tell anyone? That doesn’t make any sense... or does it? Why reveal the Messiah, but not tell anyone? Wasn’t that the mission, to make Him known and tell the whole world? Why didn’t Jesus want others to know (at this stage) or His disciples to tell others about Him? There was a reason.
To Christians ‘Messiah’ means salvation; He came to set the captives free! To many Jews at the time it meant throwing off Roman occupation. To Romans ruling over Jews it therefore meant revolt. Roman rulers were tolerant as long as their subjects would accept their rule and not rebel. But if they did rebel, the iron fist of Rome was ruthless. Jesus would eventually be crucified as the ‘King of the Jews,’ a notion of the ‘Messianic rebel’ that must be stopped to keep order in the colony. It was therefore dangerous to make Jesus known a Messiah. Jesus had a mission to fulfil before He would die on the cross for the sins of humanity. Premature exposure would have jeopardised the mission. When the crowds once came to force Him to become ‘king’ as a Messianic rebel, Jesus withdrew Himself (John 6:15). It was not His time. He was not an earthly king but a heavenly King (John 18:36). But when His time did come, He allowed the Messianic celebrations to take place (John 12:12ff)—it would lead to His death, the crowing of His mission: to die for the sins of humanity and rise from the dead to overcome the power of death unto eternal life. His death was brutal, His sacrifice efficient, His resurrection powerful. Christ lives forever, God is eternal.
One of the greatest and wisest Jewish leaders at the time (Acts 5:33–42) gave several examples of Jewish Messianic freaks who tried to rebel against Rome—and failed (vv 36–37). When the Jews later rebelled against Rome in the Great War (AD 66–70) and again under Kokhba (132–135), they were brutally crushed. Gamaliel warned his countrymen not to persecute the believers, lest they fight against God (Acts 5:38–39). The Christians were also brutally persecuted by Rome, but for other reasons, yet as Gamaliel predicted, ‘if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it’ (v 39). He was right. The Church is of God, built on the rock, and the gates of Hades could not overthrow or overpower it! Jesus is the Messiah, yet His Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), but has ever since been transforming it.
Conclusion
God, the Father is the Source of revelation and truth. He works through the Spirit of truth to impart revelation about the identity of the Messiah. The truth God reveals is a ‘rock’ on which we can rely, giving stability and security. We, in turn, become stable as ‘living stones’ in the building of God, the Church, the community of faith. Christ is the Chief Cornerstone and irreplaceable foundation of the Church of all times. Jesus is the Messiah. Therefore, be a ‘rock’ based on the ‘rock’ of revelation!
References
Jon Mark Ruthven. On the Cessation of the Charismata: The Protestant Polemic on Post-Biblical Miracles (Revised & Expanded Edition). Tulsa: Word & Spirit Press, 2011.
I. Howard Marshall, A.R. Millard, J.I. Packer, D.J. Wiseman (eds.). New Bible Dictionary (Third Edition). Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996.
William D. Mounce. Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar (Second Edition). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003.
https://apologeticspress.org/is-peter-the-rockfoundation-of-the-church-5971/
Comments