Matthew 16:18-20

Disciples’ Literal New Testament

Footnotes

1. Matthew 16:18 That is, I also reveal in addition to what the Father revealed; or, I also bless you, in addition to this blessing you have received from the Father.
2. Matthew 16:18 Or, Peter, as this is always rendered elsewhere. Jesus has both his name and the meaning of his name in view. ‘A rock’ shows the flow of thought, ‘Peter’ the connection to the apostle. Jesus had long ago given him this name, Jn 1:42.
3. Matthew 16:18 That is, Peter himself, as the leader described in v 19; or, Peter’s confession, the human confession of Christ as Son of God; or, the Father’s revelation of Him to humans; or, Christ may be pointing to Himself.
4. Matthew 16:18 That is, the gates all humans pass through at death; death will not defeat the church. Or, the forces of evil coming through those gates to attack the church; they will not be victorious.
5. Matthew 16:18 Or, win the victory over.
6. Matthew 16:19 Keys are for opening and closing. Peter may be using these keys when he opens the kingdom to the Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles, in Acts.
7. Matthew 16:19 This is singular. This power may have been held by Peter exclusively; or, by all the apostles; or, it may have passed on to other believers. Compare 18:18.
8. Matthew 16:19 bind... loose. Some think this means forbidding and permitting things, as the Rabbis used these terms; others, forgiving and retaining sins, Jn 20:23; others, the power of excommunication, Mt 18:18.
9. Matthew 16:19 will have been bound... loosed. Lit, will be having been bound... loosed. God does not second what Peter binds, but what Peter binds will correspond to what has been bound in heaven. In other words, Peter will speak with God’s authority, with divine guidance.
10. Matthew 16:20 That is, Messiah. This term had political overtones Jesus did not want to fan at this time.