Matthew 16:18
What does Matthew 16:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 16:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 16:18 means
Jesus directly addresses Simon, renaming him "Peter," meaning "rock." He then declares, "upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." While Peter is the first to confess, the "rock" upon which the church is built is fundamentally the truth of Peter's confession of Christ's identity. Jesus promises that His church, founded on this essential truth, will endure eternally and triumph over even the powers of death and the underworld.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock will my church be based, and the doors of hell will not overcome it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And I also say to thee, that thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build my assembly, and gates of Hades shall not prevail against it;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I also, I say unto thee that thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and hades' gates shall not prevail against it.
Context
This verse directly follows Jesus' affirmation of the divine origin of Peter's confession. It is a foundational declaration regarding the establishment of the church, moving from Peter's personal revelation to the collective body of believers. This promise of enduring power sets the stage for the granting of spiritual authority to Peter in the subsequent verse, confirming the church's divine mandate.
v.17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
v.18This passage
v.19I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 22:17
that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
- 1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building.
- Isaiah 28:6
and a spirit of justice to him that sitteth in judgment, and strength to them that turn back the battle at the gate.
- Ephesians 3:10
to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,
- Psalms 127:5
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be put to shame, When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
- Romans 8:33
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth;
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