Devine Scripture

Matthew 16:19

What does Matthew 16:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 16:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 16:19 means

Jesus grants Peter "the keys of the kingdom of heaven," signifying divine authority to open the way into God's kingdom through the proclamation of the Gospel. Furthermore, Jesus declares, "whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." This authority, later extended to all the disciples, refers to the power to declare what is permissible or forbidden according to God's will, exercising spiritual discipline and offering forgiveness, all in alignment with heaven's decrees.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatever is fixed by you on earth will be fixed in heaven: and whatever you make free on earth will be made free in heaven.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens; and whatsoever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be bound in the heavens; and whatsoever thou mayest loose on the earth shall be loosed in the heavens.

Context

This verse directly elaborates on the authority given to Peter as a leader in Christ's church, following the declaration of the church's foundation. It highlights the practical implications of the keys of the kingdom and the binding and loosing authority, which will later be extended to the other apostles. This bestowal of authority precedes Jesus' immediate command to silence, emphasizing the specific timing of these revelations.

v.18And 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.

v.19This passage

v.20Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 2:14

    But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words.

  • Revelation 20:1

    And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:10

    But to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven it in the presence of Christ;

  • Isaiah 22:22

    And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

  • John 20:23

    whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

  • Acts 10:34

    And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 16

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 16.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 16:19.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary