Is Peter the 'rock'?

New Kings James Bible-

Matthew 16:18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it"

Let us start with the meanings behind these words. Peter or petros, means little stone or pebble. Rock or petra, means big rock or huge boulder.

Next, lets take a look at scripture.

Peter calls Christ the rock.

1 Corinthians 10:4 "For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ".

It is a very popular notion that Peter was made head of the church. But according to scripture, that is not true. While the Apostles continued the ministry after His death, Christ is always the head.

Ephesians 2:20",members of the household of God, having been built on the
foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone"

Ephesians 4:15 "Speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him, who is the Head- Christ."

Ephesians 5:23" For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the Church; and the Savior of the body"

Colossians 1:18 "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn of the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence".

Another point to look at in this verse (Matthew 16:18) is that Christ did not tell Peter that He was making him the head of the church or anything else.

In Catholicism, Peter is considered to be the first pope. Also, the pope is said to be infallible in all matters of faith.

If this were to be true, why was Peter rebuked sevreal times? Christ Himself had to rebuke Peter, which is recorded right after this verse.

Matthew 16:21-23" ²¹ From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
²² Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
²³ But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Also, Paul corrects Peter as well in Galatians.

Galatians 2:11-14 "¹¹ Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; ¹² for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. ¹³ And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
¹⁴ But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?"

How could Peter have been a pope if he had been fallible in matters of faith?

A few more points to consider on the subject.....


Look at the working in the verse in question.

"YOU are Peter and upon THIS rock".

The last major point that I would like to make is the meaning behind this section of scripture. It is the confession of Peter of who He said Jesus was. Christ was asking Peter who people said He was. He asked Peter specifically who HE thought He was, and He answered correctly saying "You are the Christ, Son of the Living God".

1 John 4:15 says " Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells with Him and he with God"


I hope that this has at least made you think and perhaps, research this subject on your own. Far too often, we go by what we are told and never make sure that what we are being taught is correct. I urge you to do this. In fact, we are told to make sure that what we are being taught is true. We are taught in scripture to know what scripture says.

I pray that God is with you all and God Bless~

In Him Alone,

Hope