Heads-up. Let’s get ready to rumble! Over the next coming days I’m going to spend some time here looking at one of the most debated passages in all of the Gospels. I’d love to get feedback. So please, make use of the comment box. So, here we go. . .
In Matthew 16:13–20 we read the famous confession of faith by Peter at Caesarea Philippi. In response to his statement affirming him as the “Son of the Living God,” Jesus tells Peter: “I tell you, you are Peter [Greek: petros] and on this rock [Greek: petra]. I will build my church . . .” (Matt 16:18).
About this text, Davies and Allison write that is “among the most controversial [verses] in all of Scripture.”[1] Specifically, the question revolves around the identification of Peter as the “rock” upon which Jesus builds the church. Because two different terms are used Πέτρος [petros], referring to a small stone, and πέτρα [petra], which carries the connotation of a larger rock, some have suggested that something other than Peter himself is to be seen as that which the church is built upon (e.g., Peter’s confession of faith).
5 comments:
Michael,
it is important to understand the naming of Peter in the context of other similar cases of re-naming in the first century church (and in the ancient world generally). Too often the naming of Peter is discussed in isolation and the significance of the name is under-played. I may blog on this in due course, but in the meanwhile take a look at my short piece here.
I'm looking forward to your posts, and I hope you get lots of comments.
Michael,
I was raised as an evangelical, attended Wheaton College, studied Greek, and could recite the standard evangelical interpretation in my sleep. I came to realize that the Petros/Petra distinction doesn't hold any water. I recently had a discussion at dinner with some of our separated Brethren about this. For the sake of argument, I granted them the Evangelical interpretation. They had no adequate explanation for the next two clauses- I give you the keys, and the power to bind and loose. It is abundantly clear that Jesus is not giving those powers to every believer.
When you connect this data point with all the others in the New Testament- Peter is named first among the apostles, the name change signifies a special role, the feed my sheep, and Peter's role in the early church, it is clear that he was the leader of the pack.
Gary
Good points, Gary! I might also add the significance of the name change, which is very important to the biblical interpretation.
As in all name changes throughout the Bible, such as Abram to Abraham etc, the change denotes a change in status...a role change. As Peter confesses the role of Jesus as the Christos (The Messiah), Jesus then confesses Simon as the rock on which He will build his church.
Fulton Sheen points out the significance of name changes in connection with Peter, Abraham and Jacob in his work The Rock Plunged Into Eternity.
-Luke Arredondo
Thanks for all these comments!
Richard:
Thanks for you piece. Good stuff there.
Gary:
I agree. I completely agree: it is significant that only Peter is given the keys.
Brock and Fides:
Thanks for bringing in the other cases of re-naming. No doubt that is significant!
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