Matthew 16:18
“And 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.”
King James Version
More of Matthew 16 on this siteMatthew 16:21 · Matthew 16:28
Jesus's promise to build his church on the apostolic confession of faith, which hell's powers cannot overcome.
Fulfillment References
Acts 2:41 Ephesians 2:20-22 1 Corinthians 10:4
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal'Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' The rock is the confession Peter just made — 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God' — and Christ Himself, the true Rock (1 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 2:20). The Lord Jesus builds His church upon the revelation of who He is: God manifest in flesh. The church born at Pentecost (Acts 2:41) stands on Him.
JewishThe imagery of God's people as a house built on a rock draws on the Hebrew 'Rock' (God) and temple traditions.
CatholicChrist builds His Church on Peter (Petros/petra) and his confession; the foundation of the papacy and the Church's indefectibility (cf. the Catechism).
ProtestantThe rock is Peter's confession of Christ (or Christ Himself); the Church built on the apostolic faith, not on Peter's person — a key Reformation distinction.
AcademicThe Petros/petra wordplay and the meaning of 'this rock' (Peter, his confession, or Christ) are among the most debated phrases in the NT.
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Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, D.Min. · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.