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
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, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.