Breakdown of Matthew 16:19

"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”" — Jesus isn't just giving Peter authority; He's entrusting him with the "keys" to the kingdom, which symbolize access and stewardship. This means Peter, and by extension the apostles, are empowered…

Matthew 16:19 Meaning Explained

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Matthew 16:19

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus isn't just giving Peter authority; He's entrusting him with the "keys" to the kingdom, which symbolize access and stewardship. This means Peter, and by extension the apostles, are empowered to open the door of faith to the world and to guide what is permissible or forbidden within God's household, with heaven's confirmation.

What Matthew 16:19 means

Right after Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is, and then who they say he is, Peter boldly declares him to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. In response, Jesus affirms Peter's confession and promises to build his church, declaring that the gates of hell won't prevail against it. This verse, Matthew 16:19, is Jesus' continuation of that profound declaration, bestowing a specific authority upon Peter, which also extends to the other apostles, concerning the kingdom of heaven.

Keys as Authority to Open and Close

Imagine being handed the keys to a magnificent, exclusive estate. What does that signify? In Jesus' words to Peter, 'the keys of the kingdom of heaven' weren't just symbolic; they represented a profound authority.

When Jesus promised Peter the 'keys of the kingdom of heaven,' He was entrusting him with significant authority. Historically, keys were symbols of stewardship and power, granting access and control.

Opening the Doors

Access to the Kingdom: The primary role of these keys was to open the door to God's kingdom. This meant Peter would be the first to officially preach the gospel message, unlocking the way for both Jews and Gentiles to enter into relationship with God through Christ. (See Acts 2 and 10).
Stewardship: Like a household steward, Peter was given responsibility for managing the affairs of God's house – the Church. This involved declaring the terms of salvation and guiding believers.

Binding and Loosing

Prohibiting and Permitting: The phrase 'bind and loose' was common in Jewish teaching, referring to declaring something forbidden or permitted. Jesus empowered Peter and, by extension, the apostles, to make authoritative declarations about what was lawful or unlawful in the life of the Church, based on God's will.
Divine Ratification: Crucially, these earthly pronouncements were not arbitrary. Whatever they 'bound' (declared forbidden) or 'loosed' (declared permitted) on earth was to be recognized and confirmed in heaven, indicating divine backing for their Spirit-guided decisions.

The Foundation of Faith, Not Flesh

Jesus' conversation with Peter wasn't just about authority; it was about the source of true understanding. What Peter confessed about Jesus wasn't just a smart guess.

Jesus' affirmation of Peter's confession – 'You are Christ, the Son of the living God' – is pivotal. He clarifies that this profound truth didn't come from human reasoning or observation alone.

Understand the original words

Original language

keysκλείς

kleis · Greek Noun

In Jewish cultural and rabbinic usage, keys represent administrative authority, stewardship, and the power to regulate or grant access. To have the keys of the kingdom is to possess the authority to proclaim the message that opens the way for entry into God's rule.

bind / looseδέω/λύω

deō / luō · Greek Verb

A term used for the authority given to the disciples to make authoritative decisions regarding doctrine and discipline. To 'bind' and 'loose' refers to forbidding or permitting actions based on the consistent application of God's revealed truth.

Historical context

Written: Mid-1st Century AD
Author: Traditionally attributed to the Apostle Matthew, though modern scholarship suggests it may have been compiled by others drawing on earlier traditions.
Location: Written likely in Galilee, with events set in Palestine.
Genre: Gospel (narrative with theological reflection) featuring a significant literary device of dialogue and theological pronouncements.

Historical background

This promise to Peter, given at Caesarea Philippi, wasn't just about his personal role, but about the authority that would be given to the early Church, empowering them to open the doors of the Kingdom to the world and establish its foundational teachings and practices.

c. AD 30— this verse
Peter's Confession
During Jesus' ministry, in Caesarea Philippi, Peter boldly confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. This pivotal moment of faith leads to Jesus' promise to Peter.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus taught about the Kingdom of Heaven, its laws, and its future establishment. His teachings provided the foundation for the Church.
AD 33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus' death and resurrection are the central redemptive acts that secure the foundation of the Church and validate His authority.
c. AD 33
Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the Gospel and fulfilling Jesus' promise of guidance. Peter is the first to preach.

Key themes

01Divine authority given
02Keys to the Kingdom
03Binding and Loosing
04Heavenly ratification

Cross-references

Isaiah 22:22

This passage speaks of giving someone 'the key of the house of David' to rule, directly paralleling the 'keys of the kingdom' given to Peter, signifying authority and stewardship.

Matthew 18:18

Jesus repeats the concept of binding and loosing, but this time to all the disciples, showing that the authority given to Peter was also shared with the wider apostolic community.

John 20:23

After His resurrection, Jesus grants His disciples the authority to forgive or retain sins, which is a crucial aspect of the 'binding and loosing' authority described in Matthew 16.

Acts 2:14-41

Peter is the first to use the 'keys' by boldly preaching the gospel after Pentecost, opening the door of faith to the Jewish people and leading thousands to believe.

Acts 10:1-48

Peter is instrumental in 'loosing' the Gentile believers from the Old Testament ceremonial laws by being the first to preach the gospel to them, demonstrating the expansion of God's kingdom.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 16:19: "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."

And I will give unto thee ... - A key is an instrument for opening a door. He that is in possession of it has the power of access, and has a general care of a house. Hence, in the Bible, a key is used as a symbol of superintendence an emblem of power and authority. See the Isaiah 22:22…
barnes

Matthew 16:13-19: "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?"

And when Jesus came to the coasts of Cesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that I the Son of man am? 14. And they said, Some [say,] John the Baptist; and other, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 15. He saith to them, But who do you say that I am? 16. And Simon Peter answering said, Thou art the Chri…

calvin

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What Matthew 16:19 means

Original language

keysκλείς

kleis · Greek Noun

bind / looseδέω/λύω

deō / luō · Greek Verb

Historical context

Written: Mid-1st Century AD
Author: Traditionally attributed to the Apostle Matthew, though modern scholarship suggests it may have been compiled by others drawing on earlier traditions.
Location: Written likely in Galilee, with events set in Palestine.
Genre: Gospel (narrative with theological reflection) featuring a significant literary device of dialogue and theological pronouncements.

Historical background

c. AD 30— this verse

Peter's Confession

During Jesus' ministry, in Caesarea Philippi, Peter boldly confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. This pivotal moment of faith leads to Jesus' promise to Peter.

c. AD 30-33

Jesus' Ministry and Teaching

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus taught about the Kingdom of Heaven, its laws, and its future establishment. His teachings provided the foundation for the Church.

AD 33

Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection

Jesus' death and resurrection are the central redemptive acts that secure the foundation of the Church and validate His authority.

c. AD 33

Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the Gospel and fulfilling Jesus' promise of guidance. Peter is the first to preach.