Bible Discussion Thread

RE. Matthew 16:18

While Peter was arguably the most impulsively outspoken disciple and unofficially considered a leader among the disciples, The LORD expressed this verse in such a way as to distinguish Peter from the Church's True and Actual HEAD, namely, LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF.

The proper name Peter translates from the Greek proper noun (transliterated "Petros"; pronounced "PET-ros"), meaning a stone or a small rock. Compare The LORD addressing Simon (Peter) as recorded in John 1:42: "When JESUS beheld him (Simon Peter), HE said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas {the Greek rendering of the Aramaic}, which is by interpretation, A stone {Grk. noun "petros"}." From that point on, Simon (the Greek rendering of the Hebrew proper name Simeon) was commonly addressed by the surname Peter (a stone or small rock).

By great contrast, when The LORD proclaimed, "upon This ROCK I will build MY Church", HE identified HIMSELF as the Church's ROCK. Here, the word "ROCK" translates from the Greek noun root (transliterated "petra"; pronounced "PET-ra"), meaning a rock of immense and formidable size which covers a massive geographical footprint (cp. Mt. 7:25-25; 27:60; Mk. 15:46; Lu. 6:48; 8:6 & 13). The reader may think of the Rock of Gibraltar in contrast to a pebble.

Additionally, "PETRA" never refers to Peter, but always identifies LORD JESUS CHRIST (cp. Rom. 9:33; 1Cor. 10:4; 1Pet. 2:8).

Hi Phillip Good Stuff Brother!

Hi Philip , hope you don't mind me butting on here . I've always believed that the Rock is actually Peters confession : Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God ,that it is also the rock of offense and the stumbling block of the Jews , the rock that the house is builder on that doesn't collapse when the storm comes and the rock cut out of the mountain , without hands in Daniel Ch 2 , V 34 . This rock is a definite theme I believe and well worth studying if you feel so inclined . I imagine that you have already guessed its significance .