MATTHEW 16:13-20
YOU ARE PETER (2)

This is the second part of a study on Jesus’ declaration concerning Peter in Matthew 16:18. The Lord said to him, You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. This passage has given rise to many interpretations, the main point of discussion being the meaning of the word ‘rock’. What did Jesus mean by ‘on this rock’? What is the rock?
In our previous lesson, we explained the three main views. Firstly, there is the view that Peter is the rock. Secondly, some have supposed that Peter’s confession of Jesus is the rock. The rock therefore points back to v. 16 where Peter declared, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And thirdly, other people believe that Christ Himself is the rock. We saw that none of these explanations are completely satisfactory. They each have their own difficulties.
So today, I would like to put forward a fourth possibility which, I think, presents fewer problems. I will let you to be the judge.