Who is the rock in Matthew 16:18 on which Jesus said He would build His church?
The rock in Matthew 16:18 is Christ Himself, not Peter. Scripture consistently uses rock symbolically, so it cannot suddenly make Peter the rock. The rock upon which Jesus said He would build His church is the only rock of Scripture, Christ Himself.
Les explains that Matthew 16:18 is a perfect example of symbolic language. After Jesus says, “thou art Peter, and upon this rock,” the question is whether the rock is Peter or Christ. Les answers that Christ is the rock all the way through Scripture, and it does not suddenly break to make Peter the rock. The rock upon which Jesus will, future tense, build His church is the only rock of Scripture, Christ Himself. Les also connects this to Exodus 17, where the rock was smitten, and to the work of the cross—His death, burial, and resurrection—which believers appropriate by faith.
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.
In Matthew 16:18, is the rock Peter or Christ?
The rock in Matthew 16:18 is Christ Himself, not Peter. Scripture consistently presents Christ as the rock, and the text says upon this rock He will build His church in the future tense. Peter is named Peter, but the rock is the only rock of Scripture, Christ.
What is the significance of 'I will build my church' being in the future tense?
The future tense indicates that the church would be built after Jesus spoke, and its foundation is Christ Himself—the only rock of Scripture—not Peter. It points to a future work tied to His death, burial, and resurrection, which believers appropriate by faith.
More Questions
Who is the rock in Matthew 16:18, Peter or Christ?
In Matthew 16:18 'upon this rock' is a symbolic use of the term, and the rock on which Christ will build His church is not Peter but Christ Himself, the only rock of Scripture.
Who is the rock Jesus refers to when He says 'upon this rock'?
In Matthew, Jesus' phrase 'upon this rock' refers to Himself, not to Peter; Peter's name means a stone, but the rock is Christ, and upon Christ He would found the Church.
Does "upon this rock" in Matthew 16 refer to Peter or to Christ?
In Matthew 16, "Thou art Peter" means a stone, but the "rock" in the next phrase refers to Christ himself, the rock on which He would found the Church.