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The question of whether or not Peter is the Rock can be answered by analyzing the language utilized in these verses, as well as looking at how the Church viewed this subject historically. First, let’s analyze the question from a linguistic perspective, utilizing logic as well as non-Catholic commentary from language experts. If this is to be challenged, please challenge from a scholarly avenue, giving your challenge some substance as I’ve given my side here.
18 And I say to thee: That thou art (Petros) Peter; and upon this (petra) rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
St. Matthew 16:18
Here are the two definitions of the words from Strong’s dictionary, including their reference numbers:
4074 Petros {pet’-ros} apparently a primary word; TDNT - 6:100,835; n pr m 1) one of the twelve disciples of Jesus 2) a rock or a stone
4073 petra {pet’-ra} from the same as 4074; TDNT - 6:95,834; n f 1) a rock, cliff or ledge 1a) a projecting rock, crag, rocky ground 1b) a rock, a large stone 1c) metaph. a man like a rock, by reason of his firmness and strength of soul.
In Aramaic, the language that would have been spoken during this exchange, the word for both would have been “kephas” or “cephas” therefore saying “you are Kephas and upon this kephas I will build My Church.”
These definitions are not Catholic, they are linguistic. They can be found on Catholic and Protestant sites. Several Protestant language scholars have agreed that Peter is in fact the Rock upon which Jesus built His church. Here’s a commentary from a noted Protestant Greek scholar Marvin Vincent:
“The reference of petra to Christ is forced and unnatural. The obvious reference of the word is to Peter. The emphatic this naturally refers to the nearest antecedent; and besides, the metaphor is thus weakened, since Christ appears here, not as the foundation, but as the architect: ‘On this rock will I build.’”
Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, Vol. 1, 91-92.
The issue of Peter being the Rock is understanding of the verses as they are spoken. Language scholars of many Christian denominations (non-Catholic) agree. Among them are R.T. France, D.A. Carson, Robert McAfee, and others. Also, a popular Bible commentary book named “Peake’s Commentary,” a Protestant commentary on the Bible agrees (check page 787 of the 1962 edition). Another Protestant commentary from the Zondervan NIV Bible states this:
“The rock on which Jesus would build His Church has been identified as 1: Jesus Himself (His work of salvation by dying for us on the cross); 2
eter (the first great leader in the Church at Jerusalem).”
Based on this it seems that the Protestant commentators are split on whether Jesus refers to Himself as the Rock, though none of the ones I mentioned are split as to Peter being the rock.
Next, let’s find out what the early Christians believed?
Tertullian [160-240 AD] The Prescription Against Heretics
“Was anything withheld from the knowledge of Peter, who is called ‘the rock on which the Church would be built’ [Matt. 16:18] with the power of ‘loosing and binding in heaven and on earth’ [Matt. 16:19]?” (Demurrer Against the Heretics 22 [A.D. 200]).
Origen [185-254 AD] De Principiis (Book IV)
“You cannot deny that you are aware that in the city of Rome the episcopal chair was given first to Peter; the chair in which Peter sat, the same who was head-that is why he is also called Cephas ‘Rock’]-of all the apostles; the one chair in which unity is maintained by all” (The Schism of the Donatists 2:2 [A.D. 367]).
Jerome, St [347-420 AD] To Pammachius Against John of Jerusalem
“I follow no leader but Christ and join in communion with none but your blessedness [Pope Damasus I], that is, with the chair of Peter. I know that this is the rock on which the Church has been built. Whoever eats the Lamb outside this house is profane. Anyone who is not in the ark of Noah will perish when the flood prevails” (Letters 15:2 [A.D. 396]).
Augustine of Hippo, St [354-430 AD] Letter 53 (A.D. 400)
"If the very order of episcopal succession is to be considered, how much more surely, truly, and safely do we number them from Peter himself, to whom, as to one representing the whole Church, the Lord said, ‘Upon this rock I will build my Church’ . . . [Matt. 16:18]. Peter was succeeded by Linus, Linus by Clement, Clement by Anacletus, Anacletus by Evaristus . . . " (Letters 53:1:2 [A.D. 412]).
18 And I say to thee: That thou art (Petros) Peter; and upon this (petra) rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
St. Matthew 16:18
Here are the two definitions of the words from Strong’s dictionary, including their reference numbers:
4074 Petros {pet’-ros} apparently a primary word; TDNT - 6:100,835; n pr m 1) one of the twelve disciples of Jesus 2) a rock or a stone
4073 petra {pet’-ra} from the same as 4074; TDNT - 6:95,834; n f 1) a rock, cliff or ledge 1a) a projecting rock, crag, rocky ground 1b) a rock, a large stone 1c) metaph. a man like a rock, by reason of his firmness and strength of soul.
In Aramaic, the language that would have been spoken during this exchange, the word for both would have been “kephas” or “cephas” therefore saying “you are Kephas and upon this kephas I will build My Church.”
These definitions are not Catholic, they are linguistic. They can be found on Catholic and Protestant sites. Several Protestant language scholars have agreed that Peter is in fact the Rock upon which Jesus built His church. Here’s a commentary from a noted Protestant Greek scholar Marvin Vincent:
“The reference of petra to Christ is forced and unnatural. The obvious reference of the word is to Peter. The emphatic this naturally refers to the nearest antecedent; and besides, the metaphor is thus weakened, since Christ appears here, not as the foundation, but as the architect: ‘On this rock will I build.’”
Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, Vol. 1, 91-92.
The issue of Peter being the Rock is understanding of the verses as they are spoken. Language scholars of many Christian denominations (non-Catholic) agree. Among them are R.T. France, D.A. Carson, Robert McAfee, and others. Also, a popular Bible commentary book named “Peake’s Commentary,” a Protestant commentary on the Bible agrees (check page 787 of the 1962 edition). Another Protestant commentary from the Zondervan NIV Bible states this:
“The rock on which Jesus would build His Church has been identified as 1: Jesus Himself (His work of salvation by dying for us on the cross); 2
eter (the first great leader in the Church at Jerusalem).”Based on this it seems that the Protestant commentators are split on whether Jesus refers to Himself as the Rock, though none of the ones I mentioned are split as to Peter being the rock.
Next, let’s find out what the early Christians believed?
Tertullian [160-240 AD] The Prescription Against Heretics
“Was anything withheld from the knowledge of Peter, who is called ‘the rock on which the Church would be built’ [Matt. 16:18] with the power of ‘loosing and binding in heaven and on earth’ [Matt. 16:19]?” (Demurrer Against the Heretics 22 [A.D. 200]).
Origen [185-254 AD] De Principiis (Book IV)
“You cannot deny that you are aware that in the city of Rome the episcopal chair was given first to Peter; the chair in which Peter sat, the same who was head-that is why he is also called Cephas ‘Rock’]-of all the apostles; the one chair in which unity is maintained by all” (The Schism of the Donatists 2:2 [A.D. 367]).
Jerome, St [347-420 AD] To Pammachius Against John of Jerusalem
“I follow no leader but Christ and join in communion with none but your blessedness [Pope Damasus I], that is, with the chair of Peter. I know that this is the rock on which the Church has been built. Whoever eats the Lamb outside this house is profane. Anyone who is not in the ark of Noah will perish when the flood prevails” (Letters 15:2 [A.D. 396]).
Augustine of Hippo, St [354-430 AD] Letter 53 (A.D. 400)
"If the very order of episcopal succession is to be considered, how much more surely, truly, and safely do we number them from Peter himself, to whom, as to one representing the whole Church, the Lord said, ‘Upon this rock I will build my Church’ . . . [Matt. 16:18]. Peter was succeeded by Linus, Linus by Clement, Clement by Anacletus, Anacletus by Evaristus . . . " (Letters 53:1:2 [A.D. 412]).
