The Rock

[hgaguero]

The Rock - The Greek word for ‘Peter’ is Petros (masculine); that for ‘rock’ is petra (feminine), but would not have Jesus been talking Arabic or Hebrew and not Greek and would not St. Matthew (since he wrote it) being a Jew also been speaking a different language than greek? What does that phrase mean in Hebrew and Arabic.

 

[Hypatia]

The Rock - The Greek word for ‘Peter’ is Petros (masculine); that for ‘rock’ is petra (feminine), but would not have Jesus been talking Arabic or Hebrew and not Greek and would not St. Matthew (since he wrote it) being a Jew also been speaking a different language than greek? What does that phrase mean in Hebrew and Arabic.

Not Arabic or Hebrew (the latter was in rather stark decline and not widely spoken at all during this period).

You are probably thinking of Aramaic/Syriac, which most Jews in the region would have spoken (my Aramaic is non-existent, for all practical purposes, but I think you lose the word play in Aramaic, and just get a repeat of the same word twice).

Greek was widely spoken at the time, as well, though.

 

[Abu]

When Jesus asked His apostles who do you say I am? Only Simon Peter answered “You are the Christ the Son of the living God.” For this answer, Jesus declared Peter “blessed” because this fact had been revealed to him “by My Father in heaven.” Jesus immediately renames Peter as “rock” – in Aramaic, “I tell you that you are rock (Kepha) and on this rock (Kepha) I will build My Church.” [See Mt 16:16-18].

 

[skydiv35]

a very good book on this topic is called “Upon This Rock” by Stephen Ray. It is a study of St Peter and the Primacy of Rome in scripture and the Early Church.

 

[NeedImprovement]

In a talk given by Father John Corapi on the subject, he first explained that in the Old Testament, frequently God was referred to metaphorically as “Rock”.

According to one author I read, God is referred to roughly 20 times in the Psalms as “Rock”.

One example would be Psalm 144:1 -

Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle.

Some other places in the Old Testament where this occurs :

• Deuteronomy 32:3-4,
• Deuteronomy 32:18
• 1 Samuel 2:2,
• 2 Samuel 22:2
• 2 Samuel 22:32
• 2 Samuel 23:3

… With honourable mention going to the stone (reference to Christ) in Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14 .

Then Father Corapi’s interpretation goes on to say that after Peter made his profession , “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God”, and Christ replied, “Thou art Peter( Kepha - as Abu points out) and upon this rock I shall build my Church”, Christ is actually saying to Peter, “I am going to graft you to myself.”

I found that to be a very thought provoking interpretation.

 

[Innocent3]

In a talk given by Father John Corapi on the subject, he first explained that in the Old Testament, frequently God was referred to metaphorically as “Rock”.

According to one author I read, God is referred to roughly 20 times in the Psalms as “Rock”.

One example would be Psalm 144:1 -

Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle.

Some other places in the Old Testament where this occurs :

• Deuteronomy 32:3-4,
• Deuteronomy 32:18
• 1 Samuel 2:2,
• 2 Samuel 22:2
• 2 Samuel 22:32
• 2 Samuel 23:3

… With honourable mention going to the stone (reference to Christ) in Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14 .

Then Father Corapi’s interpretation goes on to say that after Peter made his profession , “Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God”, and Christ replied, “Thou art Peter( Kepha - as Abu points out) and upon this rock I shall build my Church”, Christ is actually saying to Peter, “I am going to graft you to myself.”

I found that to be a very thought provoking interpretation.

Wow. So glad I read this, Father Corapi RULES.

It is also noteworthy that St. Paul calls Peter Cephas 8 times in his letters.