Read: Matthew 16:13-20
I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church. (v. 18 NIV)
Is it a problem if Jesus called Peter a rock? Before the Protestant Reformation in the early 1500s, Bible commentators were fairly evenly divided between thinking that Jesus called Peter a rock and that he called Peter’s confession of faith the rock (v. 16). When Martin Luther suggested the latter view, and even that Christ himself might have been the rock, Catholics more uniformly opted for the former view. What is at stake here?
Nothing in verses 13-20 suggests that Jesus introduced any of the distinctive practices of one church versus another. Paul can call Christ the church’s only foundation (1 Cor. 3:11) and yet refer to the apostles and prophets as human foundations (Eph. 2:20). Peter did lead the Twelve in Jerusalem for the first dozen years of church history until James succeeded him (Acts 12:17). If Peter is the rock in Matthew 16:16, he’s a “stumbling stone” in verse 23, when he can’t accept Jesus predicting his death. Later Peter would deny Jesus three times (Matt. 26:69-75).
Still, Christ would recommission Peter three times (John 21:15-17). We need realistic models, who experienced rocky times but who were restored and lived exemplary lives of faithfulness, so that they comprise strong foundation stones for the church. Christ can use us similarly, as he builds his new temple, even if our position as living stones is well above ground level (1 Peter 2:5).
As you pray, ask God to help you be a building block for his kingdom.
Craig L. Blomberg is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He has written or edited more than 30 books, including a recently revised and expanded commentary on Matthew. He teaches regularly in churches, including his home church of Centennial Covenant in Littleton, CO. He and his wife Fran have two daughters and three grandchildren.
