Peter’s “Keys to Heaven”: Authority to Preach the Gospel, Not Papal Supremacy

(Matthew 16:17-19)

Matthew 16:17-19 is one of the most widely debated passages in Christian theology, especially concerning the authority given to Peter. Roman Catholics argue that this passage establishes Peter as the first pope, granting him supreme authority over the Church. Protestants, on the other hand, assert that Peter’s role in this passage is not about papal supremacy but rather about the authority given to the Church to bind and loose—that is, to proclaim the Gospel, which either saves or condemns souls. A close examination of the text, alongside other scriptural references, reveals that the “keys to heaven” represent the power of the Gospel to admit people into the Kingdom or exclude them based on their response to Christ—not an exclusive authority passed down to a succession of popes.

Understanding Matthew 16:17-19 in Context

The passage reads as follows:

“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’” (Matthew 16:17-19, NIV)

To understand this passage, we must first examine three key elements: (1) the meaning of “this rock,” (2) the significance of the “keys of the kingdom,” and (3) the implications of “binding and loosing.”

Who or What is “This Rock”?

A common Catholic interpretation is that Jesus called Peter the rock upon which the Church would be built, making him the foundation of the Church. However, a deeper linguistic and theological analysis challenges this view.

In the Greek text, Jesus uses two different words: “You are Peter (Πέτρος, Petros)” and “upon this rock (πέτρα, petra) I will build my church.” The word Petros (a small stone) differs from petra (a large rock or bedrock). Many Protestant scholars argue that the distinction suggests that Peter himself is not the rock but that his confession—“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16)—is the true foundation of the Church.

This interpretation aligns with other scriptural references where Christ is the true rock:

• “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

• “They drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4)

Therefore, it is not Peter himself but his declaration of Christ’s identity that forms the foundation of the Church. Jesus, not Peter, is the cornerstone upon which the Church is built (Ephesians 2:20).

What Are the “Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven”?

The imagery of keys signifies authority. In Isaiah 22:22, Eliakim is given the “key to the house of David,” representing his administrative authority in the kingdom. Similarly, Jesus entrusts Peter with the keys, not as a ruler, but as one who proclaims the means of entry into God’s Kingdom—the Gospel.

This interpretation is confirmed in Acts 2 and Acts 10, where Peter uses these “keys” to open the door of salvation to both Jews and Gentiles:

• In Acts 2, Peter preaches at Pentecost, and 3,000 people are added to the Church (Acts 2:41). This marks the opening of the Kingdom to the Jews.

• In Acts 10, Peter preaches to Cornelius, a Gentile, and the Holy Spirit falls upon him and his household (Acts 10:44-48), signifying the opening of the Kingdom to the Gentiles.

Thus, Peter’s “keys” are not about controlling entry into heaven like a gatekeeper but about declaring the Gospel, which grants or denies access to salvation based on one’s faith in Christ.

What Does “Binding and Loosing” Mean?

Jesus tells Peter, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Catholic tradition interprets this as granting the pope infallible authority over doctrine. However, the same authority is later given to all the apostles in Matthew 18:18, indicating that it is not unique to Peter.

The Jewish background of “binding and loosing” refers to rabbinic authority to interpret and apply God’s law (see Mishnah, Tractate Avot 3:11). In this context, it means that the Church, through its proclamation of the Gospel, declares the conditions by which people are either bound in sin or loosed through faith in Christ.

John 20:23 further clarifies this:

“If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:23)

This reinforces the idea that the authority given to Peter was the same given to all the apostles and, by extension, the Church. The Church’s role is to declare forgiveness through Christ, not to hold supreme authority over believers.

Did Peter Pass His Authority to Popes?

The Catholic claim that Peter’s authority was passed down through an unbroken line of popes is historically and biblically unfounded. The New Testament provides no evidence of Peter having a supreme position over the other apostles.

• At the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), James, not Peter, presides over the discussion and delivers the final judgment.

• Paul rebukes Peter for hypocrisy in Galatians 2:11-14, showing that Peter was not infallible.

• Peter refers to himself as simply a “fellow elder” (1 Peter 5:1), not as the supreme leader of the Church.

Moreover, early church history does not support the idea of a monarchical papacy. The structure of the early Church was collegial, with multiple elders leading local congregations (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).

Conclusion: The Church, Not the Pope, Holds the Keys

The “keys to the kingdom” given to Peter were not about establishing a papal office but about proclaiming the Gospel, which opens or closes the door to eternal life. This authority was not exclusive to Peter but was extended to all the apostles and the Church as a whole.

The Catholic doctrine of papal supremacy is a later theological development, not a biblical teaching. The true foundation of the Church is Jesus Christ, and the Church’s role is to proclaim His Gospel, calling people to repentance and faith. The power to “bind and loose” is the power to declare the terms of salvation—not to control it, but to announce it. Salvation belongs to the Lord (Psalm 3:8), and no human, not even Peter, has the right to decide who enters heaven. That authority belongs to Christ alone.