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  Peter=Rock
So, Jesus is saying; "Peter you are  rock, you are the rock that I am going to build My kingdom on, just like the stone in Daniel 2."

St. Peter as the Rock!

 READ: Matthew 16: 17-19. Mat 16:17 And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. Mat 16:18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
 Mat 16:19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven. (NAB)


TIMOTHY GRAY, The Bible Foundation for the Papacy, 'Rock'

Throughout the Old Testament Yahweh is called the 'Rock'.

Psalm 95:1 (1) Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; cry out to the rock of our salvation.

You will see this in many of the Psalms and many places in the Old Testament.

Why is God called 'Rock'?

Because the word 'tsuwr' (tsoor) in Hebrew means rock, but it also means 'refuge'. Also many of the words in Hebrew that mean rock also metaphorically symbolize 'protection', refuge or fortress. The Jews take the image of rock meaning something solid, something concrete, something weighty and that becomes a term for God. Because it signifies God's protection, God's steadfast love, His integrity that He is always a solid refuge and fortress for those who call upon Him. Proverbs 18:10,"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous man runs into it and is safe."

There is only one other Hebrew person who is called rock in the Old Testament.

The person is Abraham. Abraham is the only one in the Old Testament who is called 'friend of God' and he is given God's own title of rock. Aristotle once said; "Friend's have a common bond", and so the friend of God is also called rock.

Isaiah 51:1 Listen to me, you who pursue justice, who seek the LORD; Look to the rock from which you were hewn, to the quarry from which you were digged;

What does that mean?

In v. 2, there is a parallelism and so we are told what is meant by line 1.

"Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth;"

So, look to the rock from which you were hewn - 'look to Abraham'.

He is the ancient 'father' of all the Israelites. (ME) If Abraham is rock & father in the Old Testament then wouldn't it be fitting, if Peter is rock in the New Testament to also be called rock & father? back to Gray The rock & the quarry are metaphors for Abraham & Sarah, parents of all the Israelites.

So, here is an example of Abraham being called rock from which everyone else (all the good Israelites) are hewn. For Jesus to call Peter rock; Mat 16:18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

We might not see that as anything significant. But for the Jews that is a phrase of great dignity, to be called a rock. Only Yahweh had been called rock except for Abraham, the Patriarch! For Jesus to call Peter rock, He is basically saying; "Peter you are so associated to me that your name will be rock just like Abraham was so associated with Yahweh's plan in the Old Covenant that he was given the term rock.

There is great symbolism in that name rock. But that is not the only reason why Peter is called rock.

In the Old Testament & for the Jews there is an important rock. There is one rock that stands out among all the other rocks. In fact if you have ever gone to Israel it is covered with rocks, big stones and rocks everywhere. It is a very rocky terrain.

But there is one rock that sticks out for the Jews!

That is the rock that is the Foundation Stone for the Temple. It was so special that the rabbis had all kinds of traditions about this stone.

It was believed that when the waters parted in Creation the first land to appear was that rock, that the Temple was built on. It was also believed by the rabbis that this stone was the very stone upon which Abraham offered up Isaac. That when Abraham offered up Isaac on Mt. Moriah in Genesis 22 there was a large rock and it was a rock that happened to be the foundation stone of the Temple.

Why would the Jews see an association with the rock between Abraham & Isaac- and the Temple Stone? Because Solomon chooses to build the Temple on the very place where Abraham offered up Isaac, Mt. Moriah.

(ME) Mat 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon here. (DR)

back to Gray 2Chron. 3:1 And Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, in mount Moriah,

Gen 22:2 Then God said: "Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you."

The Temple is built on the very place where Abraham offered up Isaac.

That becomes the most sacred place for all of Israel. In fact according to the Torah the Temple can only be built on Mt. Moriah, where Abraham offered up Isaac. Which means the Jews can't build the Temple anywhere else in the world! Not even anyplace in Jerusalem but only on the Temple mount.

That rock is still there until this day. Whenever you see pictures of Jerusalem you see this golden dome. That dome is called the 'Dome of the Rock'. The Dome is covered with real gold. That dome is a Muslim mosque now. It is the third holiest place for all of Islam. It is built over where the place for the Temple was. The rock is as big as a room.

For the Muslims it was on this rock that Abraham offered up Ismael. Remember Ismael becomes the 'Father' of the Arabs. In the Koran it is Abraham offers up Ismael. The Jews according to the Muslims changed the text, putting in Isaac. Also the Muslims say this is where Mohammed ascended into heaven, from this rock. It is also the place where Jesus and Moses came during Mohammed's 'Transfiguration', Jesus and Moses appeared with Mohammed. You can see how the Muslims take the Christian and Jewish stories and subvert them. (ME) [2.135] And they say: Be Jews or Christians, you will be on the right course. Say: Nay! (we follow) the religion of

Ibrahim, the Hanif, and he was not one of

the polytheists. (excerpt from the Koran)

Back to Gray, That 'rock' is the Holy Place. It is the place where all the sacrifices took place in the Temple. That is why Solomon chose to build the Temple there. And why it had a great significance for the Jews even to Jews of Jesus' day.

So, when there is talk of the 'House of the Lord' being built on a rock they would think of this rock. Just to give you the kind of significance that was put into this rock. One of the rabbis in speaking of Creation says; "What that the Holy One, Blessed be he do when He created? Like a man setting in place a central pole of a tent, He raised his right foot and drove the stone (the foundation stone that we are talking about) into the very bottom of the deeps and made it the 'Pillar' of the earth."

So, not only is this the 'Foundation Stone' of the Temple but also the 'Foundation Stone' of the world! Then the rabbi goes on. "Therefore it is called the 'stickle stone' (?) for it is the very navel of the earth from which the whole earth is stretched out. And upon the 'stone' is the 'House of the Lord', the Temple."

There is also some Jewish lore that says; "That the Foundation Stone was the capstone over hell". And that it was the sacrifices on this capstone that bound the powers of hell!

The sacrifices kept them from coming out against God's people.

Gen 22:17 your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies,

Mat 16:18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

Back to Gray, Why do we point this out?

When Jesus says to Peter; "You are Rock, and upon this Rock I will build my Temple (Church)." What does that evoke for the Jews? Jesus is saying; "Peter you are the new 'foundation stone'." "I am building a new 'house' for the Lord and you are going to be it's basis." Remember in Christ we become a 'new creation'. So, Peter is becoming a 'new creation' as well. Is there any connection with Peter being the rock and the Temple rock?

Let's go back to Matthew 16 and see. There are other clues to this.

Mat 16:18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld (the powers of death - literally, the power of Hades) shall not prevail against it. The power of Hades will not prevail against Peter because he is the rock - the capstone that binds the power of Satan and the powers of hell. Just as the rock of the Temple from which all the sacrifices were offered bound the power of Satan, so likewise this 'new rock', the Papacy & Peter will bind the power of hell and the 'gates of Hades' will not prevail against it.

To really see the significance of Jesus being a builder who builds on the rock you have to go back earlier in the gospel. Jesus talks about building on 'the rock' in this gospel at the end of his discourse on the 'Sermon on the mount'.

Mat 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (NIV)

Who does this passage remind you of? "You will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock?" Solomon is 'The wise man for all of Israel'! Solomon is known for 3 things.

First: being the son of David.

Second: for his wisdom.

Third: he is known for being the Temple builder.

(ME) Mat 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon here. (DR)

Back to Gray, He builds the Temple and he builds it on Mt. Moriah. So, Solomon is the wise man who builds the House of the Lord on the rock. Now Jesus says; "Peter, I am building - (in other words Jesus is saying that he is the new Solomon) - My Church (My Temple) and you are rock and I am going to build it on this Rock." Jesus now is the new Solomon, the new wise man who builds His house on the Rock!

(ME) 1Ti 3:15 But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.

back to Gray Now does Jesus see himself as the new Solomon? "Behold a greater than Solomon here." Right here in the gospel of Matthew Jesus relates to Himself as the new Solomon!

There were lots of Jewish expectations that when the Messiah comes He would bring about the new Temple of God. (ME) Rev 3:12 " '"The victor (the one who endures) I will make into a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never leave it again. On him I will inscribe the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, as well as my new name."

back to Gray In fact, there is a legend that this Temple would not be built by human hands! Many, even today, believe that when the Messiah comes the Temple will just appear! In fact, in the trail in the gospel of Mark, Mark 14:57 Some took the stand and testified falsely against him, alleging,

Mar 14:58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.'"

That goes back to this expectation that the Temple will not be made with hands. What is that Temple? It is Peter! Peter is the foundations stone, that first stone of the Temple not made with hands, it is going to be begotten.

This idea of the Church as the Temple was the predominant picture that early Christians had of the Church. We see this in Paul and also in Peter's First Letter, chapter 2. If you look at First Letter of Peter he talks about Old Testament texts that talk about rock. He talks about how you are a 'living stone' in this Temple.

Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God,

Eph 2:20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone.

In order to understand what is happening in Matthew 16 you have to first understand Jesus as the 'builder'. Jesus the 'Temple builder'! That is why He calls Peter rock.

There is one other mention of rock in Scripture that is significant and it is in Daniel 2.

In Daniel 2, Daniel interprets the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar. The king had a nightmare and he asks; "Who can interpret my dream?" He says; "Tell me what my dream is and then interpret it." Daniel steps forth and says that he tell the king his dream and interpret it.

Dan 2:31 "In your vision, O king, you saw a statue, very large and exceedingly bright, terrifying in appearance as it stood before you. The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs bronze, the legs iron, its feet partly iron and partly tile. While you looked at the statue, a stone which was hewn from a mountain without a hand being put to it, struck its iron and tile feet, breaking them in pieces. The iron, tile, bronze, silver, and gold all crumbled at once, fine as the chaff on the threshing floor in summer, and the wind blew them away without leaving a trace. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

You have gold, silver, bronze, & iron mixed with clay, representing 4 kingdoms. These represent 4 kingdoms that will come. Which will be the 4 kingdoms that will rule over Israel in the next 500 yrs. The Babylonians, the Medopersians, the Greeks and finally the Romans. Then Daniel says; "You saw O king a stone, a small stone coming down, it hit the statue in the head and crushed it shattered each part till it crumbled to the ground."

This little stone shattered all these kingdoms. Then this little stone grows and grows until it becomes a mighty mountain that covers the whole earth!

Dan 2:45 That is the meaning of the stone you saw hewn from the mountain without a hand being put to it, which broke in pieces the tile, iron, bronze, silver, and gold. The great God has revealed to the king what shall be in the future; this is exactly what you dreamed, and its meaning is sure."

The stone is the kingdom of God! That little stone is the 'kingdom of God'.

So, Jesus says; "Peter you are rock, you are the rock that I am going to build My kingdom on, just like the stone in Daniel 2."

There are all kinds of images with the word rock. If you understand the Old Testament imagery of rock you begin to understand the significance of what Jesus is telling Peter. (ME) Remember the Jews knew, for the most part, what you and I have to learn. That is probably one reason why Jesus is so hard on those who 'refuse' to believe. We sit here and think they should have believed just on the evidence we see. But actually they saw and understood much more, especially the leaders, the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Because they would know all of this background information and still refuse to accept Jesus! back to Gray He is saying here that He is going to build His New Church. That Peter is going to be the 'New Temple', 'Kingdom of God', (the small stone) that will grow and cover the whole earth.



 ("THIS ROCK", April'96 p. 19)
Further light is shed on the role of Peter as rock, as foundation of Christ's Church, by the book of Daniel. Vladimir Soloviev, a member of the Russian Church but an apologist for the Papacy, calls attention to a series of two verses, Daniel 7:13, 18, 27 and Daniel 2:34-35, 45. Daniel 7:13 is the key passage for the title "son of man" which our Lord applied to Himself (cf. Matthew 16:13). The verses from Daniel 2 tell of a fifth kingdom which comes like a gigantic stone to destroy and supplant the four pagan empires.

Although the New Testament does refer to Christ as Rock, he never applied the image to himself. Instead, he consistently used the language of Daniel 7:13, "son of man". If the stone of Daniel 2 represented Christ, this would mean that Christ himself would become the great mountain which filled the earth and replaced the pagan empires. Christ himself, in other words, would be the institutional Church. But this interpretation would only confuse and distort the imagery used by the sacred writer.

It comes to this. Daniel 7:18 and 27 state unequivocally that the fifth kingdom is that of "the saints of the Most High."

Obviously (says Soloviev) the fifth kingdom is the universal Church which Christ established.

Now both Daniel and Matthew give us the title "son of man' and "rock" of the Church. There can be no doubt that "son of man" in both Daniel and Matthew denotes the same person, the Messiah. By analogy, "rock" must bear in the same sense in both passages. In Matthew, Peter is rock. Therefore the rock (stone) in Daniel must "equally foreshadow the original trustee of monarchical authority in the Universal Church," that is to say Peter.


 to Dr. Hahn -

2. Jesus gave Simon Peter His pledge to build His Church upon Peter!

NOTICE: Jesus said; "I will build MY CHURCH," [JESUS' CHURCH] not Peter's Church, so the church built upon Peter is the Church of Jesus Christ!

(ME) I would like to add a note about the word "Church". Jesus only uses the word "Church" twice in the gospels. The first time is right here, when He founded His Church on St. Peter. The second when He in [Matthew 18:17] (FCD P. 273) transferred to the Apostles a whole series of powers - i.e. the power of binding and loosing also legislative, juridical and punitive power. CCC Par. 553,

In [Matthew 18:18] The Power "to bind and loose" connotes the authority to absolve sins, to pronounce doctrinal judgments, and to make disciplinary decisions in the Church. Par. 881, The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of the Apostles united to it's head. Back to Dr. Hahn - 3. Jesus gave Peter the, "Key's of the Kingdom of Heaven". When Jesus speaks of the, "Key's of the Kingdom", He is referring to an Old Testament passage. (ISAIAH 22:20-22.) Isa 22:20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliacim the son of Helcias, (21) And I will clothe him with thy robe, and will strengthen him with thy girdle, and will give thy power into his hand: and he shall be as a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Juda.

(22) And I will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder: and he shall open, and none shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open.

We see in this passage that the Prime Minister was given the "Key's of the Kingdom". By entrusting to Peter the, "Key's of the Kingdom", Jesus established the office of Prime Minister for administering the church as His Kingdom on earth. The "Key's" then, are a symbol of Peter's office and Primacy to be handed onto his successors, thus it has been handed down through the ages! In the Old Testament the King would appoint a head steward or "Prime Minister", who had the authority not only over the other stewards in the household, for example: there might be a person in charge of the kitchen, and another in charge of the treasury, etc... All officials reported to him, all official documents required his seal, all matters of state came under his scrutiny. He also had the authority to give orders in the Kings Name; even to signing the Kings Name on documents! (In other words "the Prime Minister", would have the complete trust of the King and in all pertinent matters the Authority normally reserved for the King)! If Jesus was founding the Church upon Himself, then giving Peter the "Key's", makes no sense! (FCD, P. 287,)

Christ made Peter the foundation of His Church, that is, the guarantor of her unity and unshakable strength, and promised her a duration that will not pass away (Mt. 16:18). However, the unity and solidity of the Church is not possible without the right Faith. As such he must be infallible in the official promulgation of Faith, in his own person and in his successors since by Christ's decree the Church is to continue for all time. Again, Christ bestowed on Peter (and on his successors) a comprehensive power of binding and loosing. As in Rabbinical speech one understood by binding and loosing also the authentic declaration of the law, so the power is also therefore contained therein of authentically declaring the law of the New Covenant, the Gospel. God in Heaven will confirm the Pope's judgment. This supposes that, in his capacity of supreme Doctor of the Faith, he is preserved from error.

Catholic Dictionary, P. 301,

[Matthew 28:19-20] "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them...[...] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you;"

This teaching is infallible: "And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world" (ibid.)

(ME) What good would it do for Jesus to tell His Church to teach unless He gave them some way to teach the Truth! We also know that Jesus is the Head of the Household, [Matthew 10:25], "If they have called the master of the house Be-elzebul, how much more will they malign those of His household."

This is also a prophecy from Jesus that the Head of His Church. (the master whom He appoints): and the rest of His Church, (household); [or as Paul says "the household of God"; 1 Tim 3:15], will be accused of being controlled by the evil one!

Jesus; as Head of the Household is in charge of the Keys, [Revelation 1:18]; "...I have the Keys of Death and Hades." & [3:7], "...who has the Key of David"; Jesus can designate someone to watch over the Household while He is away. He can choose a "Head Steward", and give him the "Keys", which open all the doors, so the head steward would have the POWER to make decisions in his master's absence, having all authority given to him, to run the Household. Jesus does this in [Matthew 16:18]. Jesus did not give the "Keys" to the other Apostles! (John 21:15-17) "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs..." Jesus doesn't make this statement to any other apostle, He is putting Peter in a position of leadership! Jesus as head shepherd, [John 10:16]

"I am the good shepherd"; designates, to take care of the flock, Peter; as He says; "Feed My lambs." [John 21:15-17] To feed the lambs would be the act of the shepherd or whoever he designates. Making Peter the Head of the Church Jesus established! Jesus did not tell the other Apostles to "feed His lambs".

(FCD, P. 281,) The primacy was conferred when Christ, after His Resurrection, gave the mandate to Peter, after the latter's threefold assurance of His love: "Feed my lambs!. . . Tend my sheep!. . . Feed my sheep!" (John 21:15-17).

(ME) I would like to point out that the "lambs" could be seen not only as the children and the sheep as the adults but the lambs might also be the neophytes, the new believers and the sheep the Christians who are old in the faith. Thereby covering the whole "body of Christ"!

Back to the FCD Here, (in the gospel of John), as in Matthew 16:18, the words are directed solely and immediately to Peter. The "lambs" and the "sheep" designate Christ's whole flock, that is, the whole Church (cf. John 10). "Feed" in ancient and biblical language means, in its application to human beings, rule or govern (cf. Acts 20:28). By Christ's thrice mandate, Peter obtained, not re-appointment to the Apostolic office - he did not lose this through his denial - but the supreme power of government over the Church.

(FCD P. 287,) Christ installed Peter (and his successors) as supreme pastor over the whole flock (John 21:15-17). The task of teaching Christian truth and of protecting it from error is part of the function of the supreme pastor. But he could not fulfill this task if, in the exercise of his supreme teaching office, he himself was subject to error. Christ prayed that Peter should be fortified in faith and commissioned him to fortify his bretheren. Luke 22:31: "Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and thou, being once converted, confirm thy bretheren." The reason Christ's praying for Peter especially was that Peter, after his own conversion, should confirm the bretheren in their faith (Lk. 22:32), which clearly indicates Peter's position as head of the Apostles. Peter's leading position in the primitive community shows that he fulfilled the Lord's mandate.

Now, if these words are directed to Peter personally, then they must, in accordance with Matthew 16:18, be also understood as referring to those in whom Peter is perpetuated as Head of the Church; for the endangering of faith, which exists at all times, makes the protection of the faith a pressing task of the Head of the Church at all times. In order to fulfill this task effectively, in matters of faith and morals infallibility is essential.

PRAY - COME HOLY SPIRIT

Whenever the 12 Apostles names are mentioned, Peter's name is always listed first! [MATTHEW 10:2-4 ; MARK 3:16-19; LUKE 6:13-16; ACTS 1:13]

Jesus chose Peter as the foundation stone; (THE ROCK)! [MATTHEW 16:18]

Jesus told Peter to feed His lambs! [John 21:15-17]

Peter was Head of the early Church, as seen in the fact that he was the first spokesman for the early church! Peter was the first in the new Church to preach the Gospel message on which all other preaching would be based!

In the ACTS of the APOSTLES 1:15-26; we see Peter being the first one to address the gathered believers! In ACTS 1:16: "My brothers the scripture had to be fulfilled ..." Then Peter goes on to say that they choose someone to fill Judas' place. Peter finished his discourse in verse 22; in the next verse the Apostles are already following his orders!

NO QUESTIONS!

When Peter spoke whatever he said was considered the law!

Peter was responsible for most of the growth of the early Church! [ACTS 4:4 ]

After a discourse given by Peter; "the number of men grew to about five thousand."

Peter states that only he and certain other people were chosen to preach the Gospel! [ACTS 10:41]; "not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people."

We see that the Apostles were chosen to preach the Gospel, and the people that the Holy Spirit chooses through them; such as Mathias!

Peter's name is mentioned in the New Testament 195 times, the next would be the Apostle John, whose name appears 29 times.

In [GALATIANS 1:18], we see that Paul goes to Peter on matters of the Faith! In [EPHESIANS 2:19-20]; Paul tells us; Eph 2:19 "Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners: but you are fellow citizens with the saints and the domestics of God, Eph 2:20 Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone:"

This statement shows that Jesus set up the Church, through the Apostles, which as the Capstone He holds together. It also shows clearly that the Church that we all should be following is the one of the Apostles! This is one proof of the Catholic Church being the True Church, the fact that we can trace our line of Popes from John Paul II all the way back to Peter, to Jesus!

AGAIN [MATTHEW 16:18]!

One last point!
I am not an expert in ancient Greek so I have never offered this particular teaching before but it is often expressed to me.
I have people that say St. Peter could not be the 'rock' that Jesus refers to in Mt. 16 because Jesus changes from the feminine to the masculine gender when He talks with St. Peter. The following is an explanation 'gleaned' from CatholicPages.com

"Now people could say, "Wait a second. There is a distinction in the Greek language between petros," Peter's name and petra. Petros can mean stone, whereas petra can often mean "big rock." The problem with that is two-fold. First of all, Jesus probably didn't speak Greek when He was with the disciples. I mean that is held by 99.9 percent of all scholars. It's overwhelmingly unlikely that Jesus in His normal conversations spoke Greek. What's almost certain is that He spoke Aramaic and in the Aramaic there is only one word that could possibly be used and Kouman and other scholars have pointed to the fact that if Jesus spoke Aramaic, He only could have said, "You are Cephus, and on this Cephus I build my Church." So given our knowledge of the Aramaic language, there is no possibility for Jesus to have made the distinction between "little stone" and "big rock." The Aramaic language doesn't allow it.

Well, somebody could say, "The Holy Spirit inspired Matthew to use two different words. Well, that's true, because "petra" is the word in Greek that is normally used for "large rock," but - I should say petra is the Greek word that means "large rock" but it's in the feminine form. In other words, the gender of this Greek word, petra, large rock, is feminine. You do not apply a feminine form of the word in order to name a male. You adopt it by giving the masculine form. In other words what Matthew was doing, guided by the Holy Spirit, is something that was rather obvious and practically necessary. That was to take the Greek from Jesus' saying and start by saying, "I will build my Church on this massive stone, this 'petra' in the feminine but then to show that Peter gets the name, "Rock" in its proper masculine form.

You wouldn't name him Josephine or Rockina or, you know, something like that. You give him the masculine form of the word. I should also add that there is absolutely no archeological evidence from antiquity for anybody having been named Peter before Simon. In other words, Jesus was taking a word that had never been used as far as all the many records we have are concerned, never was used to designate an individual person and Jesus gives that name, gives that word to Simon."


There is only "One Truth"!

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