Why is Peter called the Rock?

Caesarea Phillipi

Background information:

Old Testament:

Isa.22:20-22: “On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, I will clothe him with your robe, gird him with your sash, confer on him your authority. I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one will shut, what he shuts, no one will open.” (Eliakim essentially becomes King David’s prime minister (or master) in charge of his palace. Eliakim controls access to this palace.)

Caesarea Phillippi:

1. This region is in the northeast section of Israel called the Golan Heights. This region was about 20 miles north of the Sea of Galilee.
2. In Israel all of the important temples, synagogues, and temples were built on top of mountains and hills.
3. At Caesarea Phillipi there is a massive rock over 100 feet tall and about 500 feet wide.
4. The city of Caesarea Phillipi was built on top of this enormous rock.
5. This city was rededicated by King Phillip to honor Caesar in Rome.
6. Caesarea Phillipi was a place where the Greek and Roman gods were worshipped.

The Gates of Hell:

1. In the center of the rock was a huge cave, called the Gates of Hades, where a stream flowed out form this cave.
2. In ancient times, this was the Cave of Pan. It was believed that Baal would enter and leave the underworld through this stream.
3. The source of the stream was thought to have come from Hades.

Why did Jesus go to Caesarea Phillipi?

1. Jesus first asks His disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’
2. Jesus sets the stage for Peter to correctly identify who Jesus really is. Peter states that Jesus is the Messiah.
3. Jesus states that the Father has only revealed this to Peter. Peter was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
4. Jesus seeks to establish Peter as another type of rock against this massive rock at Caesarea Phillipi.
5. Jesus states that Peter is the rock upon which He will build His Church. Neither the gates of hell shall prevail against it.
6. Jesus spoke in Aramaic to His disciples. Jesus calls Peter Kepha. The Aramaic noun kepha means rock.

What is the significance of the gates of hell?

1. Jesus will give authority to Peter to ultimately prevail over Satan’s efforts and opposition against His church.
2. Jesus bestows upon Peter the position of a prime minister holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
3. This draws a parallel to David giving the keys to his prime minister Eliakim to protect and manage David’s palace.
4. Jesus also states that evil (the netherworld) will not prevail over His church. The church will NOT be overcome by the power of death.
5. Jesus states this against the backdrop of the Gates of Hades at the massive rock at Caesarea Phillipi.

Scripture:

Mt.16:13: “When Jesus went into the region of Caearea Phillipi, He asked His disciples, ‘Who do you say that the Son of Man is?’” (Jesus intentionally comes to Caesarea Phillipi to present Peter as a DIFFERENT type rock (foundation) for His Church.)

Mt.16:15-16: “Jesus said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter replied, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.'” (Jesus stated that only the Father has revealed this to Peter. Peter’s faith comes from a revelation from God.)

Mt.16:18:“And so I say to you (Simon), you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Jesus gives Peter the authority to lead His church in prevailing over evil. Jesus intends to bestow a “long-lasting rock of authority” in Peter and his successors in the Church that Jesus sets up.)

Mt.16:19: “Jesus said to Peter, ‘I will give you  the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Jesus gives Peter the “power of the keys” [administrative authority and ecclesiastical discipline]).

An Artist’s Rendering of Cave of Pan (bringing river from Hades) at Caesarea Phillipi

Why does Jesus creates this authoritative office for the Church? Jesus intended for His one and only Church to last forever. Jesus made provisions that successors would replace Peter.

What are the results and consequences from opponents objecting and rejecting this notion?  We now have over 45,000 churches and denomination with various teachings, doctrines, and beliefs, claiming their “authority”.

Update:

It has been said by many that Modernism has become a form of sterility that has diminished, harmed, and even killed parts of the Church even before Vatican II.

Synodality, continuing what Vatican II started, is creating a more worldly Church made in the image of man and his lived experiences. In response to Vatican II and Synodality, the Holy Spirit is bringing about an organic counter-movement, led by the laity, back toward Tradition and reverence.

The younger people, tired of the confusion and chaos of the Church and society, is gravitating toward Tradition.