Matthew 16

 16:6-12 is another example of the danger of a blind literalism in interpreting the word of God, a habit the disciples shared with the Pharisees.  Jesus even calls such literal tunnel vision a lack of faith (v.8).  There is an opposite extreme, of course, by which the Scriptures, if tortured long enough, can be made to confess to anything.  But the lack of faith by the Pharisees was the base problem.  No amount of attesting miracles would have been enough to convince them against their will.  Nor can it convince a determined materialist to see Wisdom behind the creation, or hear the testimony of the cosmos witnessing to the glory of God (Ps.19:1-6).

     16:13-20.  The determined unbelief of the Pharisees is a good contrast to highlight Peter’s confession.  Note that it is God’s blessing upon him which enables him to see what the Pharisees would not (v.17).

     16:18.  Jesus is not building his church on Peter, but on Peter’s confession of who Jesus is.  There are two words for rock in this verse (margin):  Petros (Peter) is a stone, and Petra is a large rock, bed-rock, which is the same Greek word used in 1 Cor.10:4 (the Petra was Christ).  Cf. 1 Cor.3:11;  Eph.2:20;  1 Pet.2:4-8;  Rev.21:14.

     The gates of Hades are defensive.  It is the church armed with their common confession of faith that the gates of death cannot withstand.  See 2 Cor. 10:4.

     Hades is the place of all the dead, but the good and bad are separated in it.  Hell was often used with this meaning in the KJV, and also in the Apostle’s Creed.  But now it is generally used only for the place of torment.  (e.g., Mt.23:33).

     16:19.  The keys are used by the church to loose from sin by forgiveness and the message of reconciliation, and used to bind by necessary church censures.  Cf. Mt.18:15-18; John 20:23;  2 Cor.5:18-19.

     16:23.  From Petros to stumbling stone.  If Peter was exalted as first Pope (18-19), his infallibility was short lived.  Here he acts as the vicar of Satan.

     16:24-26.  Denying self.  Gal.2:20;  Eph.5:21.

     16:27.  Cf. Ro.2:6;  14:12;  2 Cor.5:10.

     16:28.  Cf. Mt.23:37-39, 24: 34, 28:18; Ja.5:9.  All these are references to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.  All power had been given to Christ in heaven and on earth (Mt.28:18), and they were to see him exercise it.  It was a type of the final judgment to come, and I think Ja.5:9 should be seen as much as a warning to our generation (or any other) as to James’ generation.