Matthew 16 19

Matthew 16:19 kjv

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:19 nkjv

And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Matthew 16:19 niv

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 16:19 esv

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Matthew 16:19 nlt

And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven."

Matthew 16 verses

Matthew 16 19 Meaning

Matthew 16:19 reveals the divine authority given to Peter and, by extension, to the Church through the keys of the kingdom of heaven, symbolizing access, administration, and stewardship within God's spiritual rule. The phrases "bind" and "loose" signify the power to declare what is forbidden or permitted on earth, with the profound understanding that such declarations are not arbitrary but reflect and ratify what has already been decided and validated in heaven. This establishes the Church's authority in matters of doctrine, discipline, and the admission into or exclusion from the fellowship of believers, acting as an earthly reflection of heavenly decrees.

Matthew 16 19 Context

This pivotal verse in Matt 16 is immediately preceded by Peter's confession of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (v.16), a revelation confirmed by the Father Himself. Jesus then declares Peter's blessedness and states He will build His church upon this "rock" (v.18), commonly understood as the truth of Peter's confession or Peter himself as a foundational instrument. The giving of the keys and the authority to "bind and loose" directly follow, indicating the scope of responsibility entrusted to Peter in establishing and governing the nascent Christian community. The broader context of Matthew's Gospel emphasizes the "kingdom of heaven" as God's present and future reign, with Jesus as its King, establishing its principles through His teaching and power. For the original Jewish audience, the "keys" would evoke the authority of a house steward, and "bind and loose" would resonate with rabbinic authority to interpret and apply Mosaic Law, declaring things permissible or forbidden. The implication here is a new spiritual authority given for the new covenant community, surpassing previous rabbinic traditions, yet operating with divine pre-approval.

Matthew 16 19 Word analysis

• "I will give you": This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative and sovereign bestowal of authority from Jesus Himself. It is a future promise of endowment.
• "the keys" (Greek: kleis, κλεῖs): In ancient Near Eastern cultures, keys were potent symbols of authority, responsibility, and access. As seen in Isa 22:22, one holding the keys to a house or city possessed control over entry, administration, and the power to admit or exclude. Here, the "keys" refer to the means of entry into or the stewardship of the "kingdom of heaven." This power of the keys is specifically granted to Peter in the singular, suggesting a unique initial role in unlocking the kingdom for both Jews (Acts 2) and Gentiles (Acts 10).
• "of the kingdom of heaven": This refers to God's spiritual reign, particularly as manifested in the Church—the community of those who acknowledge Jesus' kingship. It signifies God's rule, principles, and the domain where His will is actively performed. The keys facilitate the administration and stewardship of this spiritual reality on earth.
• "and whatever you bind on earth": The phrase "bind" (Greek: deo, δέω) was a common rabbinic idiom. It referred to forbidding or declaring something unlawful or illicit. In the context of the kingdom, it implies the authority to prohibit certain behaviors, to impose spiritual obligations, or to declare a doctrine incorrect, thus "tying up" matters. This can extend to church discipline, excluding those unrepentant from fellowship.
• "shall have been bound in heaven": This clause, particularly the perfect passive periphrastic tense in Greek, is critical. It signifies that the action taken "on earth" is not an arbitrary declaration but rather an endorsement or ratification of what has already been determined or established in heaven. The earthly action aligns with and enforces divine decree; it doesn't initiate it.
• "and whatever you loose on earth": "Loose" (Greek: luo, λύω), the direct opposite of "bind," also had a rabbinic counterpart meaning to permit, to declare something lawful, or to absolve. It refers to the authority to remove spiritual burdens, declare doctrines permissible, or welcome back into fellowship those who repent.
• "shall have been loosed in heaven": Parallel to "shall have been bound," this clause indicates that the earthly act of loosing or permitting is also a ratification of God's pre-established heavenly will. It means that the church's legitimate decisions regarding doctrine, practice, and fellowship, when conducted in accordance with Christ's authority and God's will (as revealed in Scripture), are upheld and validated by God Himself.

Matthew 16 19 Bonus section

• Stewardship not Possession: The granting of "keys" to Peter does not imply personal ownership of the kingdom, but rather stewardship. Peter, and by extension the Church, is a steward, entrusted with the administration of God's household according to the Master's will.
• Infallibility not Implied: The authority of "binding and loosing" does not confer infallibility on Peter or church leaders. It requires faithfulness to heavenly revelation. Actions are valid because they align with heaven, not because Peter or the Church themselves are infallible in their pronouncements. Misuse of the keys, like the lawyers in Lk 11:52, leads to judgment.
• "On Earth As In Heaven": This verse ties directly into the prayer taught by Jesus in Matt 6:10, where disciples pray for God's will to be done "on earth as it is in heaven." The authority of binding and loosing provides the means through which the Church can discern and implement this divine will on earth, making earthly reality reflect heavenly truth.
• Foundation and Structure: The mention of "keys" immediately after Peter is called "rock" (Matt 16:18) points to a structural, foundational role for Peter in initiating and ordering the Church, establishing a system of authority and responsibility for God's household on earth.

Matthew 16 19 Commentary

Matt 16:19 represents a cornerstone verse defining the authority and responsibility entrusted to Christ's Church. The "keys of the kingdom of heaven" primarily signify administrative authority—the power to grant or deny access, much like a steward of a master's house. Peter, as the recipient, uniquely "opened" the doors of the gospel initially to the Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2) and later to the Gentiles (Acts 10). This foundational, historical "opening" by Peter sets the precedent. The "binding and loosing" authority, however, is not exclusive to Peter. It's echoed in Matt 18:18 for the entire community of believers (the church), suggesting a corporate application. This power encompasses declarative authority in interpreting God's truth, establishing correct doctrine (binding what is true, loosing what is false), and enforcing church discipline (binding the unrepentant through exclusion, loosing the repentant through restoration). Importantly, the perfect passive tense "shall have been bound/loosed in heaven" highlights that the church's authority is not autonomous; it is a derived authority. The church does not invent truth or dictate God's will; rather, it discerns, declares, and applies what God has already revealed and established in heaven. Thus, the Church's actions on earth are legitimate only when they faithfully reflect heavenly decrees, functioning under the ultimate authority of Christ and His Word. Practically, this implies that church leadership, guided by the Holy Spirit and rooted in Scripture, holds responsibility for doctrinal purity, ethical guidance, and maintaining the purity of fellowship, thereby administering the kingdom's principles on earth.