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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I will give {G1325} unto thee {G4671} the keys {G2807} of the kingdom {G932} of heaven {G3772}: and {G2532} whatsoever {G3739}{G1437} thou shalt bind {G1210} on {G1909} earth {G1093} shall be {G2071} bound {G1210} in {G1722} heaven {G3772}: and {G2532} whatsoever {G3739}{G1437} thou shalt loose {G3089} on {G1909} earth {G1093} shall be {G2071} loosed {G3089} in {G1722} heaven {G3772}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 16:19 stands as a monumental declaration by Jesus to Peter, immediately following Peter's confession of Christ's divine identity. In this verse, Jesus bestows upon Peter, and by extension the church, profound authority symbolized by "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" and the power to "bind" and "loose" on earth with heavenly ratification. This passage fundamentally defines the church's stewardship of the gospel, its role in spiritual discernment, and its exercise of discipline, all under the sovereign will of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, following His disciples' journey to Caesarea Philippi. The preceding verses establish the crucial dialogue where Jesus asks His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" [Matthew 16:13](/matthew/16-13 "Matthew 16:13 - Jesus Asks About His Identity"). Peter's inspired confession, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" [Matthew 16:16](/matthew/16-16 "Matthew 16:16 - Peter's Confession of Christ"), elicits Jesus' blessing and the foundational statement, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Foundation of the Church"). Verse 19 then elaborates on the specific authority granted to Peter, detailing the practical implications of the church's establishment and its operational power. This sequence highlights the divine revelation of Christ's identity as the bedrock upon which the church is built, and the subsequent delegation of authority necessary for its mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "keys" and the concepts of "binding and loosing" were deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern and Jewish culture. In ancient societies, keys symbolized authority, stewardship, and access, often held by a chief steward who managed a household or city. For instance, the prophet Isaiah speaks of Eliakim receiving "the key of the house of David" [Isaiah 22:22](/isaiah/22-22 "Isaiah 22:22 - The Key of the House of David"), signifying governmental authority. The terms "binding and loosing" were common rabbinic legal phrases. Rabbis used "bind" (אסר, _asar_) to declare something forbidden, unlawful, or to excommunicate, and "loose" (התיר, _hittir_) to declare something permitted, lawful, or to absolve. These terms were not about literal physical actions but referred to authoritative pronouncements regarding religious law, doctrine, and community membership. Jesus' use of these terms would have been immediately understood by His Jewish audience as granting judicial and legislative authority within the nascent community of His followers.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 16:19 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the theme of **Christ's Authority and Delegation**, where Jesus, as the ultimate authority, empowers His disciples to carry out His mission. This verse also underscores the **Nature and Authority of the Church**, presenting it not merely as a human organization but as a divinely established entity with a heaven-backed mandate. The concept of the "kingdom of heaven" is central to Matthew's Gospel, and here, the church is depicted as having a crucial role in facilitating entry into and upholding the principles of this kingdom. Finally, the verse speaks to **Stewardship and Responsibility**, emphasizing that the authority granted comes with the weighty duty of faithful administration of God's truth and justice on earth. This authority, while initially given to Peter, is later extended to the broader community of disciples, as seen in [Matthew 18:18](/matthew/18-18 "Matthew 18:18 - Binding and Loosing for the Church"), demonstrating the collective responsibility of the church.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **keys (Greek, _kleís'_):** From a primary verb meaning "to shut," this noun refers to a key, literally or figuratively. In this context, it signifies authority, access, and the power to open or close, to admit or deny entry. It represents the steward's power to manage the affairs of a house or kingdom, granting or restricting access to its resources and privileges.
* **bind (Greek, _déō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to bind" in various applications, literally or figuratively. In the rabbinic context, as used here, it means to forbid, to declare unlawful, or to excommunicate. It implies the authority to impose obligations or prohibitions based on divine truth.
* **loose (Greek, _lýō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to loosen" (literally or figuratively). In contrast to "bind," in the rabbinic sense, it means to permit, to declare lawful, or to absolve. It implies the authority to release from obligations, to pronounce something permissible, or to forgive sins in the context of church discipline.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:"** This clause is a direct promise from Jesus to Peter, granting him symbolic authority. The "keys" represent the power to unlock or lock, to open or close access to the "kingdom of heaven." This signifies Peter's unique role in initiating the church's mission, particularly in opening the door of faith—first to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost [Acts 2:41](/acts/2-41 "Acts 2:41 - Peter's Pentecost Sermon") and subsequently to the Gentiles through Cornelius [Acts 10:44-48](/acts/10-44-48 "Acts 10:44-48 - Peter and the Gentiles"). It is an authority of stewardship, not absolute dominion.
* **"and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:"** This grants Peter, and by extension the church, judicial and legislative authority. "Binding" refers to declaring something forbidden, unlawful, or imposing a spiritual obligation or prohibition. The phrase "shall be bound in heaven" indicates that decisions made on earth, when aligned with God's will and truth, receive divine ratification and are upheld in the heavenly realm. This speaks to the church's authority in matters of doctrine, moral conduct, and discipline.
* **"and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."** This parallels the previous clause, granting the complementary authority to "loose." "Loosing" refers to declaring something permitted, lawful, or absolving from a spiritual obligation or sin. Similarly, "shall be loosed in heaven" signifies divine endorsement of such earthly declarations when they reflect God's will. This power is crucial for the church's role in proclaiming forgiveness, releasing from spiritual bondage, and administering restoration within the community of believers.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 16:19 is rich in **Symbolism** and employs a significant **Rabbinic Idiom**. The "keys of the kingdom of heaven" are a powerful **Metaphor** for authority and access, drawing on the ancient Near Eastern understanding of a steward's role. Just as a steward holds the keys to a house or city, controlling entry and managing its affairs, Peter is entrusted with the responsibility of facilitating entry into the spiritual kingdom and overseeing its spiritual administration. The phrases "bind" and "loose" are not literal commands for physical actions but are a well-known **Idiom** from Jewish legal discourse, referring to the authoritative declaration of what is permissible or forbidden, lawful or unlawful, within the community. This idiom underscores the church's role in discerning and applying God's truth, exercising discipline, and proclaiming the gospel. The **Parallelism** between "bind on earth...bound in heaven" and "loose on earth...loosed in heaven" emphasizes the divine backing and heavenly validation of the church's Spirit-led decisions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly shapes our understanding of the church's authority and mission. It establishes that the church, founded on the confession of Christ, is not merely a human institution but a divinely commissioned body. The authority granted, particularly in "binding and loosing," signifies the church's mandate to declare God's truth, to administer discipline, and to proclaim the terms of entry into the kingdom of heaven. This authority is not arbitrary but is to be exercised in accordance with God's revealed will, ensuring that what is declared on earth is consistent with heavenly decree. It underscores the church's vital role as a steward of the gospel and a community that reflects God's justice and mercy.

* [Matthew 18:18](/matthew/18-18 "Matthew 18:18 - Binding and Loosing for the Church")
* [John 20:23](/john/20-23 "John 20:23 - Authority to Forgive Sins")
* [Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 16:19 calls believers and the church to a profound sense of responsibility and humility in exercising the authority entrusted by Christ. It reminds us that the "keys of the kingdom" are not for personal power or arbitrary rule, but for the faithful stewardship of God's truth and the advancement of His kingdom. For the church, this means diligently upholding sound doctrine, exercising compassionate yet firm church discipline, and boldly proclaiming the gospel, which alone unlocks the kingdom for those who believe. Individually, it encourages us to live in alignment with kingdom principles, recognizing that our actions and declarations, when rooted in Christ's authority and guided by the Holy Spirit, have eternal significance. It challenges us to discern God's will, to speak truth in love, and to participate actively in the mission of inviting others into God's reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "the keys of the kingdom" influence your understanding of the church's mission today?**
* **In what ways can the church faithfully exercise its authority to "bind and loose" in matters of doctrine and discipline in contemporary society?**
* **How does the promise of heavenly ratification for earthly decisions encourage or challenge your personal walk of faith and your involvement in your local church?**

### FAQ

**What does "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" mean in a practical sense for the church?**

Answer: Practically, "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" symbolize the church's authority to open the door of salvation to people through the proclamation of the gospel and to admit them into the community of faith. It also signifies the church's stewardship over the doctrines and practices of the kingdom, guiding believers in understanding and living out God's will. Peter's actions in [Acts 2](/acts/2 "Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost") (opening the kingdom to the Jews) and [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius") (opening it to the Gentiles) exemplify this initial "key-holding" function.

**Does "binding and loosing" give the church unlimited power to make any rules it wants?**

Answer: No, the authority to "bind and loose" is not unlimited or arbitrary. It is an authority to declare what is consistent with God's revealed will and what is not, based on Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit. The phrase "shall be bound/loosed in heaven" implies that the church's decisions are ratified in heaven only when they align with God's pre-established divine decrees and character. This authority is primarily exercised in matters of doctrine, moral teaching, and church discipline, ensuring the purity and witness of the body of Christ. It's about discerning and applying God's truth, not creating new truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 16:19 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is the true and ultimate possessor of all authority and the one who holds "the keys of hell and of death" [Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys"). While Peter is given the keys to the kingdom, it is Christ who is the door [John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus is the Door") and the one who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens [Revelation 3:7](/revelation/3-7 "Revelation 3:7 - Christ Holds the Key of David"). The authority to "bind and loose" is a delegated authority, flowing directly from Christ's supreme headship over His church [Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ as Head of the Church"). The church's power to declare forgiveness or judgment, to admit or exclude, is entirely dependent on its alignment with the will and finished work of Christ. It is through Christ's atoning sacrifice that the kingdom of heaven is made accessible, and it is by His Spirit that the church is empowered to proclaim this truth and administer its implications. Thus, the church's authority is not its own, but a participation in the ongoing reign and redemptive work of its living Head, Jesus Christ, who is the one true key-holder and the ultimate binder and looser.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 18:18

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Isaiah 22:22

And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

Revelation 1:18

[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 3:7

¶ And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

John 20:23

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.

Revelation 11:6

These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

2 Corinthians 2:10

To whom ye forgive any thing, I [forgive] also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave [it], for your sakes [forgave I it] in the person of Christ;