Matthew 16:19

What are the keys of the kingdom?

Matthew 16:18-19 – And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 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.

Meaning Of The Keys

The key is the message (gospel) we share to people. When we share the gospel we are using the key to open the kingdom of heaven to them.

Matthew 23:13 – But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

By comparing these verses, we can see that the "key of heaven" represents the responsibility to lead others into God's kingdom through teaching and spiritual guidance. When this authority is misused, it can prevent people from finding their way to God. Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees highlights how spiritual leaders should not obstruct access to God, but rather help others.

Luke 11:52 – Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

This “key of knowledge” in Luke parallels the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” in Matthew as both represent a form of spiritual authority meant to unlock understanding and access to God. By hoarding or misusing this knowledge, the religious leaders obstructed others from entering God’s kingdom.

1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 – Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved.

Meaning Of Bind And Loose

AMPLIFIED BIBLE CLASSIC
Matthew 18:18 – Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven.

YOUNG’S LITERAL TRANSLATIONS
Matthew 18:18 – Verily I say to you, Whatever things ye may bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever things ye may loose on the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.

WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE
Matthew 18:18 – Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.

What Binding and Loosing Means in This Context

In this context, Jesus outlines how to handle issues of sin and reconciliation within the Christian community, beginning with addressing personal sin privately, then involving witnesses, and finally bringing it to the church.

Matthew 18:17 – And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

📜 CHURCH ekklēsia (ek-klay-see'-ah)
From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both): assembly, church.

If the person still refuses to repent, they are to be treated as an outsider (like a "pagan or a tax collector"), which, in Jesus' time, meant exclusion from close fellowship. This separation is not punitive but aims to highlight the seriousness of the unrepented sin and prompt reflection.

The church has the authority to decide matters related to transgressions and forgiveness. It can determine whether an individual’s actions align with or violate community standards, in keeping with God’s Word. In exercising spiritual authority, the church plays a role in discipline and reconciliation.

When the church, following Jesus' guidelines, reaches a decision about a member’s sin, that decision holds weight in both earthly and heavenly realms. In the context of conflict resolution and forgiveness, this passage suggests that when the church either forgives or withholds fellowship (in cases of unrepentance), these actions are affirmed by God.

This passage demonstrates that actions taken by the church in accordance with God’s will have divine approval, with Jesus promising to be with those who handle such matters in alignment with His teachings. It serves not only as a guide for dealing with sin but also emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and maintaining unity within the church.

Applies To All Believers

While Peter is uniquely mentioned in Matthew 16, Jesus later extends the authority to "bind and loose" to all disciples.

The authority of "binding and loosing" is extended to the disciples as representatives of the church community.

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.

Matthew 18:1 – At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

This chapter isn't exclusively addressed to the apostles or church leaders, but rather to the whole community of believers. Jesus is teaching all His disciples how to live as a unified body.

All the disciples come to Jesus showing the teaching was given to all disciples, not just leaders.

Matthew 18:1 – At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

The context of the chapter deals with community relationships and practices that apply to all believers:

• Humility and becoming like children (verses 1-5)

• Avoiding causing others to stumble (verses 6-9)

• The parable of the lost sheep (verses 10-14)

• Dealing with conflict between believers (verses 15-20)

• Forgiveness (verses 21-35)

Jesus emphasizes how the whole community should function together.

This verse is not talking about giving arbitrary power, but rather as a responsibility for everyone to exercise discernment and follow God's guidance in matters of the church and discipline.

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Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

- The Christian King