01.23.2015 New Testament: Matt 16.18

To read the Bible in a year, read Matthew 16 on January 23, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

Peter confessed the divine Sonship of Jesus, and so Jesus confessed the name of Peter (Just as the Lord promised, see Matt 10.32), and then Jesus promised to build His church,

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16.18). 

Unfortunately, the Old King James and the English Standard Versions translate “hell,” instead of “hades.” Jesus promised to build the church, and even Hades itself could not prevent Him from building the church, because He would enter Hades when He died, but then three days later He would rise from the dead, His soul would leave Hades, and then He would build His church. He could go through the gates into Hades and when He was ready, He could go out the gates of Hades and build His church.