Matthew 16:18

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

And I also tell you, [although] you are Peter [i.e., a stone], it is on this rock [i.e., the truth you have just confessed] that I will build my church and [not even] the gates of the unseen place of departed spirits will win out over it [i.e., all efforts to stamp out the church by killing Christians will fail].

Cross References

Colossians 1:18

And He is the head of the [spiritual] body, the church. He is [its] source, the firstborn One from the dead [i.e., the first one to return to life, never to die again], so that He could rank first [in importance] over all things.

John 1:42

So, Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. [And when] Jesus saw him, He said [to him], “You are Simon, the son of John [Note: Peter’s father is called Jonah in Matt. 16:17]; you will be called Cephas (which means Peter [i.e., “a stone.” See Matt. 16:18]).”

Hebrews 12:28

Therefore, we should be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken [i.e., the church. See Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:6, 9]. So, with reverence and awe, we should serve God in a way that pleases Him,

Acts 2:47

praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel].

1 Timothy 3:15

so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to behave themselves in God’s family, which is the church of the living God, the [supporting] column and foundation of the truth.

Ephesians 5:32

The secret [truth] of this is great, but I am talking about Christ and the church.

Ephesians 3:10

This was done so that now God’s many-sided wisdom could be made known through the church, to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms [Note: “Heavenly realms” here refers to the world around us, where these angelic beings (good or bad) view the unfolding of God’s wonderful plan],

Revelation 21:14

And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb [were inscribed on them].

Acts 8:1

And Saul was in full agreement with Stephen being put to death. And a great persecution broke out against the Jerusalem church, and all the disciples, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the districts of Judea and Samaria.

1 Timothy 3:5

For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how will he be able to take care of the church of God?

Galatians 2:9

Also, when they perceived that this [special] favor [of preaching to Gentiles] was granted to me, James, Cephas [i.e., Peter] and John, the highly regarded pillars [i.e., leaders of the church] extended to me and Barnabas their right hands [signifying an agreement] to share [in the preaching of the Gospel], with us going to the Gentiles and they going to the circumcised ones [i.e., Jews].

Matthew 18:17

And if he refuses to listen to them [i.e., the witnesses], explain the [whole] matter to the church [i.e., probably a specially called meeting of mature Christians to resolve the matter]. And if he refuses to listen to the church also, [i.e., to acknowledge his sin and repent of it], consider him like an [unconverted] Gentile or tax collector [i.e., do not have fellowship with him].

Matthew 11:23

And Capernaum, do you think you will be lifted up toward heaven [as a proud city]? [No indeed], you will [surely] go down to the place of the unseen [i.e., become obscure or obliterated as a city]. For if the powerful miracles had been performed in Sodom which were performed in your presence, it would have remained [even] until today.

Matthew 10:2

Now the names of the twelve apostles were: First, Simon, also called Peter, Andrew, his brother, James and John, sons of Zebedee,

Revelation 11:15

Then the seventh angel sounded its trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord [i.e., God] and of His Christ, and He will rule forever and ever.”

1 Corinthians 15:55

[Hos. 13:14 says], “Death, where is your victory [over people]? Death, where is your [harmful] sting?”

Matthew 4:18

While Jesus was walking beside Lake Galilee, He saw two brothers; Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting their net into the lake, because they were fishermen.

Matthew 7:24

“Every person therefore, who hears these words of mine and obeys them will be like the sensible person who built his house on a [foundation of] rock.

Acts 20:28

So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood.