What Are the Keys of the Kingdom? | Jonathan Leeman on Matthew 16:19

In this episode, Jonathan Leeman joins Kirk E. Miller to discuss the theologically complex passage of Matthew 16:19 and its mention of the “keys of the kingdom.” Together, they unpack the meaning of “binding and loosing,” parallel passages like Matthew 18:18, and how different interpretations have yielded competing conceptions of church authority. Join us as we explore how church participates in Christ’s mission through the authority he entrusts to it.

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Episode guest: Jonathan Leeman

Jonathan Leeman is the editorial director at 9Marks and co-host of the Pastors Talk podcast. He teaches at several seminaries and is the author of a number of books on the church, as well as on the intersection of faith and politics, including How the Nations Rage: Rethinking Faith and Politics for a Divided Age and most recently, Authority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Community, and Promotes Human Flourishing.

Jonathan lives with his wife and four daughters in a Maryland suburb of Washington, DC, and he is a member and elder at Cheverly Baptist Church.

Episode synopsis

Why Matthew 16:19 matters

In Matthew 16:19, Jesus grants Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven along with the authority to bind and loose on earth, actions that shall be reflected in heaven. This passage opens up questions about ecclesiastical authority and the nature of the church. Kirk E. Miller and Jonathan Leeman outlines how differing interpretations of this passage can vastly affect one’s understanding of church authority and its role in Christianity.

Surveying the differing interpretations

Jonathan Leeman outlines various interpretations of Matthew 16:19, from the Roman Catholic claim that Peter’s authority extends through apostolic succession and the Pope, to some Protestant interpretations that regard the “rock” as Peter’s confession rather than Peter himself, to Pentecostal readings that see in this passage authority to bind evil spirits. Jonathan argues, however, that recent evangelical scholarship tends to recognize Peter as the rock upon which Jesus builds his church, without necessarily supporting the Catholic view of papal authority.

Exegetical analysis

Jonathan and Kirk delve into the grammatical and contextual nuances of the key terms like “binding” and “loosing.” They discuss how these terms are used in important parallel texts, particularly Matthew 18:18, to outline ecclesiastical authority.

The nature of the keys

Jonathan clarifies that this authority granted by Jesus in Matthew 16 involves a judicial, declarative power vested in the church. This authority is seen in the church’s responsibility to affirm the gospel (“what”) and its confessors (“who”), as reflected in practices such inclusion into the church community (church membership) and exclusion by church discipline (excommunication).

Peter’s foundational role

Their discussion considers Peter’s unique role, both as an individual apostle and as representative of the apostles. Jonathan posits that Peter stands as a foundational figure upon which Jesus builds his church. Kirk and Jonathan provide scriptural examples to support this claim. Yet Jonathan disagrees with the Roman Catholic view that extends Peter’s role to an ongoing apostolic succession embodied in the papacy.

The marks of a true church

Kirk connects the text to the Belgic Confession, specifically Article 29, illustrating how the marks of the true church include (1) the pure preaching of the gospel, (2) the proper administration of sacraments, and (3) the practice of church discipline. Kirk explains that the church exercises the keys of the kingdom via these functions that serve to define the gospel and its adherents.

Application to the Christian life

Jonathan and Kirk stress the practical importance of these teachings for contemporary church life. In contrast to many individualistic expressions of Christianity today, we must recognize the local church’s role in the Christian life, include its authority and guidance.

Practical suggestions for teaching

Kirk and Jonathan suggest delving deeply into the passage’s theological and ecclesial implications to better inform congregants and help them understand the collective authority of the church. Kirk emphasizes that the meaning of the keys of the kingdom is central to a proper understanding and application of this passage, and thus its warrant thorough exploration.

Encouragement and assurance

The episode concludes with the encouragement that Jesus’s promise to be with his church, empowering them with the authority to carry out its mission. Kirk connects Jesus’s words in Matthew 16 to the Great Commission (Matt 28), positioning the church as Christ’s deputized agent of Christ on earth.

Resources from Jonathan to further your study on church authority