Matthew 16:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δώσω
I will give
G1325
δώσω
I will give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
2 of 33
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κλεῖς
the keys
G2807
κλεῖς
the keys
Strong's:
G2807
Word #:
5 of 33
a key (as shutting a lock), literally or figuratively
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείας
of the kingdom
G932
βασιλείας
of the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
7 of 33
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῖς
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῖς
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
9 of 33
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὃ
G3739
ὃ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 33
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
whatsoever
G1437
ἐὰν
whatsoever
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
12 of 33
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
δεδεμένον
bound
G1210
δεδεμένον
bound
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
13 of 33
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 33
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
earth
G1093
γῆς
earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
16 of 33
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
δεδεμένον
bound
G1210
δεδεμένον
bound
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
18 of 33
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῖς
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῖς
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
21 of 33
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὃ
G3739
ὃ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
23 of 33
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
whatsoever
G1437
ἐὰν
whatsoever
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
24 of 33
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
26 of 33
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
earth
G1093
γῆς
earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
28 of 33
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
Cross References
Matthew 18:18Verily 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 22:22And 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 1:18I 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 3:7And 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 20:23Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.2 Corinthians 2:10To 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;Revelation 11:6These 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.Revelation 9:1And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.1 Thessalonians 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Historical Context
Keys represented authority in ancient culture (Isaiah 22:22). Jesus promises that Peter's gospel preaching would authoritatively open God's kingdom. The 'binding and loosing' language comes from rabbinic practice of interpreting Torah's application. Jesus transfers this authority to apostolic gospel declaration, evident in Acts where Peter's preaching opens kingdom access.
Questions for Reflection
- How does gospel proclamation exercise kingdom authority today?
- What responsibility comes with holding 'keys' to gospel truth?
- How should church discipline reflect binding and loosing authority?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus gives Peter 'the keys of the kingdom of heaven,' symbolizing authority to open gospel access. At Pentecost, Peter unlocked the kingdom for Jews (Acts 2) and Gentiles (Acts 10). The 'binding and loosing' terminology reflects rabbinic authority to declare what's forbidden or permitted. Reformed interpretation sees this as apostolic authority in gospel proclamation, not papal succession. What the apostles bound/loosed in preaching God's Word would be ratified in heaven—their gospel message carries divine authority.