The “keys of the kingdom” is a phrase that Jesus uses in Matthew 16:19 when he says to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This statement has generated much discussion over what exactly Jesus meant when he spoke of giving Peter the “keys of the kingdom.” Here is an overview of the main interpretations and understanding of this important phrase.
The Authority to Bind and Loose
The most common understanding is that the “keys of the kingdom” represent the authority to bind and loose that Jesus gave to Peter. This authority included the ability to set binding rules and regulations for the church as well as the authority to forgive or not forgive people of their sins. This interpretation connects the phrase “keys of the kingdom” with the binding and loosing statements that follow in Matthew 16:19. Together, they indicate that Peter would have a unique authority in the church to establish doctrine and exercise church discipline.
This view is supported by the parallel passage in Matthew 18:18 where Jesus tells all the disciples “whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This indicates that the binding and loosing authority was not unique to Peter but was shared with the other disciples and therefore represents core leadership functions and authority within the church.
The Authority to Open Salvation to Different Groups
Another common view is that the “keys of the kingdom” represent the authority to open the doors of the kingdom to different groups of people. This is based on the imagery that keys provide access or admission to something that is closed or locked. Therefore, Peter would be given the authority to determine which groups of people would be granted access to salvation in Christ.
This interpretation focuses on how Peter opened the doors of salvation to different people groups in the early church. In Acts 2, Peter preached at Pentecost and opened the door of the kingdom to the Jews. In Acts 10, Peter preached to Cornelius and opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. The keys of the kingdom allowed Peter to be the pioneering instrument for the start of the church’s worldwide mission.
General Authority to Govern Christ’s Church
A broader view is that the “keys of the kingdom” represent the general authoritative stewardship over Christ’s kingdom given to Peter. Keys represent visible symbolic authority, and therefore Jesus was essentially investing Peter with the supreme visible authority over the church on earth. This matches with Jesus’ statements to Peter in Matthew 16 where he is identified as the rock on which Christ will build his church.
According to this view, the keys represent the comprehensive authority to steward the kingdom as the head disciple and leader of Christ’s church. This matches with Peter’s prominent leadership roles throughout the book of Acts and the entire New Testament.
Access to Kingdom Blessings
Some see the “keys of the kingdom” as representing the ability to access and appropriate the blessings of the kingdom in prayer. Keys picture the authority to unlock all the bountiful treasures that are available in Christ’s kingdom. Matthew 16 flows from Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ to Jesus’ promise of the church to the authority given to Peter. Therefore, the keys may represent the spiritually privileged position believers now have to access the heavenly riches that Jesus’ death and resurrection secured.
This view sees Peter as a model of the position all believers have been granted to come boldly to the throne of grace in prayer and receive God’s help and heavenly blessings in their time of need (Hebrews 4:16). The keys represent the authority believers have to unlock the storehouse of God’s kingdom blessings through faith and prayer.
Entrance into the Messianic Kingdom
Some theologians see the “keys of the kingdom” as specifically representing entrance into the future messianic kingdom that Christ will establish at His second coming. In this view, Jesus is speaking prophetically about the authority Peter will have when Jesus returns to set up His earthly reign and Peter reigns as the chief apostle over the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28). The keys represent authority to allow or deny entrance into this prophesied messianic kingdom on earth.
This perspective understands the establishment of the kingdom as a still future event. The keys represent authority that will be fully exercised when Jesus returns to establish His kingdom on earth, at which time Peter and the disciples will help administer it.
Insights from the “Key of David” in Isaiah 22
The Old Testament reference to the “key of the house of David” in Isaiah 22:22 helps shed light on what Jesus meant. In this passage, the key of the house of David represents the authority to open and close, to control access to the royal treasures, and to possess the full administrative authority as the king’s representative. Jesus is transferring this same authority to Peter over the spiritual house of David which is the church.
As the key of David gave the steward access to the royal storehouses and treasures, so the keys of the kingdom give Peter and the disciples access to the heavenly treasure and authority to dispense it on earth. The key of David represented full administrative authority, indicating the keys given to Peter likewise represent the authoritative stewardship over the church on earth.
A Combination of Spiritual Authorities
In summary, the “keys of the kingdom” seem to encompass a combination of spiritual authorities represented by the imagery of keys. This likely includes authority over entrance into the kingdom, access to kingdom blessings, binding and loosing judgments, opening the doors of faith to different groups, and administrative stewardship over the church and kingdom. Together, these key powers position Peter as the head disciple and the one granted supreme visible authority by Christ to steward his kingdom on earth.
The keys given to Peter represent the establishment of the messianic kingdom in the coming of Christ. While full access and authority wait for the future consummation of the kingdom, Peter functions as the steward of its present manifestation as Christ builds his church. So Peter had unique authority, but also represented how all disciples share in the spiritual blessings and authority made available in Christ’s kingdom. The “keys of the kingdom” empower the church to carry out its mission in the world as it advances the kingdom of God.