Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

In today’s gospel, Jesus asks his disciples, who they believe he is. Many of them said `Elijah`, `Jeremiah` another said `John the Baptist`. However, Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus gives Simon a new name – Peter which means rock in Greek. Jesus tells him that he will have the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Simon Peter was just an ordinary fisherman, but Jesus wanted to build his Church on a strong foundation in which he found in Simon Peter’s faith, which was strong like a rock!