Matthew 16:13-20

AUV(i) 13 Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who are people saying that the Son of man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say you are John the Immerser; some [the prophet] Elijah; and others [the prophet] Jeremiah, or one of the [other] prophets [come back to life].” 15 He [then] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 And Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one], the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Simon, son of Jonah, you are fortunate [indeed], for this [truth] was not revealed to you by human beings but [rather] by my Father who is in heaven. 18 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]. 19 [And] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven [i.e., for opening up the way into it]. And whatever [truth] you [and the other apostles. See 18:18] require [people to believe and practice] here on earth will have already been required of them [by God] in heaven. And whatever [truth] you do not require [of people] on earth, will not be required [by God] in heaven.” 20 Then He ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.