[B-Greek] Matthew 16.18
Mark Fairpo
7968 at breathemail.net
Sun May 25 17:10:42 EDT 2003
Dear Mike,
I've been collecting bits of Rocks and Stones over time, thank you for some new Greek critique, but if I may supplement your points:
Adding to point 1: “and upon this PETROS I will build my church” or even "and upon *you* [HUMAS] I will build my church” - a synonymy contradicting popular Lexicons both old and new.
+ It is notable that Mark, Peter's secretary/interpretor, who produced his Gospel from the vantagepoint of Peter, totally omits this exchange (see Mk. 8:27-30). Rather, Mark includes Christ's cause to spurn Peter (see Mk. 8:31-33) that Matthew omits (see Mt. 18:21-23).
And more loosely on its Greek... It seems illogical to interpret a man, the first in Christ's baptism, laying only the first stone of a building (which is a transient act) the foundation upon which it is built (which is an abiding thing). For PETRA (rock) is not derived nor so called from Peter, but Simon son of Jona from PETRA, confessing Christ as "the living Stone-rejected by men but chosen by God" (1Pet 2:4-8). IMHO, a proverbial house of mirrors Eph. 2:20-21 (cf. Rev 21:14, Isa. 28:16, Ps. 127:1), 1Cor 3:11 (Augustine on Mt. 16:18) and 1Cor 10:4b.
Blessings,
Mark Fairpo
British Methodist
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