[B-Greek] Matt 16:18
Dave Smith (REL110, 211,212)
rel21x at charter.net
Wed May 17 20:28:19 EDT 2006
Mitch,
There are contextual and grammatical arguments that make this passage a
little more difficult. The first one is the lexical distinction between
PETROS and PETRA, which also demonstrates a difference in gender. If you
take this as an actual statement about/to Peter, as you imply by calling
attention to "You are Peter," then one may also want to compare what Peter
himself says about the term PETRA in I Peter 2:8 (also see Romans 9:33) or
other references to Psalm 118:22 in the NT. The lexical distinction can
distinguish between a piece of stone and a rock face or cliff. The
difference in gender may distinguish between a personal and a material
reference.
If this passage does refer to Peter as PETRA, it is singular. On the other
hand, there are many references to Christ as a rock or stone. I hope it was
the Papacy question you wished to avoid; I can't see how to avoid the
lexical or grammatical implications, or the associations of the work PETRA
in the rest of the NT.
The Shepherd has a very extensive allegory concerning a large white rock,
and many pieces of rock used to construct a building (Similitudes
IX.II-XII). In chapter 12 of book 9, He asks the angel: "First of all, Sir"
said I, "tell me this: hH PETRA KAI hH PULH TIS ESTIN? hH PETRA, FHSIN,
hAUTH KAI hH PULE hO hUIOS TOU QEOU ESTI." What is the rock mass (PETRA) and
the gate? The Rock Mass (PETRA), he said, This and the gate are the Son of
God." In this entire passage, there are all sorts and sizes of stones, but
this rock mass is Christ. The Shepherd of Hermas is a second century
document and was not influenced by the interpretations of the 16th century
reformers.
Dave Smith
Hudson, NC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mitch Larramore" <mitchlarramore at yahoo.com>
To: "B Greek" <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 18:34
Subject: [B-Greek] Matt 16:18
> hOTI SU EI PETROS, KAI EPI TAUTHi THi PETRAi...
>
> Without illiciting any theological discussion on
> what/who the rock is, is it fairly clear
> grammatically/syntactically to conclude that the
> introductory clause SU EI PETROS, in that it is
> painfully obvious (stating the obvious), must in some
> way function as a set-up for the forthcoming PETRAi
> word usage? Or, are there any other
> grammatical/lexical considerations that must be
> considered in this extented context?
>
> Mitch Larramore
> Sugar Land, Texas
>
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