Replies

Yes I agree that only Peter answered, but there is no way to know without ‘adding words’ when or if Christ went from addressing Peter exclusively to going back to addressing the entire group. Either interpretation of that last sentence fits. In fact, although I believe that your interpretation is not unreasonable, I believe that since there was no clear change from single to group address, as Jesus had done when he switched to Peter exclusively, it is more likely that he was still addressing Peter.

I thought that Protestants didn’t believe in ‘adding words’. I thought this was the basis of the argument. I don’t think Catholics have a problem with Protestants ‘adding words’ to form their interpretations, as long as those ‘additions’ are based on context and other biblical references. Sometimes, (as above) it is necessary to clarify points.

I think Jesus was talking to Peter, you think he was talking to the group. I don’t have a problem with that, but one of us has to be wrong, and your replies haven’t convinced me that I should change what I believe. I also understand that what I have said has not been sufficient to change what you believe. But I recognize that your interpretation is possible and well thought out, even if I don’t believe it is correct. Is not my interpretation the same?

I think Jesus was talking to Peter, you think he was talking to the group.

Nope; KNOW.

The text is plain:

Matthew 16:13-18
13. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14. They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15. "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
16. Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17. Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
18. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Chapters and verses were invented later; as we all know...

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Reading the text we can see that Jesus is talking to the GROUP of disciples; and He is answered by the impulsive one - SIMON Peter.

After dealing with SIMON Peter, He states - to the group - "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Catholic teaching limits this to SIMON Peter.