Jesus says that Peter can be happy that God revealed this to him, adding: “I say to you: You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my congregation, and the gates of the Grave will not overpower it.” Jesus means that he himself will build a congregation and that even the Grave will not hold captive its members if they maintain a faithful course on earth.

Jesus does not give Peter first place among the apostles, nor does Jesus make him the foundation of the congregation. Jesus himself is the Rock upon which his congregation will be built. (1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20)