Our Gospel today is the famous scene of the giving of the keys to St. Peter. Though the object of much debate, the passage has deeply Jewish roots. Leaning on our first reading we discover that in ancient times, a certain steward in David’s household was charged with keeping the keys, much like St. Peter. In addition, examining the Gospel in light of rabbinic tradition reveals that “binding” and “loosing” are technical terms referring to the Jewish authority to interpret the law. In the end, details that may seem out of place find a setting in the Judaism of Jesus’ day.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Davies, W. D., and Dale C. Allison Jr. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. Vol. 2. International Critical Commentary. London; New York: T&T Clark International, 2004.
Keener, Craig S. The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009.
Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
Schaff, Philip, and Henry Wace, eds. Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine the Great, and Oration in Praise of Constantine. Vol. 1. A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Second Series. New York: Christian Literature Company, 1890.
Mass Readings Explained by Dr. Brant Pitre
REFERENCES
Matthew 23:4 - "They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger."
Matthew 16:18 and 18:17 - The only two places in the Gospels where the term ekklesia occurs
Plutarch, De Defectu Oraculorum 17 - "A voice was heard by most of the passengers (who were then awake, and taking a cup after supper) calling unto one Thamus, and that with so loud a voice as made all the company amazed; which Thamus was a mariner of Egypt, whose name was scarcely known in the ship. He returned no answer to the first calls; but at the third he replied, Here ! here! I am the man. Then the voice said aloud to him, When you are arrived at Palodes, take care to make it known that the great God Pan is dead."