How often have we heard (or preached!) dramatic sermons on Jesus’ words from Matthew 16:18? “And I tell you,” Jesus explains to the impetuous one, “that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” At this point, the preacher (or Bible study leader or author) lets the imagination run wild with the thought of Christ’s church storming the gates of hell. “Who ever heard of gates attacking anyone?” we are asked. “Gates are for defense, not offense. The Church is the one on the attack.” So we are enjoined, “Come on, brothers and sisters, it is time to storm the gates of hell. It’s time to put the devil on the run. We have souls to save and demonic strongholds to destroy. The gates of hell will not prevail against us. It’s time to do some battle, Church. It’s time to reclaim this world for God.” Or something like that.
Of course, who can fault the zeal or the desire to save souls or fight the good fight? The only problem is this way of teaching Matthew 16:18 is almost entirely incorrect. The phrase pulai hadou (gates of hell) is a Jewish expression meaning “realm of the dead.” The same Greek phrase appears in the Septuagint version of Job 38:17 (“gates of deep darkness”) and Isaiah 38:10 (“I am consigned to the gates of Sheol for the rest of my years”). In both passages, pulai hadou is a euphemism for death. The gates of hell represent the passageway from this life to the grave.
Consequently, Jesus’ promise to Peter is not about storming Satan’s lair and conquering demonic powers. In fact, the repeated injunction in Ephesians 6 is “to stand.” Christ defeated the devil (John 16:11). Our responsibiltiy is simply to stand, hold fast, and resist. The promise, therefore, in Matthew 16 is not for venturing out on some Dungeons and Dragons spiritual crusade, but that the church will not be vaquished by death.
This is why the defensive imagery of gates can be used in an offensive way. Truly, with intense opposition and persecution, the early church was under attack from the gates of hell. But just as Jesus conquered the grave, so the gates of hell–death itself–will not prevail against those who belong to Christ. Those who believe in Christ, though they die, will yet live (John 11:25).
