Saints LightWhere Is the Pope in the Bible?
Jesus named Peter the rock, gave him the keys of a royal steward's office, and told him to feed his sheep; the bishops of Rome have carried that office of unity ever since.
What this lesson teaches
- Jesus renamed Simon Rock and said he would build his Church on that rock.
- The keys recall the royal steward of Isaiah 22, an office with successors.
- Scripture shows Peter strengthening his brothers and shepherding the flock, and history shows Rome continuing that role.
- The papacy is meant to be a service of unity.
Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites
- CCC 552-553
- CCC 880-882
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Scripture read in this lesson: Matthew 16:18-19; Isaiah 22:22 (Isaias 22:22 in Douay-Rheims); John 21:17.
A sample question from this lesson
What Old Testament background helps explain the keys in Matthew 16?
- Noah's ark
- The royal steward of Isaiah 22 who received the key of the house of David
- The keys of Solomon's treasury
- The gate of Jericho
Show the answer
The royal steward of Isaiah 22 who received the key of the house of David. Isaiah 22 describes the king's steward receiving the key, an office with authority and successors.
The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.
Words to know
- Keys
- The sign of authority Jesus gave Peter, recalling the royal steward who governed the king's house.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
Read the full lesson in the app
"Where Is the Pope in the Bible?" is lesson 5 of Answers to Hard Questions. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.
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