While looking for whatever, I don’t recall, I found at THIS SITE a very good argument in defense of the Papacy. Like most arguments he uses “the keys”, or Matthew 16:18 and he used a verse that I never considered before. Gen 41:40-44, but it’s even more important to look at that in the larger context of what is being done because it’s very significant. In this is a comparison of two Kings or rulers, Jesus and Pharaoh, and two men, both from a group of 12 and both the favorite among the 12. Joseph one of 12 brothers and Peter is one of 12 Apostles. The text of the Bible here is from the KJV. Italics and headings are my comments.
| Genesis 41:15-45 | Matthew 16:13-18 |
|---|---|
| Pharaoh asks a question that nobody can answer correctly | Jesus asks a question that nobody can answer correctly |
| Gen 41:15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. Gen 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. |
Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? |
| Joseph is guided by God to give correct answer | Peter is guided by God to give the correct answer |
| Gen 41:25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.Joseph proceeds to answer the question | Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. |
| Pharaoh recognizes God’s guidance in Joseph’s answer | Jesus recognizes God’s guidance in Peter’s answer |
| Gen 41:39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: | Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. |
| Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of his kingdom He gives Joseph a new name and binds himself to Joseph’s rule, except when he’s in throne. |
Jesus puts Peter in charge of His kingdom and binds heaven and earth to Peter’s charge. He gives Peter a new name, which means “Rock” |
| Gen 41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. Gen 41:41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. Gen 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; Gen 41:44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. Gen 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; |
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee (singular for ‘you’), That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee (again, singular) the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou (singular = 1 person = Peter) shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou (singular again) shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Peter is given the keys. Jesus addresses him with the singular form for ‘you’ meaning that he’s not talking to everyone there, but just Peter) |
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I snipped out the sequence where Joseph interprets the dream and where Pharaoh describes the dream and a couple of
St Peter Holding The Keys to Paradies
other verses. They are not necessary, nor do they necessarily add or detract from the presentation above. It’s just much easier to see the relation without them as the Genesis text is much larger. I encourage you to read the whole thing if you think I did anything dishonest.
The parallel there is in the entire text. In each case Joseph and Peter were asked what they thought after all others proved to be wrong or unable to answer. In both cases, Pharaoh and Jesus recognized that it was God who provided the right answer to Joseph and Peter. As such, in both instances, they were given a new name and they were given power over the entire kingdom. Pharaoh at Gn 41:40 said “only in the throne will I be greater than thou.” Jesus is in the throne in heaven.
Everything in the Old Testament points to the New Testament.
The power of the “keys” are explained elsewhere…
Isaiah 22:21-22
Isa 22:21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
Isa 22:22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
For more evidence I highly recommend that you go the this site Biblical Evidence for Catholicism. There he offers more scriptural citations to help you understand exactly what is meant by the authority given to Peter by Jesus. None of this is to say that other Bishops have not also been given the keys to bind and loose, but there is a uniqueness to what Jesus does with Peter here as he is set apart from the others.
Eph 2:19-20 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
PS. How many brothers did Joseph have? How many apostles were there?
