How have Christians interpreted Jesus’ statement that he would build his church on Peter?

In the Gospel According to Matthew (16:18), Jesus says to Peter, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." Interpretations of this passage have been central to Christian history, particularly regarding the authority of the papacy.

The Petrine Theory

The Roman Catholic Church relies on the Petrine theory to assert the theological legitimacy of the pope’s primacy. This interpretation holds that:
* Jesus directly established St. Peter the Apostle as the prince of the Apostles and the visible head of the church.1
* The "rock" refers to the person of Peter himself.2
* This authority, including the "keys of the Kingdom," was not limited to Peter but was passed down in perpetuity to his successors, the bishops of Rome.31

Scholarly and Historical Perspectives

While the traditional Catholic view is widely recognized, interpretations have varied:
* Historical Context: Some scholars have noted that in the 1st century, the term "church" likely referred to the community of the faithful rather than a formal ecclesiastical organization.2
* Alternative Views: Historically, some authorities suggested the "rock" might refer to Peter’s faith or to Jesus himself, though the consensus among most modern scholars is that the text traditionally refers to Peter’s person.2
* Development of Primacy: The use of Matthew 16:18 to claim specific Roman supremacy evolved over centuries, notably gaining prominence in the 3rd century and being formally defined by Vatican I as a primacy of true jurisdiction.41