I am sure that most of you have heard this verse in a sermon, read it in a book, or saw it on a bumper sticker at some point in your life. Typically, it is used to encourage Christians that Satan, his demons, and his stronghold will not overcome the Church. But, in order to understand what the verse is actually saying, first we have to understand what the words being used actually mean. Here is a more accurate translation of the verse:
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18 (HCSB)
First, we have the word “church” (ecclesia), which basically means “gathered, assembly, or those called out.” It is interesting to note that this is the very first usage of the word for church in the New Testament, and it is only used twice (both times by Matthew) in the Gospels. Jesus is telling Peter that He will build His church on Peter’s declaration that Christ is the “Messiah, the Son of the living God.” The church is not a building, it is those who are called out, the followers of Christ, all across the world, whether living or dead.
Next let’s clarify what “Hades” means. It is not “Hell.” Hades and Hell are two different places. Hell typically refers to the final place where the unrighteous are cast into, also known as the “Lake of fire.” Hades is the place of the human dead awaiting judgment. Hades, as used in the New Testament, is called “Sheol” in the Old Testament. Here is an example:
“...because you will not abandon me in Hades or allow your holy one to see decay.” Acts 2:27
“....concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay.” Acts 2:31
“But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol, for he will take me.” Psalms 49:15
“For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.” Psalms 16:10
So, based on that, what does “gates of Hades” refer to? It is not the kingdom of Satan, or the stronghold of the Devil. Hell is not someplace Satan is in charge of as so many Christians imagine. Satan is thrown into Hell and contained there the Bible says. Satan is also not in charge of Hades. Hades/Sheol in the Old Testament is where the dead go and are held until judgment occurs. “Gates” in the Bible typically refers to the city itself. It is where the business of the city occurs, and the gates describe attributes of the city. They also represent the strength of the city. So, the “gates of Hades/Sheol” does not refer to Satan, or Satan’s forces, or even Satan’s stronghold prevailing against the church.
So then, what is the actual meaning of “gates of Hades?” We actually see that exact phrase (using the Old Testament word Sheol) used twice in the Old Testament. In both of these, the gates of Hades (Sheol) are used to refer to the place of the dead, or more simply, death. Here are those verses:
“Will it go down to the gates of Sheol, or will we descend together to the dust?” Job 17:16
“I said: In the prime of my life I must go to the gates of Sheol; I am deprived of the rest of my years.” Isaiah 38:10
Additionally, in the book of Revelation, several verses tie Hades and death together. It is implied that death and Hades are closely connected, and in fact the same thing.
“... I was dead, but look — I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:18
“And I looked, and there was a pale green horse. Its rider was named death, and Hades was following after him. They were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.” Rev. 6:8
“Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works.” Rev. 20:13
“Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.” Rev. 20:14
In fact, the whole chapter of Matthew 16 is focused on Jesus’ death and resurrection. In the section just prior to Matthew 16:18, Jesus discussed the “sign of Jonah.” The sign of Jonah was the symbolic story of Jonah being in the belly of the fish for 3 days and 3 nights, and then being delivered alive onto the shore. Jesus pointed to this story as a sign of His upcoming death and then resurrection after 3 days and 3 nights. Jesus would conquer death and live again.
“The Pharisees and Sadducees approached, and tested him, asking him to show them a sign from heaven…”An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah”...” Matthew 16:1,4
And the section immediately following Matthew 16:18 details Jesus telling His disciples that He is going to die, but, that He will defeat death. He will be resurrected into a glorified body and live again. And just as He is the FIrst Fruits of many, so we shall live again as well.
“From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.” Matthew 16:21
So, pulling all of this together, what does Matthew 16:18 actually mean to us as Christians? Simply put, the church (the gathered, assembled, called out) of Christ will not be overpowered by death. Jesus will conquer and destroy death by His crucifixion and resurrection act, and we as His church will not be overpowered by death as a result. We need not fear death, for it no longer has a claim on us. Christ has obtained eternal life for those who accept Him through His death and resurrection on the cross.
