The passage of Scripture in which Jesus used the phrase Gates of Hell is problematic. Some translations of the Bible have Gates of Hell while others have Gates of Hades. Refraining from speculation as to the reason for this difference, the Greek text of Matthew 16:18 is unmistakable. It reads, Gates of Hades. So, let's rephrase the question, “What Did Jesus mean by the Gates of Hades?”
The Occasion
Jesus asked His disciples how other people had identified Him. Then, Peter spoke up with his well-known confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To that declaration of faith Jesus responded, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
The Meaning of ‘Gates of Hades’
In my recent article on Hades I concluded that the Greek term for Hades referred to the temporary place of torment for the souls of the ungodly after death. Simple reasoning would suggest, then, that the Gates of Hades, that is, the entryway into Hades, is a figurative reference to death. In other words, only through death does a person enter into Hades. So, again, by simple reasoning...
Gates of Hades = death.
Of course, there are times in which a phrase takes on a cultural meaning somewhat different than the simple combination of words forming the phrase. Since this phrase, Gates of Hades, is used only once in the Bible, it would be interesting to know if it was used elsewhere in Greek literature. And the answer is, “Yes, it was.”
Going back as far as Homer (800 B.C.) and as recent as apocryphal literature (150 B.C.), the phrase Gates of Hades was used consistently as a figure of speech for death.
The Meaning of Matthew 16:18
Based on the usage in ancient Greek literature, we could substitute the word death for the phrase Gates of Hades without loss of meaning. Unfortunately, the speculation of some scholars over the meaning of this phrase has led to confusion, and perhaps even influenced the way translators have rendered this passage.
Some scholars explain that the Gates of Hades “is an orientalism for the court, throne, power, and dignity of the infernal kingdom. Hades is contemplated as a mighty city, with formidable, frowning portals….” (Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament) Some go on to explain that Satan rules over the Hadean realm striving to overcome the kingdom of God. However, these conclusions lack support in Scripture.
Look at the simplicity of Jesus’ statement to Peter: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) shall not overcome it.”
Why Jesus chose to use a figure of speech for death is unclear. Yet, His meaning was clear. Jesus was not talking about a city or kingdom called Hades, but simply death. He said that death would not overcome His church.
The writer of Hebrews stated: “...it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment….” (9:27) We probably do not need a verse of Scripture to tell us that we will all die someday. However, there is a question about the power of death. Will death have the final say, or is there hope for something more?
The words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18 provide brilliant hope for those who are a part of His church, the kingdom of God. Death will not overcome!
Of course, there are times in which a phrase takes on a cultural meaning somewhat different than the simple combination of words forming the phrase. Since this phrase, Gates of Hades, is used only once in the Bible, it would be interesting to know if it was used elsewhere in Greek literature. And the answer is, “Yes, it was.”
Going back as far as Homer (800 B.C.) and as recent as apocryphal literature (150 B.C.), the phrase Gates of Hades was used consistently as a figure of speech for death.
The Meaning of Matthew 16:18
Based on the usage in ancient Greek literature, we could substitute the word death for the phrase Gates of Hades without loss of meaning. Unfortunately, the speculation of some scholars over the meaning of this phrase has led to confusion, and perhaps even influenced the way translators have rendered this passage.
Some scholars explain that the Gates of Hades “is an orientalism for the court, throne, power, and dignity of the infernal kingdom. Hades is contemplated as a mighty city, with formidable, frowning portals….” (Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament) Some go on to explain that Satan rules over the Hadean realm striving to overcome the kingdom of God. However, these conclusions lack support in Scripture.
Look at the simplicity of Jesus’ statement to Peter: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) shall not overcome it.”
Why Jesus chose to use a figure of speech for death is unclear. Yet, His meaning was clear. Jesus was not talking about a city or kingdom called Hades, but simply death. He said that death would not overcome His church.
The writer of Hebrews stated: “...it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment….” (9:27) We probably do not need a verse of Scripture to tell us that we will all die someday. However, there is a question about the power of death. Will death have the final say, or is there hope for something more?
The words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18 provide brilliant hope for those who are a part of His church, the kingdom of God. Death will not overcome!
Jesus has promised life after death to those in His church!
Mark Stinnett
Mark Stinnett
July 17, 2022
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