In this passage, Jesus asked His disciples what others said about Him and what they said (Matthew 16:13-15). Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). This was the basis for Jesus’ promise to build His church (Matthew 16:18). He then said that not even “the gates of Hades” would “overpower it” or “prevail against it” (KJV). Hades is the realm of departed spirits (cf. Luke 16:19-31). Jesus’ point was this – death was not going to stop His plan for His church. In this lesson, we are going to notice four ways in which this is true.
