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What does the Bible say about the keys to the kingdom?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that the keys of the kingdom represent Christ's authority, exercised through the gospel, to declare forgiveness to repentant believers and judgment to those who reject him. In Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18, Jesus entrusts this ministerial authority to his church, not as power to alter heaven's will, but to faithfully announce what heaven has established through Christ. Isaiah 22:22 foreshadows this authority in the key given to David's steward, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who holds the keys of death and Hades (Revelation 1:18). The church therefore opens the kingdom by preaching Christ, calling sinners to faith and repentance, and practicing faithful discipline.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Matthew 16:19 14 votes

    I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will be released in heaven."

  • Isaiah 22:22 6 votes

    The key of the house of David will I lay on his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

  • Matthew 18:18 6 votes

    Most assuredly I tell you, whatever things you will bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever things you will release on earth will be released in heaven.

  • Revelation 1:18 3 votes

    and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

  • Isaiah 22:20-23 3 votes

    [20] It shall happen in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: [21] and I will cloth him with your robe, and strengthen him with your belt, and I will commit your government into his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. [22] The key of the house of David will I lay on his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. [23] I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a throne of glory to his father's house.

  • 1 Peter 3:22 3 votes

    who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

  • Revelation 5:10 2 votes

    And made them kings and priests to our God, And they reign on earth."

  • Matthew 16:18 2 votes

    I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

  • John 20:23 2 votes

    Whoever's sins you forgive, they are forgiven them. Whoever's sins you retain, they have been retained."

  • Matthew 6:33 2 votes

    But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

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