What does Matthew 16:19 mean?

Loyal Encourager:

What does Matthew 16:19 mean?

Pilgrim:

Matt. 16:19 “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

This is Jesus speaking to Peter after Peters’ confession “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” In Vs. 16.

First Jesus tells Peter that he is blessed because “My Father who is in heaven.”  Revealed it to Peter.

God the Father established in Peters’ eyes the authority of Jesus, with which Jesus continues to task Peter in Vs. 18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”) I will build My church, (The Body of Christ, Purchased with His blood on the cross yet to come. I.e. “Will build”) and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  ( In other words and as stated in other books, death can not hold the new creature in Christ.  Christ has victory over death and likewise raise us.
Vs 19: I will give. Peter does not have them yet, but I believe this happens on the day of pentecost when he is empowered with the Holy Spirit who would teach him all things.  What will Peter be taught, what will be bound and what will be loosed.  This is a way of saying what is permitted and what is not permitted.  This is not leaving to Peters discretion what God would be obligated to do.  Keys will not open any lock only the locks they are designed for.  Peter can not do anything outside of Gods design for the church.  The gospel, salvation through Jesus, the Christ by faith and obedience.  Peter is being assured that what he is given by direction to do will not be subject to change, modification or update.  What he will do through the Spirit is set on earth, in our temporal existence and in heaven, eternally with powers and principalities.
Nothing can change the plans or promises.