[AnAmericanMother]

I'm trying to tell you . . . Greek grammar doesn't work that way. There aren't parallel constructions like "you -- Peter" Especially not in Koine Greek, which is a very simple and straightforward language.

kagw de soi legw oti su ei petroV, kai epi tauth th petra oikodomhsw mou thn ekklhsian, kai pulai adou ou katiscusousin authV.

Literally translated: "And I therefore/also say to thee, that thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build my ecclesia/church, and gates of Hades shall not prevail against/overcome it." In other words, "on this rock (not some other rock)." His use of the adjective th parallels the 1st and 2nd use of "rock". And "rock" has a masculine ending because you couldn't call Peter "Rockette" - you could call him "Rocky", I guess. One of the modern/teen language Bibles actually perpetrates that.

[OLD REGGIE]

"you could call him "Rocky"..."

That's exactly what Augustine called Peter. Forget about a mordern/teenage Bible. Try Augustine.

[Salvation]

Thanks for the lesson in Greek! wow -- I am impressed.

[the808bass]

I'm trying to tell you . . . Greek grammar doesn't work that way. There aren't parallel constructions like "you -- Peter" Especially not in Koine Greek, which is a very simple and straightforward language.

I agree with you on the Greek grammar. There's not much room to dance on grammar. Which makes it all the more curious as to why the Church fathers dance. Why do they say time after time that it's the confession which is the rock? Or both? Or say one and then later retract and leave it up to the reader (as Augustine did)?