35. The keys of the kingdom of the heavens were given to Peter, because he represented the Lord as to Divine Truth; and this is what is meant by "rock," throughout the whole of the Sacred Scripture. On this account [it is said],

Upon this rock, that is, on this Divine Truth, "will I build My Church," namely, the truth that the Lord is "the Son of the living God. "

It shall be shown from the Word, that "rock" has this signification.

("Rock" in the Word: Exodus 17:6; 33:21-22; Numbers 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 8:15; 32:4-37; 1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:2-3, 32, 47; 23:3; Psalms 18:2, 31, 46; 28:1; 31:2-3; 40:2; 42:9; 62:2, 7; 78:16, 20, 35; 89:26; 92:15; 94:22; 95:1; 105:41; Isaiah 2:10; 22:16; 42:11; 1 Corinthians 10:4). ("Fissures of the rock" denote falsified truths, Revelation 6:15-16; Isaiah 2:19; Jeremiah 16:16; Song of Solomon 2:14; Isaiah 48:21; Jeremiah 23:29; 49:16; Obadiah 1:3; besides in the Gospels.)

In this wise also some of the Fathers explained it (see Formula Concordiae, p. 345).