Ialmisry, who is the rock?
yes, but in (Matt 16:19) when Jesus says thou are Peter, and upon this rock it was obvious even to these orthodox scholars who Jesus was referring to as the rock
This work (The Primacy of Peter) was edited by the famous Eastern "Orthodox" scholar John Meyendorf. In this Eastern "Orthodox" work, it is repeatedly admitted that the Bible teaches that peter is the rock:
"There is a formal and real identity between Peter and rock. jesus will build the church upon Cephas." p 48
"By confessing his faith in the divinity of the Savior, Peter became the Rock of the Church." p 72
St. John Chrysostom, Homily 3, De. poenit. 4, 387 A.D "Peter himself the head or crown of the Apostles...when I name Peter I name that unbroken ROCK, that firm foundation..."
St Basil the Great (330-379 A.D) Against Eunomians, 4
"Peter...ho on account of the pre-eminence of his faith recieved UPON HIMSELF the building of the Church."
St Gregory Nazienzen, great Eastern father (329-389 A.D), Oration 26 "of all the disciples of Christ, all of whom were great and desrving of the choice, one is called ROCK and entrusted with the foundations of the Church..."
The keys of the kingdom are given to Peter
Jesus prays for Peter's faith to fail not in Luke 22:24-32?
Peter is mentioned over 100 times in the new testament, the next closest apostle is St John, who is named 29 times
every list of the 12 apostles has Peter first
In Matthew's list , Peter is not only mentioned first, but called "first" or "chief" Matthew 10: " Now the names......The first (protos) is called Peter
The Greek word used in Matthew 10:2 (protos) means first or chief or principal.
Peter takes the prime role in the replacement of Judas in Acts 1:15-20
In Acts 2 we see St Peter's primacy as the pope in his long speech to the jews.
The first gentile convert is told to specifically go to St Peter. the head of the church in Acts 10:4-6
Jesus entrusts all his sheep to Peter in John 21
So let me rephrase the question , who is the Rock in Matthew 16-19 ?