The Gates of Hades

When Jesus told Peter that the gates of Hades would not prevail against the church, Jesus and his disciples were standing near a place called the “Gates of Hades.” That place still exists today. It consists of a cave under a hill that the ancient pagans claimed was one of the entrances to Hades. There were several of these pagan cave shrines in Europe and Asia. Many of the “Gates of Hades” shrines had false prophets who claimed to be able to talk with the dead and with the gods of the underworld. This provides the setting for the discussion between Jesus and his disciples concerning who Jesus is. The church of living stones like Peter was built by the Son of the living God as opposed to the pagan “Gates of Hades” shrines composed of holes in the rocky ground.

Dr. J. Clontz – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament

Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 But Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.