Translations And Versions Compared -- Matt. 16:18
There are a number of ways or methods by which we can make a study of the Bible, or a study of its teachings upon some certain subject. Some may prefer to take one version of the English Bible and compare all the scripture quotations upon one specific subject. Others may prefer to read the Bible and then read a number of commentators and their opinions upon a certain passage. But, the method of Bible study that we are suggesting in this treatise is that of simply reading and comparing a given verse as given by a number of translators. We have selected Matthew 16:18, for the study in this article — although if any of the readers of this paper desire similar lists of some particular verse, we shall be happy to compile such lists, if the editor thinks the investigation to be worthy of the space given.
King James Version
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
English Revised Version Of 1881
"And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." A footnote is given indicating that the word 'Peter' is translated from Petros, and that 'rock' is taken from another Greek word petra.
Revised Standard Version Of 1946
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it." A footnote concerning Peter (Petros) and rock (petra) is also given. Another footnote relating to the expression 'powers of death,' indicates the Greek as literally, `the gates of Hades.'
Living Oracles, Published In 1832
"I tell you, likewise, you are named Stone; and on this rock I will build my congregation, over which the gates of Hades shall not prevail."
Twentieth Century New Testament, 1900
"Yes, and I say to you, Your name is 'Peter' — a Rock, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the Powers of Death shall not prevail over it."
Weymouth's Translation
"And I declare to you that you are Peter, and that upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the might of Hades shall not triumph over it."
Cunnington's Translation, 1935
"But I also say to thee, that thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." A footnote in reference to the word 'Peter' reads: "i.e., a piece of rock (petros)." A second footnote indicates that the Greek word for the word 'rock' is petra. A third footnote concerning the word 'church' reads: "Or congregation, assembly (Greek, ecelesia — Called out, summoned)." A fourth footnote dealing with 'shall not prevail against it,' reads: "By detaining her Lord; Acts 2:24 ' — whom God raised up, relieving the birth-pangs of Death, because it was not possible that he should be held fast by it'."
Anderson's Translation, 1866
"And I say to you, That you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church: and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it."
Sawyer's Translation, 1858
"And I tell you that you are Peter (a rock), and upon this rock will I build my assembly, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it."
Berry's Interlinear Literal Translation, 1897
"And I also to thee say, That thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and gates of hades shall not prevail against it."
Wilson's Emphatic Diaglott, 1864
"Moreover, I also say to thee, That thou art a Rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the Gates of Hades shall not triumph over it." This reading is taken from Wilson's 'New Version'; however, on the same page, his interlinear translation reads: — "And also I to thee, say, that thou art a rock, and upon this the rock I will build of me the church, and gates of hades shall not prevail against her."
Lamsa's Translation, 1940
"I tell you also that you are a stone, and upon this stone I will build my church; and the doors of Sheol shall not shut in on it."
American Bible Union Version, 1883
"And I also say to thee, that thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
Swann's Translation, 1947
"Moreover, I say unto thee that thou art Peter, and on this rock will I build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."
New World Translation, 1950
"Also I say to you, You are Peter, and on this rock-mass I will build my congregation, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." A footnote reads: "petra, meaning a cliff or mass of rock, whereas petros (petrus), which applies to Peter, means a piece of rock, a stone. The Peshitta and Curetonian Syriac manuscripts have 'kepha' for both 'Peter' and 'rock,' but 'Peter' is preceded by the masculine verbal pronoun (hu) showing that 'kepha' meaning 'Peter' is masculine, whereas 'rock' is preceded by the feminine demonstrative adjective (ha de). So this second 'kepha' meaning 'rock' is feminine. Thus the Syriac Version agrees with the original Greek text."
Montgomery's Translation, 1924
"Moreover I say to you that you are Petros (a rock), and on this petra (rock) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against her."
Wesley's Translation, 1790
"And I say also to thee, Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Goodspeed's Translation, 1923
"But I tell you, your name is Peter, a rock, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not subdue it."
Moffatt's Translation
"Now I tell you, Peter is your name, and on this rock I will build my church; the powers of Hades shall not succeed against it." A footnote is given as follows: "English fails to bring out the play on the Greek word for rock.' The French version reproduces it: 'Et moi je to dis aussi que to es le Pierre, et sur cette pierre je batirai mon eglise'."
Knox's Translation, 1951
"And I tell thee this in my turn, that thou art Peter, and it is upon this rock that I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
William's Translation, 1950
"And I, yes I, tell you, your name from now on is to be Peter, Rock, and on a massive rock like you I will build my church, and the powers of the underworld shall never overthrow it." A footnote is given in reference to the phrase `a massive rock like you': "A different word from the word translated Peter, i.e., petra, a massive rock, rocky ledge; this rock means one like you."
Conclusion
In the preceding material, we have given a total of twenty-one different versions and translations of Matthew 16:18. Others are at hand and still more could be secured; however, we believe that sufficient variety and readings have been herein given. It is not the writer's intention to stress any one certain reading. We do think that the difference between PETROS AND PETRA has been well delineated.