CLAIM: Roman Catholic theologians note that a “shepherd” was a metaphor for kingly authority (2 Sam. 5:2). From this, it is argued that Jesus was putting Peter in the position of authority over the other apostles. Is this the case?

RESPONSE: Not at all. The metaphor of the shepherd has already been referenced in John 10 to refer to servant leadership—not kingly authority. Moreover, the other usages of “shepherding” in the NT make it clear that all pastors should be “shepherds” in this sense (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4). This notion is simply reading into this text a concept that is not there.

For further reading, see “Papal Infallibility” and “Papal Succession.”