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Does this passage support the primacy of Peter as Roman Catholic theologians argue?

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.”

About The Author
James Rochford

James earned a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, graduating magna cum laude. He is the founder of Evidence Unseen and the author of several books. James enjoys serving as a pastor at Dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two sons.