What does it mean to Bind and Loose?

What does it mean to Bind and Loose?

After laying down the foundation for his council of elders, Christ gives Peter this proclamation:

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This verse has been interpreted by many to mean that they have the authority to take away sin, some sects say they have the power to curse and take away curses, while others claim to have power to bind Satan.

But what is Christ really telling his disciples?

Let’s tackle it from an Hebraic perspective.

So what does it mean?

Binding and loosing in ancient Jerusalem, was a phrase used by the Sanhedrin to say if something was “forbidden” or “allowed”.

This authority was first given to the Levitical Priest and appointed elders of the tribes, it was stripped from them when the Pharisee came to power, but in Matthew 16 Christ gives this authority His disciples.

In the Pharisical system of binding and loosing

the leaders of the Sanhedrin would come together to hear a matter and argue their interpretations of that matter based on Jewish Law and the Torah. Their legal system was a majority vote wins, so whichever party got the most votes their ruling became law.

When it comes to the disciples we see an example of how they used binding and loosing in acts 15: When a group of judaizers came preaching that it was necessary for gentiles to be circumcised for salvation.

“And certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

After much deliberation Peter explains why it is unnecessary to be circumcised for salvation; while James makes the final ruling.

“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:19-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

James and Peter loosed the bind that was placed on the gentiles by Pharisee, and made a ruling that they should abstain from idols, fornication, strangled foods and from blood but more importantly he said that they should get to a synagogue on sabbath days to hear the teachings of Moses.

Who can Bind and Loose today?

Short answer….. No one! This may come as a shocker, but this authority was given solely to the twelve. It is the twelve disciples who will join Christ in the regeneration passing righteous judgement on the twelve tribes of Israel.

“Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Shalom.