the keys. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the power to open. Christ has the keys of Hades; Peter had the keys of the kingdom. See next note.
the kingdom of heaven. the kingdom of the heavens. See App-112, and App-114. This power Peter exercised in Acts 2 in Israel, and Acts 10 among the Gentiles. Not the "Church" of the mystery (Ephesians 3).
thou shalt bind, &c. This power was given to the others (Matthew 18:18; John 20:23), and exercised in Acts 5:1-11; Acts 5:12-16. Whatever authority is implied, no power was given to communicate it to others, or to them in perpetuity. Binding and loosing is. Hebrew idiom for exercising authority. To bind. to declare what shall be binding (e.g. laws and precepts) and what shall be not binding.
on. Greek. epi. App-104.