Keys of the kingdom

The cross - the key to understanding

The kingdom of heaven is the New Jerusalem which is the new teaching of peace. Jesus said he would give the keys to the new teaching to Peter. A key to teaching is the key to understanding. Immediately after Jesus told Peter he would give the keys, he started teaching about the cross:

Mt 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Mt 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Mt 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Mt 16:18 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.

Mt 16:19 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.

Mt 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Mt 16:21 ¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

The cross is the key to teaching, and the key to understanding.

The Pharisees prevent others from understanding the scriptural prophecies of the cross

Lu 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

The cross: their lord [was] fallen down dead on the earth

Jud 3:25 And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened [them]: and, behold, their lord [was] fallen down dead on the earth.