What did Jesus mean when he said, “Upon this rock I will build my church”?
The name Peter (Gk., Petros) means “rock” or “rock-man.” In the next phrase Christ used petra (upon this rock), a feminine form for “rock,” not a name. Christ used a play on words. He does not say “upon you, Peter” or “upon your successors,” but “upon this rock”—upon this divine revelation and profession of faith in Christ.
https://bible.org/question/what-did-jesus-mean-when-he-said-“upon-rock-i-will-build-my-church”
