The Power to Bind and Loose Assur and Mutar in Jewish Law
In this article, we continue to look at the legal context of New Testament saying. We will explore "binding and loosing," their role in legal rule-making, and how these terms have been misinterpreted through time.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus spoke to his students about their power of 'binding and loosing." Many conclusions have been drawn as to what it could mean, but the popular interpretations seem unaware that these terms originated in Jewish legal discourse.
We’ll uncover the origin of this concept, explore Jesus's contextual usage, and challenge the common understandings of these terms.
New Testament Appearances
Mention of binding and loosing can be found in two places in the Gospels, and both are in Matthew. The circumstances of their usage are important.
1. Matthew 16:19 - Speaking to Peter
The first appearance is in Matthew 16:19, where Jesus and Peter are speaking, when Peter connects Jesus’s Messiah status¹. Jesus replies:
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” - Matthew 16:19
2. Matthew 18:18 - Speaking to a Group
The second appearance is in Matthew 18. Here, the context is similar, but Jesus is speaking with a group of disciples, related to conflict management in the community.
'Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ' - Matthew 18:18
Power to the Papal?
Historically, Catholic tradition has favored Matthew 16, viewing it as the moment Peter became the head of the church.
"Jesus entrusted a specific authority to Peter... The 'power of the keys' designates authority to govern the house of God, which is the Church... The power to 'bind and loose' connotes the authority to absolve sins, to pronounce doctrinal judgments, and to make disciplinary decisions in the Church. Jesus entrusted this authority to the Church through the ministry of the apostles and in particular through the ministry of Peter, the only one to whom he specifically entrusted the keys of the kingdom."
— Catechism of the Catholic Church 553
In the Catholic Catechism, "binding and loosing" is a license to "absolve sins and pronounce doctrinal judgments." The Papacy views itself as the unequivocal successor to Peter's authority, having formally received these "keys" of authority.
As you might imagine, Protestants disagree. However, perhaps favoring the broader understanding of Matthew 18, the Protestant reading extends the power of binding and loosing with much less hierarchy.
Who is right?
The Origin of "Binding and Loosing"
Binding and loosing are not arbitrary metaphors. They are specific Rabbinic legal terms, and this changes how Jesus's message should be understood.
The Hebrew word Assur (אָסוּר) means "bind," to forbid, or prohibit. Its opposite, Mutar (מֻתָּר), means to permit or allow.
| Term | Hebrew | Meaning | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bind | אסור | Forbid | Prohibiting an act |
| Loose | מותר | Permit | Allowing an act |
Why Do We Bind and Loose?
As we have covered, scripture does not speak exhaustively on the practical details of Torah observance³. Since ancient times, the Rabbis have been tasked with figuring these out.
In general, a Rabbi's job is to help those in their community connect with and uphold the Torah commandments, to the best of their ability. In many cases, a situation might warrant a new leniency or stringency where appropriate.
If an activity begins to encroach on a prohibitive commandment, the Torah affords leaders the authority to permit or forbid that activity, though it might not be a direct violation, technically.
For example, as it is forbidden to spend money on Shabbat, an enacted protection is to avoid handling money on Shabbat altogether to avoid accidental use.
When someone wanted to introduce a prohibition or allowance, assuming it aligned with the Torah, a body of leaders would discuss the idea to ensure the principle was sound and relevant scenarios had been considered.
Tying Up Heavy Burdens
A related analogy is in the language of "tying up a yoke." If something is bound, it is an obligation, something to carry. If loosened, it is no longer a burden; it is permitted.