The Saviour did not commit the work of the gospel to Peter individually. At a later time, repeating the words that were spoken to Peter, He applied them directly to the church. And the same in substance was spoken also to the twelve as representatives of the body of believers. If Jesus had delegated any special authority to one of the disciples above the others, we should not find them so often contending as to who should be the greatest. They would have submitted to the wish of their Master, and honored the one whom He had chosen.

Frelseren overgav ikke evangelietjenesten til Peter personligt. På et senere tidspunkt, hvor han gentog de ord, der var sagt til Peter, rettede han dem direkte til menigheden. Og ord med det samme indhold blev også sagt til de tolv som repræsentanter for de troendes samfund. Hvis Jesus havde tildelt nogen særlig myndighed til en af disciplene frem for de andre, ville vi ikke så ofte have fundet dem i strid om, hvem af dem der skulle være den største. De ville have bøjet sig for deres Mesters ønske og have æret den, som han havde valgt.