keys of the kingdom
Access to everything
Keys of the kingdom refers to authority or access to something important and exclusive.
The phrase comes from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus gives Peter "the keys of the kingdom of heaven"—the power to grant or deny entry.
It now applies to any situation where someone holds decisive control: After twenty years, they finally gave him the keys of the kingdom.
Often used when authority is transferred or withheld.
- entrustmentTransfer of responsibility
- biblicalOf sacred texts
- apostolic authorityLeadership descending from disciples
- accessRight to enter
- unlockingReleasing a secured closure
authority · master key · skeleton key · delegation · church · prophecy · parable · metaphor · divine mandate · Simon Peter · control · holy orders · gatekeeper · theology · threshold · St. Peter · power · papacy
keys of the kingdomlocked out
Unable to enter
banishment · persona non grata · shut out · blacklisted · on the outside looking in
keys of the kingdomgates of hell
Entrance to damnation
damnation · excommunication · anathema · fallen from grace · spiritual exile
keys of the kingdomshown the door
Forced out, terminated
pink slip · fired · demoted · frozen out · cut off
keys, keyed, keying, keyhole, keyboard, keystone, kingdom, kingdoms, king