Jesus renamed Simon bar-Jonah for a purpose. The literalness

of the play on words--a linguistic pun--is made clear. A pun

is a pun because of the literalness of the play on words. This

 was precisely what Jesus was saying. "You are Rocky and

on this rock I will build my church." His intent becomes clear

when we examine the Aramaic in which language Jesus

addressed Peter.

 

 'aph     'ena'     'amar-na'    lak         da'(n)t-(h)uw      ke'pha'   

 and        I         say - I      to thee     that-thou-art       Kephas  

 

 we`'al        hade'      ke'pha'      'ebneyh                 le`i(d)tiy             

 and upon     this        rock      I will build her   namely my church