Used symbolically for authority to open or to shut. Spoken of Eliakim, 'established by God,' as having the key of the house of David laid upon his shoulder: "he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open." Isaiah 22:22 . He is a type of the Lord Jesus, as spoken of in Revelation 3:7 , who has also the keys of hades and of death. Revelation 1:18 . To Peter were given the keys of the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 16:19 , which he opened to the Jews in Acts 2 , and to the Gentiles in Acts 10 . The Lord charged the doctors of the law with taking away the key of knowledge. Luke 11:52 . This they did by their traditions and by hindering those who would have entered in to the blessings brought by Christ.