Mark 8:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

NIV: But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. 'Get behind me, Satan!' he said. 'You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.'

NASB: But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, 'Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but on man’s.'

CSB: But turning around and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! You are not thinking about God's concerns but human concerns."

NLT: Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. 'Get away from me, Satan!' he said. 'You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.'

KJV: But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

NKJV: But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Mark 8 seems to demonstrate repetitions of the temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness (Mark 1:12–13; Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13). Here, Satan—via Peter—again tempts Jesus to save the world with a short-cut. In Matthew 4:8–10, Satan offers to give up his hold on the world and humanity if Jesus will worship him. Then, as now, Jesus knows that there is no way to truly save the world without the cross.

The problem with Satan's offer is that it is the near-sighted "thing of man." Without Satan's influence on earth, life would undoubtedly be easier and more peaceful. Although mankind would still sin, that sin would not be strategically manipulated and amplified by demonic forces. But without the cross, there is no eternal life. In our natural state, sin still separates us from God, and even without Satan's interference, there is no way we can change that.

Peter has taken Jesus aside (Mark 8:32), but the disciples are close and keep track of the conversation. Shortly before, Jesus commends Peter's words, saying, "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). Now, Jesus strongly rebukes Peter in front of the men for whom he speaks. If Peter and Jesus had been alone, Jesus would have dealt with Peter in private (Matthew 18:15–20). When Peter denies Jesus in the vicinity of John (John 18:15–18), Jesus reconciles with Peter while John tags along behind (John 21:15–20). But when Peter makes a foolish statement in front of the disciples, Jesus must correct the situation so that the truth is clear to everyone present.

Mark 8:31–33 is the tipping point of the Gospel of Mark. The theme shifts from ''who is Jesus'' to ''what is expected of Jesus Messiah?'' In the next chapter is the transfiguration (Mark 9:2–13). In chapters 9 and 10, Jesus again predicts His death (Mark 9:30–32; 10:32–34). Then begins Passion Week with the triumphal entry (Mark 11:1–11). As in Jesus' next two prophecies of His coming death, the disciples are so intent on their own interpretations of what ''Messiah'' means that they refuse to accept Jesus' very clear warnings. Peter's stubbornness is also recorded in Matthew 16:21–23.

This chapter describes another miraculous feeding of thousands by Jesus. He also counters the hard-hearted and selfish hypocrisy of the Pharisees in seeking even more miraculous signs. Speaking to the disciples, Jesus rebukes their short memories and reminds them about God's intent to provide for His followers. After healing a blind man, Jesus accepts Peter's proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah. Almost immediately, though, Jesus rebukes Peter for resisting the idea that the Messiah must suffer and die.

Mark 8 continues Jesus' attempts to teach the disciples God's plan for the Messiah. Jesus has not come for the religious Pharisees but for the meek who willingly respond to Him. He has not yet come as the glorious and victorious champion of Israel, but to die for the whole world. And His followers must also be willing to sacrifice their lives. The chapter marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry as His miracles grow fewer and His teaching increases. Interestingly, Jesus also faces a repeat of the temptations He experienced in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11).

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.