Matthew 16:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

NIV: Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.'

NASB: But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.'

CSB: Jesus turned and told Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you're not thinking about God's concerns but human concerns."

NLT: Jesus turned to Peter and said, 'Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.'

KJV: But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

NKJV: But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Peter's approach to Jesus (Matthew 16:22) would have been inappropriate for any student-teacher relationship in that culture. Disciples simply did not talk to their masters in such a way, directly contradicting them. It should also be shocking that Peter felt comfortable correcting the one he had described as the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16). That Peter would go so far as to scold Jesus—the Greek term epitimaō implies rebuke and reprimand—speaks to how strongly he was reacting to Jesus' recent claims (Matthew 16:21).

It was utterly foreign to Peter and the other disciples to think Messiah would willingly allow Himself to be killed by the Jewish religious leaders. In their minds, this simply couldn't happen. Peter's knowledge of who Jesus was did not overcome his assumptions about what He would do. Even today, many people become discouraged or disillusioned with Christ when they discover He's not going to do things exactly as they'd prefer (John 6:65–66).

Jesus' response to Peter may be even more shocking. Matthew has just reported on the moment in which Jesus praised Peter enthusiastically and declared that Peter now possessed the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:17–19). Now Jesus turns to Peter and says, "Get behind me, Satan!"

Interpreters of this passage sometimes disagree about whether Jesus is literally speaking to Peter, calling him "Satan," or speaking directly to Satan for his role in confusing Peter. Either is possible since a theme of Satan's earlier temptations (Matthew 4:1–11) was to interfere with Jesus' mission as a sacrificial Messiah. One way or the other, this is a devastating response.

Jesus goes further, saying to Peter he is a hindrance and obstacle to Jesus. More than just not helping, Peter is actively getting in the way. Jesus is clear: This is happening because Peter's mind is on human things and not the things of God.

What are those human things Peter is focused on? Perhaps he is focused on himself and his ability to protect Jesus from harm. As Peter shows in his claim during the Last Supper (John 13:37), and his actions when Jesus is arrested (John 18:10–11), he seems overly confident in his own power. Certainly, Peter and all the others are focused on Jesus' ability to overthrow the Romans and return Israel to power and prominence. They are also thinking about, on some level, what parts each of them will play when the Messiah establishes His powerful kingdom on earth (Matthew 18:1). They do not yet understand how essential it is for Jesus to suffer and die and be resurrected to complete His mission.

Matthew 16:21–28 describes the disciples' reaction when Jesus reveals He must be killed by religious leaders and raised on the third day. Peter, recently praised for His faith (Matthew 16:17), chastises Jesus for saying such things. Jesus responds with a devastating rebuke of His own, saying "Get behind me, Satan!" Peter's insistence that Messiah could not be killed is based in his own assumptions, not truth. Christ warns that those who follow Him must be willing to give up all else in the world, and to take on hardship and persecution, as needed. He adds that some standing there will not die before seeing Him coming in His kingdom; this prediction is fulfilled in the next passage (Matthew 17:1–2).

A group of Pharisees and Sadducees demand a miracle from Jesus, though He has already performed many. Jesus refuses and warns the disciples to beware of the teachings of these religious leaders. Jesus asks the disciples who the people say He is, as well as their own opinion. Peter says Jesus is the Christ, and is commended for that statement. Jesus begins to reveal that He must suffer and be killed before being raised on the third day. Peter's attempt to scold Jesus results in a devastating rebuke. Jesus then says all who would follow Him must take up crosses of self-denial.

Matthew 16 finds Jesus returned from the Gentile regions, only to be immediately confronted by another group of Jewish religious leaders. Yet again, these men prove they are insincere: no amount of evidence will ever be enough for them. After a dramatic discussion about Jesus' role as Messiah, Jesus indicates that those who would come after Him must take up their crosses and follow Him. His references to some seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom will be fulfilled at the beginning of chapter 17, in an event known as the transfiguration.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.