Mark 8 33

Mark 8:33 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.

Mark 8:33 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 8:33 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."

Mark 8:33 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."

Mark 8:33 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."

Mark 8 verses

Mark 8 33 Meaning

Mark 8:33 reveals Jesus’ immediate and forceful rebuke of Peter, who had just tried to divert Him from His foretold path of suffering and death. This act exposed Peter’s human-centered understanding of the Messiah's role, which unknowingly aligned with the devil's efforts to thwart God's divine plan of salvation through the cross. Jesus' stern words emphasize the critical nature of obedience to God's will over human comfort or worldly aspirations.

Mark 8 33 Context

Mark 8:33 follows immediately after Peter’s profound confession, "You are the Christ" (Mark 8:29), a divinely revealed truth. Directly after this pivotal confession, Jesus begins to teach His disciples clearly for the first time about His essential destiny: that the Son of Man must suffer greatly, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and after three days rise again (Mark 8:31). This shocking revelation of a suffering Messiah directly contradicted the common Jewish messianic expectations of a glorious, conquering king who would overthrow Roman rule and restore Israel's national sovereignty. Peter, taking Jesus aside, began to rebuke Him, trying to dissuade Him from this path (Mark 8:32). Peter's human reasoning, driven by his understanding of an earthly messianic kingdom, failed to grasp the divine necessity of the cross, setting the stage for Jesus' powerful reprimand in verse 33.

Mark 8 33 Word analysis

• But when he had turned around and looked at his disciples: Jesus' turn suggests He not only addressed Peter but also wanted His rebuke to be a lesson for all the disciples, as they too would face the temptation of rejecting the cross. This public setting emphasizes the gravity of the matter.
• he rebuked (ἐπιτιμάω - epitimáō): This Greek word implies a strong, authoritative, and even harsh censure. It's the same term Jesus uses when commanding demons to be silent (Mk 1:25), or when quieting the storm (Mk 4:39). Its use here highlights the satanic nature of the temptation Peter presented, not that Peter is Satan, but that he was acting as an agent for Satan's purpose, hindering God's redemptive plan.
• Peter: The same Peter who had just received divine revelation and confessed Jesus as the Christ (Mark 8:29) now acts from a purely human perspective. This demonstrates the constant spiritual battle and the human propensity to falter.
• saying, "Get behind Me (ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου - hypage opisō mou): This command carries a dual meaning. Firstly, it means "Go away from me," a dismissal, as Jesus tells Satan during the wilderness temptation (Mt 4:10). Secondly, it is the fundamental command for discipleship: "Follow Me" (literally, "come after me"). Peter had just presumed to lead or correct Jesus, standing in the way of His divine mission. Jesus re-establishes Peter's proper place as a follower, not a guide, putting Peter back in the position of one who must learn to follow, especially in the path of suffering.
• Satan! (Σατανᾶς - Satanás): The Hebrew word "Satan" (שָׂטָן - sāṭān) means "adversary" or "accuser." Jesus identifies the source of Peter's suggestion as Satan's design. Satan's primary goal is to frustrate God's plan for salvation, and the suffering and death of the Messiah were central to that plan. Peter’s well-intentioned but misguided intervention played directly into the adversary's hand.
• For you are not mindful (φρονέω - phronéō): This term denotes not just intellectual understanding, but setting one’s mind, attitude, and intention on something. It implies a deeper alignment of thought and purpose. Peter’s entire mindset was contrary to God’s plan.
• of the things of God (τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ - ta tou Theou): Refers to God’s divine will, purpose, and plan, especially the predetermined necessity of Christ’s suffering and resurrection for human salvation.
• but the things of men (τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων - ta tōn anthrōpōn): Refers to human desires, earthly wisdom, worldly ambitions, and expectations for an immediate, glorious, and worldly kingdom, rather than the spiritual suffering necessary for redemption. It's humanity's shortsightedness and natural aversion to suffering.

• "Get behind Me, Satan!": This phrase is profoundly impactful. It serves as both a stern rebuke to Peter for unknowingly speaking from a satanic perspective and a declaration of Jesus' unswerving commitment to the divine plan, despite human (or demonic) opposition. It distinguishes between Peter as a person and the demonic influence guiding his words at that moment. Jesus does not mean Peter is Satan, but that he is functioning as an instrument of Satan.
• "For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men": This explains why Peter's words are identified with Satan. Peter’s thoughts and desires were centered on human ideas of success and power, lacking insight into God’s true purpose of salvation through humble sacrifice. This sets a stark contrast between divine wisdom (suffering for salvation) and human wisdom (avoiding suffering for earthly gain/power).

Mark 8 33 Bonus section

The immediate juxtaposition of Peter's confession and his severe rebuke is highly significant. It demonstrates that even a divinely inspired insight (Mk 8:29) does not guarantee consistent spiritual understanding or immunity from temptation. Peter received spiritual truth from the Father, yet minutes later, his human wisdom led him astray. This serves as a vital reminder that ongoing reliance on God's Spirit is crucial for spiritual discernment, and disciples must always be ready to follow God’s will, even when it involves suffering or goes against their natural inclinations. This event also prefigures Peter’s later denial of Christ, revealing his struggle with fear and misunderstanding until the empowering of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Mark 8 33 Commentary

Mark 8:33 provides a pivotal insight into the nature of Christ's mission and the challenge of true discipleship. Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ was profound, yet his immediate failure to grasp the necessity of a suffering Messiah revealed a fundamental flaw in his understanding – and in the understanding of the disciples generally. Jesus’ sharp rebuke to Peter underscores the spiritual danger of prioritizing human comfort or worldly aspirations over God’s revealed will, especially concerning the cross. By labeling Peter's words "Satan," Jesus did not equate Peter with the devil but identified the source of the temptation: a well-intentioned, yet deeply misguided, attempt to divert Jesus from His path of redemptive suffering. This moment reveals that spiritual opposition can come not only from overt evil but also from those closest to us, unknowingly channeling a worldly agenda that is antithetical to God’s Kingdom purposes. It powerfully illustrates that divine wisdom often looks like foolishness to human eyes, and true discipleship requires a mind set on God's ways, embracing self-denial and the cross, rather than worldly glory or personal safety.

For instance, when Christians prioritize accumulating wealth or seeking worldly power over sacrificial service, or when they avoid uncomfortable truths in scripture for fear of social ostracization, they can unknowingly adopt "the things of men" instead of "the things of God," much like Peter did.