Matthew 16 23

Matthew 16:23 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.

Matthew 16:23 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."

Matthew 16:23 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."

Matthew 16:23 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."

Matthew 16:23 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."

Matthew 16 verses

Matthew 16 23 Meaning

Matthew 16:23 records Jesus' severe rebuke of Peter immediately after Peter attempted to dissuade Him from His predicted suffering and death. The verse reveals Jesus identifying Peter's human perspective, which was opposed to God's divine plan of redemption through sacrifice, as emanating from or serving the purposes of Satan. Peter, previously blessed for discerning Christ's identity, here became a "stumbling block," an obstacle, because his mindset prioritized human desires (a political, conquering Messiah) over God's ordained will for the suffering Messiah.

Matthew 16 23 Context

This verse immediately follows one of the pivotal moments in the Gospels: Peter's divinely revealed confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt 16:16). Jesus praises Peter and declares that upon this confession (the rock of truth) He will build His church. However, right after this revelation of Christ's identity, Jesus begins to speak clearly about His impending suffering, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem (Matt 16:21). Peter, likely holding traditional Jewish expectations of a conquering Messiah who would liberate Israel politically, cannot fathom this idea of a suffering king. He takes Jesus aside and presumptuously rebukes Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You" (Matt 16:22). Jesus' incredibly sharp response in verse 23 reveals the depth of the spiritual conflict and the opposition to God's redemptive plan that Peter's seemingly well-intentioned words represented. It highlights the stark contrast between divine revelation and human misjudgment, and the critical importance of embracing God's path, even when it involves suffering.

Matthew 16 23 Word analysis

• But He turned: The Greek verb for "turned" (στραφεὶς, straphais) suggests a deliberate, perhaps abrupt, movement. This emphasizes the swiftness and severity of Jesus' response to Peter's words. It signifies a significant shift in Jesus' posture and attitude towards Peter compared to the blessing in Matt 16:17.

• and said to Peter: Jesus directly addresses Peter, underscoring the personal nature of the rebuke, yet the true target is the influence acting through Peter.

• Get behind Me, Satan! (Ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ! - Hypage opisō mou, Satanā):

  • "Get behind Me": This is an authoritative command, a dismissal. It echoes military language for ordering someone out of the way or following, not leading. Crucially, it re-establishes Jesus' position of leadership and Peter's place as a disciple who follows, rather than an advisor who dictates the Messiah's path.
  • "Satan!": Σατανᾶ (Satanā) is a transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "adversary" or "accuser." Jesus is not declaring Peter himself to be Satan but is identifying the origin or nature of Peter's suggestion. Peter, at that moment, was unknowingly functioning as an adversary to God's divine plan, just as Satan tempts one to deviate from God's will. This sharp designation reveals the ultimate source of Peter's worldly wisdom and the seriousness of trying to divert Jesus from His path to the cross. It mirrors Jesus' rejection of Satan's temptations in the wilderness (Matt 4:10).

• You are a stumbling block to Me; (σκάνδαλον εἶ ἐμοῦ - skandalon ei emou):

  • "stumbling block": The Greek word σκάνδαλον (skandalon) originally referred to the bait-stick of a trap, or a snare. Later, it came to mean anything that causes one to trip or fall, an impediment, or a cause of moral offense or apostasy. Peter, despite his loyalty, was inadvertently attempting to obstruct God's salvific purpose, trying to make Jesus deviate from the path of suffering essential for redemption. He was tempting Jesus to choose an easier, worldly path to glory. This concept aligns with Old Testament passages where God is depicted as a "stumbling stone" to those who reject Him (Isa 8:14; Rom 9:33).

• for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but on man’s. (ὅτι οὐ φρονεῖς τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ ἀλλὰ τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων - hoti ou phroneis ta tou theou alla ta tōn anthrōpōn):

  • "not setting your mind": The Greek verb φρονέω (phroneō) implies more than mere intellectual understanding; it signifies one's mindset, priorities, affections, or frame of reference. Peter was not just verbally incorrect, but his entire thought process, his frame of mind, was aligned with human, worldly values rather than divine, spiritual ones.
  • "God’s interests" (τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ - ta tou theou): Refers to God's divine will, purpose, and priorities, which in this context specifically centered on the necessity of the Messiah's atoning suffering and death for humanity's salvation. This was the Father's plan, established before the foundation of the world.
  • "man’s" (τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων - ta tōn anthrōpōn): Refers to human desires, perspectives, and earthly ambitions. Peter's vision was confined to a powerful, triumphant Messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom, avoiding suffering. This earthly-minded perspective stood in direct opposition to the cross-centered plan of God. This highlights the ever-present temptation for believers to prioritize comfort, success, or human glory over God's difficult, yet perfect, will.

Matthew 16 23 Bonus section

• The rapid shift in Peter's portrayal (from "rock" to "stumbling block," from divinely inspired to satanically influenced) highlights the spiritual battle waged even within dedicated disciples. It demonstrates that faith is not a static state but a constant choosing between God's will and worldly temptation.
• Jesus' phrase "Get behind Me, Satan!" implies Peter needs to resume his proper role as a follower/disciple, walking behind Jesus, not attempting to lead or dictate His path.
• The incident underscores a crucial aspect of biblical theology: the necessity of the cross for salvation. Any deviation from this path, however well-intentioned, constitutes a rejection of God's redemptive strategy and aligns with the adversary's agenda.
• The immediate inclusion of Matt 16:24 ("If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me") solidifies the connection between Jesus' path and the expected path of His disciples. The same principle applies to Peter: denying one's own human ideas of success and embracing suffering for God's purposes.

Matthew 16 23 Commentary

Matthew 16:23 is a stark reminder that even those divinely illuminated can fall prey to human wisdom that opposes God's perfect plan. Peter, fresh from receiving commendation for confessing Christ, immediately becomes an unwitting mouthpiece for Satan's agenda—to divert Jesus from the cross. Jesus' rebuke, "Get behind Me, Satan!" is not an accusation that Peter is the devil, but rather a direct address to the spirit or mindset influencing Peter's words. It reveals the true adversary attempting to thwart divine redemption. Peter's human expectation of a glorious, politically conquering Messiah directly clashed with God's imperative of a suffering Servant, a concept foretold in prophecy (Isa 53) yet challenging to the human intellect. His desire to spare Jesus from suffering made him a "stumbling block," an impediment to the very purpose for which Jesus came. This verse powerfully differentiates between prioritizing God's interests (His will, His redemptive plan, often involving sacrifice) and human interests (comfort, worldly success, avoiding suffering). It serves as a perennial warning against allowing our human desires or conventional wisdom to obstruct or reinterpret God's clear, though often difficult, path.