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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he turned {G4762}, and said {G2036} unto Peter {G4074}, Get thee {G5217} behind {G3694} me {G3450}, Satan {G4567}: thou {G1488} art {G3754} an offence {G4625} unto me {G3450}: for thou savourest {G5426} not {G3756} the things {G3588} that be of God {G2316}, but {G235} those that be of men {G444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Yeshua turned his back on Kefa, saying, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because your thinking is from a human perspective, not from God's perspective!"

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

American Standard Version

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 16:23 records one of the most abrupt and severe rebukes Jesus delivers to Peter, immediately following Peter's profound confession of Jesus as the Christ. Jesus' sharp words, "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," highlight the stark opposition between divine will and human understanding, particularly concerning the necessity of Christ's suffering and death for the redemption of humanity. This pivotal moment underscores the constant spiritual battle against anything that would divert God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a critical section of Matthew's Gospel, forming a stark contrast to the preceding verses. Just moments before, in [Matthew 16:16](/matthew/16-16 "Peter's Confession of Christ"), Peter makes the monumental confession, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus responds by blessing Peter and declaring that He will build His church upon this foundational truth ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Jesus' Promise to Build His Church")). However, immediately after this high point, Jesus begins to reveal the uncomfortable truth of His impending suffering, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem ([Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection")). Peter, unable to reconcile the idea of a suffering Messiah with his prevailing expectation of a conquering king, takes Jesus aside and presumptuously rebukes Him, saying, "Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee" ([Matthew 16:22](/matthew/16-22 "Peter Rebukes Jesus")). It is this well-intentioned but profoundly misguided attempt to divert Jesus from His divine mission that elicits the Lord's severe response in verse 23.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judaism was deeply steeped in messianic expectation, largely influenced by Old Testament prophecies of a glorious, conquering king who would liberate Israel from foreign oppression and establish an earthly kingdom. Concepts of a suffering Messiah, though present in passages like [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), were not widely understood or accepted. The disciples, including Peter, shared this common cultural expectation, envisioning Jesus as the political liberator who would overthrow Roman rule. Peter's rebuke of Jesus in [Matthew 16:22](/matthew/16-22 "Peter's Misguided Rebuke") stemmed directly from this cultural lens, where suffering and death were seen as antithetical to messianic glory. Jesus' response challenges this deeply ingrained human and cultural understanding, asserting the divine necessity of the cross, which was a "stumbling block" to the Jews and "foolishness" to the Gentiles, as later articulated in [1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Christ Crucified, a Stumbling Block").
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 16:23 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **clash between divine will and human understanding**, emphasizing that God's ways are often contrary to human logic and desire for comfort or earthly glory. Peter's human perspective, focused on avoiding suffering, directly opposes God's sovereign plan for salvation through the cross. Secondly, the passage underscores the **absolute necessity of the cross** as the central and indispensable element of God's redemptive work. Any attempt to circumvent this path, even by a beloved disciple, is seen as an act of opposition to God's will. Thirdly, it reveals the reality of **spiritual warfare and temptation**, demonstrating that opposition to God's plan can come from unexpected sources, even through well-meaning individuals who unwittingly become instruments of the adversary. This echoes Satan's earlier attempts to tempt Jesus to avoid the cross in [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness"). Finally, this incident serves as a prelude to Jesus' teaching on the **nature of true discipleship**, which immediately follows in [Matthew 16:24-28](/matthew/16-24-28 "Jesus Teaches About True Discipleship"), emphasizing self-denial and a willingness to embrace suffering for Christ's sake.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Satan (Greek, _Satanâs'_):** This word (G4567) is of Chaldean origin, meaning "the accuser" or "adversary." While it is the proper name for the devil, Jesus uses it here not to equate Peter with the devil, but to identify the source and nature of the temptation Peter was presenting. Peter, by seeking to dissuade Jesus from the path of suffering, was unwittingly acting as an agent or instrument of the adversary, whose ultimate goal was to thwart God's redemptive plan through the cross.
* **offence (Greek, _skándalon'_):** This term (G4625) literally refers to a "trap-stick" or "snare," and figuratively means a "stumbling block" or "cause of displeasure/sin." Peter's words were not merely an annoyance; they constituted a serious obstacle, a temptation that could cause Jesus to deviate or "stumble" from the divinely appointed path of suffering and death necessary for salvation. It implies a moral snare or an impediment to righteousness.
* **savourest (Greek, _phronéō'_):** This verb (G5426) means "to exercise the mind," "to entertain or have a sentiment or opinion," or "to be (mentally) disposed." It implies a deep-seated mindset or a focus of one's affections and thoughts. Jesus' accusation means Peter's thoughts, desires, and understanding were aligned with human perspectives, comfort, and worldly glory, rather than with the divine, self-sacrificial plan of God. Peter's mind was set on human ways of thinking.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he turned, and said unto Peter":** This opening clause highlights the abruptness and directness of Jesus' response. The phrase "he turned" (G4762, _stréphō_) suggests a sharp pivot, indicating the severity of the situation and Jesus' immediate recognition of the spiritual danger. The direct address "unto Peter" emphasizes that this rebuke is personal, yet also indicative of Peter's pivotal role and the magnitude of his error despite his recent confession.
* **"Get thee behind me, Satan":** This is the core of the rebuke, echoing Jesus' earlier confrontation with the devil in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:10](/matthew/4-10 "Jesus Rebukes Satan in the Wilderness")). "Get thee behind me" (G5217, _hypágō_) is a command to withdraw or depart, signifying a forceful rejection of the temptation. By addressing Peter as "Satan," Jesus identifies the ultimate source of the suggestion – the adversary who seeks to undermine God's plan. It's not a condemnation of Peter's person, but of the spirit influencing his words at that moment.
* **"thou art an offence unto me":** This clause clarifies *why* Peter is being rebuked. Peter's well-intentioned intervention is a "stumbling block" (G4625, _skándalon_) to Jesus. His words present a temptation to avoid the suffering that is central to God's redemptive purpose. This reveals the spiritual danger of even well-meaning human counsel when it opposes God's revealed will.
* **"for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men":** This final clause provides the reason for Peter's error and the essence of the conflict. "Savourest" (G5426, _phronéō_) indicates Peter's mindset, his alignment of thought and desire. His mind is not set on "the things that be of God" (G2316, _theós_), which refers to God's divine plan, wisdom, and sovereign will, particularly concerning the cross. Instead, his mindset is aligned with "those that be of men" (G444, _ánthrōpos_), meaning human logic, earthly desires, and a worldly perspective that shies away from suffering and seeks glory without sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 16:23 is rich in literary devices that amplify its impact. The most striking is **Apostrophe**, where Jesus directly addresses Peter as "Satan." This is a rhetorical device where a speaker addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or a thing, but here it's used to address Peter in a way that identifies the source of the temptation, not Peter's personal identity. It functions as a powerful **Metaphor** or **Symbolism**, where Peter, in that moment, represents the adversarial force attempting to divert Jesus from His mission. This highlights the spiritual nature of the conflict. Furthermore, the verse employs stark **Antithesis** or **Contrast** in the phrase "the things that be of God, but those that be of men." This sharp juxtaposition emphasizes the fundamental difference between divine wisdom and human folly, divine purpose and human preference, and serves to underscore the profound spiritual truth Jesus is conveying. The abruptness of Jesus' "turned, and said" also functions as **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader knows the full scope of God's plan, while Peter does not, making his misguided intervention all the more poignant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 16:23 serves as a profound theological statement on the absolute necessity of the cross in God's redemptive plan and the constant spiritual battle against anything that would undermine it. It underscores that God's ways are often antithetical to human reasoning and comfort. Peter's well-intentioned but human-centered perspective becomes a "stumbling block" because it opposes the divine wisdom that ordained suffering as the path to glory. This passage reveals that genuine faith and discipleship require aligning one's mind with God's will, even when it involves hardship and self-denial, rather than succumbing to the temptation of an easier, human-preferred path. It also highlights the insidious nature of temptation, which can arise even from those closest to us, subtly attempting to derail divine purposes.

* [Mark 8:33](/mark/8-33 "Mark's Parallel Account of Jesus' Rebuke of Peter"): This parallel account in Mark's Gospel confirms the severity and immediacy of Jesus' rebuke to Peter, reinforcing the critical nature of the moment.
* [Romans 8:7](/romans/8-7 "Romans 8:7 - The Mind Set on the Flesh"): Paul's teaching that "the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" directly illuminates Peter's error in "savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober, Be Vigilant"): Peter himself later warns believers to "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour," showcasing his later understanding of the adversary he unwittingly served in Matthew 16:23.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 16:23 offers timeless lessons for every follower of Christ. It challenges us to constantly examine the source and nature of our thoughts, desires, and even our most well-intentioned advice. Are we truly aligning our minds with "the things that be of God," or are we inadvertently "savouring the things that be of men"—prioritizing comfort, worldly success, or human logic over God's often counter-intuitive and sacrificial path? This passage calls us to a radical submission to God's will, even when it involves hardship and self-denial, or challenges our preconceived notions of how God should work. It reminds us that the path of true discipleship often involves embracing the cross, dying to self, and trusting God's sovereign plan, even when it appears to lead through hardship. We must cultivate spiritual discernment to recognize and resist temptations, whether they come from overt evil or from the subtle, well-meaning but misguided counsel of those around us, ensuring our hearts and minds are always set on God's divine purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "savouring the things that be of men" rather than "the things that be of God"?**
* **How do I discern between well-intentioned human advice and counsel that might inadvertently become a "stumbling block" to God's will for my life?**
* **What "cross" is Jesus calling me to take up today, and how willing am I to embrace suffering or self-denial for His purposes?**
* **How does this passage deepen my understanding of the ongoing spiritual warfare and the subtle ways the adversary can work?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus call Peter "Satan" if Peter was a disciple?**

Answer: Jesus did not call Peter "Satan" to imply that Peter literally was the devil or that he was permanently possessed. Rather, Jesus was identifying the source and nature of the temptation Peter was presenting. The Greek word for "Satan" (G4567, _Satanâs_) means "adversary" or "opponent." In that moment, Peter, despite his good intentions, was acting as an adversary to God's divine plan for Jesus to suffer and die. Just as Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness to avoid the cross ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness")), Peter's words were a similar temptation, a "stumbling block" ([Matthew 16:23](/matthew/16-23 "Matthew 16:23 - Thou Art an Offence")) that sought to divert Jesus from His redemptive mission. Jesus was rebuking the spirit of opposition, not condemning Peter's person. This highlights how even well-meaning individuals can unwittingly become instruments of temptation when their thoughts align with human desires rather than God's will.

**What does it mean to "savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men"?**

Answer: To "savourest" (G5426, _phronéō_) means to set one's mind on, to be intent on, or to have a particular mindset or disposition. When Jesus says Peter "savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men," He is pointing out that Peter's thoughts, desires, and understanding were aligned with human perspectives, earthly comfort, and worldly glory, rather than with God's divine wisdom and sovereign plan. "The things that be of God" refer to God's will, His eternal purposes, and His divine wisdom, particularly concerning the necessity of Christ's suffering and death for salvation. "Those that be of men" refer to human logic, natural inclinations, and a worldview that seeks to avoid hardship or achieve glory without sacrifice. Peter's mindset was focused on a humanly conceived Messiah who would conquer politically, rather than a divinely appointed Messiah who would suffer and die to redeem humanity, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 16:23, though a severe rebuke to Peter, profoundly underscores the absolute centrality of Christ's suffering and death to God's redemptive plan, revealing the very heart of Christ's mission. Jesus' unwavering commitment to the cross, even in the face of temptation from His closest disciple, demonstrates His perfect obedience to the Father's will. This passage foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over Satan, not by avoiding the cross, but precisely by embracing it. The "offence" Peter presented was a temptation for Jesus to deviate from the path that would ultimately crush the head of the serpent ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium")) and disarm the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Evil")). By rejecting Peter's human counsel, Jesus affirmed that His kingdom would not be established through worldly power or avoidance of suffering, but through sacrificial love that conquers sin and death. His resolve here points directly to His ultimate triumph on the cross, where He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and through death, destroyed "him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Thus, this moment, though painful for Peter, highlights Christ's resolute fulfillment of God's redemptive purpose through the cross, securing salvation for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 8:5

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:8

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Philippians 3:19

Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

Colossians 3:2

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:15

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

Mark 8:33

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.