Breakdown of Matthew 16:23

"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.”" — Jesus’ sharp words to Peter reveal a profound truth: even well-intentioned human affection can become a dangerous "stumbling-block" when it distracts from God's divine plan. Peter's desire to protect…

Matthew 16:23 Meaning Explained

All verses

Matthew 16:23

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.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus’ sharp words to Peter reveal a profound truth: even well-intentioned human affection can become a dangerous "stumbling-block" when it distracts from God's divine plan. Peter's desire to protect Jesus, though loving, was rooted in a "mind of man" that couldn't grasp the necessity of the cross for salvation.

What Matthew 16:23 means

Just moments after Peter’s bold confession of Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus begins to reveal the costly path ahead: suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter, horrified at the thought of his Master facing such a fate, pulls Jesus aside to rebuke Him, appealing to human reasoning and a desire for Jesus' well-being. Jesus, turning to Peter with an intensity that surprises even His closest followers, calls this very human concern "Satanic" because it sets aside God's divine plan for worldly wisdom.

The 'Satan' Rebuke: Not Personal, but Functional

Jesus calls Peter 'Satan' in this intense moment. Was this a personal attack, or something else entirely?

This moment is incredibly sharp! Jesus turns and says, “Get behind me, Satan!” to Peter. It sounds harsh, right? But it's crucial to understand that Jesus isn't calling Peter the devil himself. The word 'Satan' literally means 'adversary' or 'opposer.'

An Adversary to God's Plan: Peter, out of love and concern, was trying to prevent Jesus from going to the cross. His words, though seemingly kind, directly opposed God's plan for salvation. He was acting as an adversary to Jesus' mission.
A Functional Role: Jesus uses the same language he used when tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:10). It's not about Peter's identity, but about the role his suggestion was playing – hindering God's redemptive purpose. Jesus is essentially saying, 'Your words and intentions are getting in the way of what God needs me to do.'

The Heart of the Conflict: God's Ways vs. Human Ways

Why did Peter’s well-meaning advice cause such a strong reaction from Jesus?

The core of Jesus' rebuke lies in the clash between divine and human perspectives.

The Divine Perspective:

The Necessity of the Cross: Jesus understands that suffering and death are not detours, but the very path to fulfilling His mission of salvation. The cross is central to God's plan.
The Cross as Glory: While Peter sees the cross as shame and defeat, Jesus knows it's the ultimate display of God's love and power, leading to resurrection.

The Human Perspective:

Understand the original words

Original language

SatanΣατανᾶς

Satanas · Greek Noun

An adversary or accuser; biblically, it refers to the devil or anyone who acts as an obstacle to God’s redemptive purpose, effectively serving the interests of darkness rather than God.

hindranceσκάνδαλον

skandalon · Greek Noun

A stumbling block or a trap; something that causes one to trip, fall into sin, or turn away from the path of obedience to God.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 70-90 AD.
Author: Matthew the Apostle, traditionally understood as the author, though some scholars suggest alternative sources.
Location: Likely written in Galilee or Judea, with a potential audience in Antioch.
Genre: Gospel (narrative with teachings); features direct dialogue and parables.

Historical background

Peter's sharp rebuke to Jesus, though motivated by love and a desire for Jesus' well-being, reveals a deep misunderstanding of God's plan. Jesus' strong response highlights the radical difference between human thinking and God's divine perspective, especially regarding suffering and redemption.

c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and surrounding regions, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples, culminating in a strong public following and growing opposition from religious leaders.
c. AD 28
Jesus predicts his suffering
Jesus explicitly tells his disciples for the first time that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things, be rejected, killed, and then raised on the third day.
c. AD 28
Peter's Rebuke and Jesus' Response
Peter, horrified by Jesus' prediction of suffering and death, rebukes Jesus, prompting Jesus' sharp response, "Get behind me, Satan!"
c. AD 28
Jesus teaches about discipleship and the cross
Following Peter's rebuke, Jesus generalizes his teaching, explaining that all who follow him must deny themselves, take up their cross, and be willing to lose their lives for his sake.

Key themes

01Divine will vs. human thoughts
02The cost of discipleship
03Satanic temptation through people
04Spiritual discernment needed

Cross-references

1 Peter 2:8

This passage echoes Peter's role as a 'stumbling block' by describing Christ as both the 'stone of stumbling' and 'rock of offense' for those who disobey the word, highlighting the danger of rejecting God's intended path.

Romans 8:5

This verse directly contrasts the 'mind set on the flesh' with the 'mind set on the Spirit,' directly paralleling Jesus' accusation that Peter was 'not setting his mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'

Matthew 4:10

Jesus uses the exact same phrase, 'Get behind me, Satan!' when repelling the devil's temptations in the wilderness, underscoring how Peter's suggestion, though well-intentioned, was a dangerous temptation against God's plan.

1 Corinthians 1:23

This passage describes Christ crucified as a 'stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,' directly reflecting Jesus' frustration with Peter's inability to grasp the cross as essential to God's plan, rather than a mere human setback.

Luke 9:23

Immediately following Jesus' rebuke of Peter, this verse calls all disciples to 'deny themselves and take up their cross daily,' reinforcing the core message that following Christ requires embracing suffering, not avoiding it.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 16:20-28: "Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ."

Then he charged his disciples [451] not to tell any one that he was Jesus the Christ. 21. From that time Jesus began to make known to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and be raised again on the third day. 22. And Peter, taking him aside, [452] began to rebuke him, saying, Lord, s…

calvin

Matthew 16:23: "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."

Get thee behind me, Satan - The word "Satan" literally means "an adversary," or one who opposes us in the accomplishment of our designs. It is applied to the devil commonly, as the opposer or adversary of man; but there is no evidence that the Lord Jesus meant to apply this term to Peter, as signifying that he wa…
barnes

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What does Matthew 16:23 mean?

Explain the meaning of Matthew 16:23

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What Matthew 16:23 means

Original language

SatanΣατανᾶς

Satanas · Greek Noun

An adversary or accuser; biblically, it refers to the devil or anyone who acts as an obstacle to God’s redemptive purpose, effectively serving the interests of darkness rather than God.

hindranceσκάνδαλον

skandalon · Greek Noun

A stumbling block or a trap; something that causes one to trip, fall into sin, or turn away from the path of obedience to God.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 70-90 AD.
Author: Matthew the Apostle, traditionally understood as the author, though some scholars suggest alternative sources.
Location: Likely written in Galilee or Judea, with a potential audience in Antioch.
Genre: Gospel (narrative with teachings); features direct dialogue and parables.

Historical background

c. AD 27-30— this verse

Jesus' Public Ministry

Jesus travels throughout Galilee and surrounding regions, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples, culminating in a strong public following and growing opposition from religious leaders.

c. AD 28

Jesus predicts his suffering

Jesus explicitly tells his disciples for the first time that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things, be rejected, killed, and then raised on the third day.

c. AD 28

Peter's Rebuke and Jesus' Response

Peter, horrified by Jesus' prediction of suffering and death, rebukes Jesus, prompting Jesus' sharp response, "Get behind me, Satan!"

c. AD 28

Jesus teaches about discipleship and the cross

Following Peter's rebuke, Jesus generalizes his teaching, explaining that all who follow him must deny themselves, take up their cross, and be willing to lose their lives for his sake.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 16:20-28: "Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ."

Then he charged his disciples [451] not to tell any one that he was Jesus the Christ. 21. From that time Jesus began to make known to his disciples, that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and be raised again on the third day. 22. And Peter, taking him aside, [452] began to rebuke him, saying, Lord, s…

calvin

Matthew 16:23: "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."

Get thee behind me, Satan - The word "Satan" literally means "an adversary," or one who opposes us in the accomplishment of our designs. It is applied to the devil commonly, as the opposer or adversary of man; but there is no evidence that the Lord Jesus meant to apply this term to Peter, as signifying that he wa…
barnes

Frequently asked questions

What does Matthew 16:23 mean?

Explain the meaning of Matthew 16:23

What is the context of Matthew 16:23?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "Satan" mean in the original Greek?”
“Why did Matthew the Apostle, traditionally understood as the author, though some scholars suggest alternative sources. write Matthew 16:23?”
“How does divine will vs. human thoughts show up in Matthew 16:23?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Matthew 16:23 is available in the Sola app.