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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπιστραφεὶς
when he had turned about
G1994
ἐπιστραφεὶς
when he had turned about
Strong's:
G1994
Word #:
3 of 26
to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδὼν
looked
G1492
ἰδὼν
looked
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
5 of 26
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐπετίμησεν
he rebuked
G2008
ἐπετίμησεν
he rebuked
Strong's:
G2008
Word #:
9 of 26
to tax upon, i.e., censure or admonish; by implication, forbid
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρῳ
Peter
G4074
Πέτρῳ
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
11 of 26
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
12 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ὕπαγε
Get thee
G5217
Ὕπαγε
Get thee
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
13 of 26
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
ὀπίσω
behind
G3694
ὀπίσω
behind
Strong's:
G3694
Word #:
14 of 26
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
17 of 26
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
φρονεῖς
thou savourest
G5426
φρονεῖς
thou savourest
Strong's:
G5426
Word #:
19 of 26
to exercise the mind, i.e., entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain d
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
the things that be of God
G2316
θεοῦ
the things that be of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
22 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
23 of 26
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 4:10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.1 John 2:15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.Philippians 3:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)Revelation 3:19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.Psalms 141:5Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
Historical Context
The concept of a suffering Messiah was so foreign to Jewish thought that even post-resurrection, Jesus had to explain how 'the Christ should suffer these things' (Luke 24:26, 46). Peter's rebuke represents not individual failure but the universal human rejection of God's wisdom—we naturally gravitate toward glory without suffering, victory without cross, resurrection without death.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of life do you 'savor the things of men' (comfort, success, approval) rather than God's values (sacrifice, service, cross-bearing)?
- How might your prayers or plans oppose God's purposes by seeking blessing without suffering or glory without humility?
- What does it mean practically to 'get behind Jesus'—following His path rather than prescribing your own?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men—Jesus's rebuke is the most severe in the Gospels: Hupage opisō mou, Satana (Ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ, 'Go behind me, Satan'). The same phrase appears during wilderness temptation (Matthew 4:10), linking Peter's resistance to satanic opposition. Jesus doesn't call Peter 'Satan' ontologically but functionally—at this moment, Peter serves Satan's agenda by opposing God's redemptive plan.
The diagnosis is precise: ou phroneis ta tou theou alla ta tōn anthrōpōn (οὐ φρονεῖς τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ ἀλλὰ τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, 'you do not think the things of God but the things of men'). The verb phroneis (φρονεῖς) means 'to think, to have understanding, to set one's mind on.' Peter's mind is earthly-oriented (human glory, political victory, self-preservation) rather than God-oriented (redemptive suffering, sacrificial love, cross-bearing). This rebuke occurs immediately after Jesus turned to see His disciples (verse 33a)—He addresses Peter's error publicly because all the disciples share this blindness. Just as the blind man needed Christ's second touch for clarity (verses 24-25), Peter needs correction to progress from partial to complete understanding of messiahship.