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.
Original Language Analysis
τῶν
the things
G3588
τῶν
the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στραφεὶς
he turned
G4762
στραφεὶς
he turned
Strong's:
G4762
Word #:
3 of 23
to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)
τῶν
the things
G3588
τῶν
the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρῳ
unto Peter
G4074
Πέτρῳ
unto Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
6 of 23
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
Ὕπαγε
Get thee
G5217
Ὕπαγε
Get thee
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
7 of 23
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 #:
8 of 23
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
σκάνδαλον
an offence
G4625
σκάνδαλον
an offence
Strong's:
G4625
Word #:
11 of 23
a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e., snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin)
ὅτι
art
G3754
ὅτι
art
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
φρονεῖς
for thou savourest
G5426
φρονεῖς
for thou savourest
Strong's:
G5426
Word #:
16 of 23
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
τῶν
the things
G3588
τῶν
the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
the things
G3588
τῶν
the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
that be of God
G2316
θεοῦ
that be of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
19 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τῶν
the things
G3588
τῶν
the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Colossians 3:2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.Philippians 3:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)Mark 8:33But 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.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.John 6:70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?Romans 14:13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.1 Chronicles 21:1And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.Genesis 3:17And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;Luke 4:8And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.2 Samuel 19:22And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?
Historical Context
Peter's reaction reflected contemporary Jewish messianic expectations focused on political triumph, not sacrificial death. Jesus' rebuke echoes His wilderness temptation where Satan offered power without suffering (Matthew 4:8-10). The designation 'Satan' doesn't mean Peter was possessed but that he functioned as the adversary at this moment, opposing God's redemptive plan.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you resisted God's plan because it involved suffering?
- How can good intentions become satanic temptations?
- What distinguishes divine wisdom from human religious thinking?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' rebuke 'Get thee behind me, Satan' reveals how Peter's well-meaning resistance to the cross served Satan's purposes. Peter's confession in verse 16 came by divine revelation; his rebuke here comes from human reasoning. Reformed theology recognizes that even believers can speak for the adversary when resisting God's will. The phrase 'thou art an offence unto me' (Greek 'skandalon'—stumbling block) shows Peter's words tempted Jesus away from the cross. 'Thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men' distinguishes divine and human wisdom.