Why did Jesus say to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan”?

This statement by Jesus to Peter is recorded in Matthew 16:23. To understand why Jesus said this, we need to look at the context.

In Matthew 16, Jesus had asked his disciples who people were saying he was. They responded with various opinions – John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. But when Jesus asked them directly, “Who do you say I am?”, Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus commended Peter for this statement of faith, saying that this truth had been revealed to him by God.

Jesus then began to explain to his disciples that he would have to go to Jerusalem where he would suffer, be killed, and rise again. Peter, likely shocked by this, took Jesus aside and rebuked him, saying “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” (Matthew 16:22). Peter was expecting a Messiah who would overthrow Rome and set up an earthly kingdom. The idea that Jesus would suffer and die was unacceptable to him.

It was at this point that Jesus turned to Peter and said those stern words – “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).

By calling Peter “Satan”, Jesus was not implying that Peter was demon-possessed or was the embodiment of Satan himself. Rather, Jesus was saying that in that moment, Peter was speaking the same way Satan had spoken earlier when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Just as Satan had tried to deter Jesus from the cross, now Peter was unknowingly doing the same thing. Jesus was on a divine mission to die as an atoning sacrifice for sin, but Peter’s response showed he still did not grasp this.

Jesus said Peter was setting his mind on the “things of man” rather than the “things of God”. Peter wanted a political Messiah who would bring earthly comfort, success, and power. But Jesus as the Christ had come to bring spiritual redemption and eternal life by dying for sinners. At the time, Peter could not understand or accept the necessity of the cross.

By rebuking Peter so strongly, Jesus was making clear that nothing would deter him from his God-ordained mission. He came to do his Father’s will, which meant going to the cross. No temptation or threat, from Satan or anyone else, would keep him from accomplishing this saving work.

There are a few key lessons we can take away from this interaction:

• We must be careful to set our minds on God’s purposes and plans rather than demanding our own worldly agendas.
• Following Jesus means embracing the way of the cross, not chasing earthly comforts and status.
• Jesus was unwaveringly submitted to the Father and would not compromise God’s will for anything or anyone.
• Even close followers of Jesus can unknowingly become a hindrance when their perspective conflicts with God’s plans.

This was a stern warning from Jesus to Peter. He loved Peter and the other disciples, but he would not allow anything to interfere with his ultimate mission. All who follow Jesus must remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). We do not always understand His plans, but we must trust in His divine purposes. As Jesus rebuked Peter, he also graciously kept Peter as his disciple and continued to prepare him for future leadership and service.

1. The context leading up to Jesus’ statement

In Matthew 16, we see Jesus interacting with his disciples and asking them questions to gauge their understanding of his identity and mission. A few key events lead up to his harsh words to Peter:

• Jesus asked his disciples who people thought he was (Matthew 16:13-14). The disciples relayed that some people thought Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet.
• Jesus asked the disciples who they thought he was. Peter declared “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16).
• Jesus commended Peter for this statement of faith revealed to him by God (Matthew 16:17).
• Jesus began explaining that he would suffer, die and rise again in Jerusalem (Matthew 16:21).
• Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him, expressing unwillingness to accept Jesus’ suffering and death (Matthew 16:22).
• Jesus turned and rebuked Peter in return, saying “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23).

So the lead up to Jesus’ harsh words was Peter expressing faith that Jesus was the Messiah, followed by Peter’s subsequent unwillingness to accept the necessity of the cross. Peter still did not understand the full implications of Jesus’ identity and mission.

2. The meaning behind Jesus calling Peter “Satan”

By calling Peter “Satan”, Jesus was not implying that Peter was literally possessed by the devil. Rather, it was a metaphorical way of saying that Peter’s words were aligned with Satan’s purposes and contrary to God’s divine plan.

Some key points about Jesus calling Peter “Satan”:

• It recalled Satan’s temptation of Jesus earlier, trying to deter him from the cross (Matthew 4:8-10).
• Peter was acting as an adversary, like Satan, attempting to dissuade Jesus from God’s appointed mission.
• The words reflected Peter’s mindset at the time, which was focused on worldly concerns rather than God’s eternal plan.
• It was indicative of Jesus’ full commitment to do the Father’s will, even if it meant rebuking a close friend and disciple.

So by using the term “Satan”, Jesus was strongly rebuking the ungodly focus of Peter’s words and reinforcing his own determination to carry out his mission.

3. Why Peter’s perspective was wrong

When Peter rebuked Jesus and rejected the idea that he would have to suffer and die, Peter was acting from an earthly and human-centered mindset rather than God’s eternal perspective. Here are some reasons Peter was thinking wrongly:

• He still expected Jesus to be a political, worldly Messiah rather than a spiritual Savior.
• He was rejecting the divine necessity of Jesus’ death to atone for sins.
• Peter wanted Jesus to have earthly success, comfort and avoiding suffering.
• Peter did not grasp that Jesus had to fully obey the Father’s will and Scripture.
• He failed to see that Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36).

Peter was looking at Jesus’ mission through a flawed, earthly lens. His rebuke of Jesus aligned with Satan’s temptation earlier to give Jesus the kingdoms of the world without the cross (Matthew 4:8-9). Though well-meaning, Peter’s perspective was ignorant of God’s full redemptive plan.

4. The importance of accepting God’s will over our own

One lesson we can take from this passage is learning to accept God’s will even when it clashes with our own preferences or desires. Here are some key points:

• Our minds should be set on heavenly, eternal truths rather than earthly comforts.
• Following God often requires embracing hardship and rejecting worldly values.
• We must trust God’s plans even when we don’t fully understand them.
• Our will should align with God’s purposes rather than demanding our own way.
• Redemption requires sacrifice; we must accept the cost of following Jesus.

Jesus’ rebuke reminded Peter that his role was to support and submit to God’s plans. No matter how reasonable our perspectives may seem, we must evaluate them against God’s revealed will in Scripture.

5. How this shows Jesus’ commitment to his mission

Jesus’ strong rebuke of Peter highlights his unwavering commitment to follow the Father’s will, even when it was extremely difficult. Note the following:

• Jesus would let nothing deter him from accomplishing his mission of redemption.
• Not even a close friend and disciple could dissuade him from the cross.
• He would not compromise or abdicate from God’s purposes.
• Jesus was willing to confront even a beloved ally if it obstruction his divinely ordained task.
• He was fully submitted to God’s timing and providential plan.

Despite the difficulty of the road ahead, Jesus was determined to see his mission to the cross through to completion. His resolute submission is a model for all followers of Christ to emulate.

6. How Jesus kept Peter as a disciple despite the rebuke

It is significant that even after his harsh rebuke, Jesus did not reject Peter or remove him from being a disciple. Peter’s perspective was wrong, but Jesus knew Peter’s defects and continued to equip him for future service. We see Jesus’ further training of Peter in several ways:

• Peter went on to be part of the inner circle of disciples (Matthew 17:1).
• He was among those Jesus gave additional teaching on end times (Matthew 24:3).
• At the Last Supper, Jesus told Peter he had prayed for him (Luke 22:31-32).
• After his resurrection, Jesus reconciled with Peter and recommissioned him (John 21:15-19).

Jesus did not go easy on Peter when correction was needed. But he also did not reject him or stop investing in Peter’s growth. Though harsh at times, Jesus’ discipleship balanced grace and truth. Peter grew into the leader Jesus knew he could become by following Christ faithfully.

7. Lessons for disciples today

Here are some key lessons modern disciples can take from Jesus’ rebuke of Peter:

• Evaluate perspectives against God’s Word rather than human logic alone.
• Embrace hardship as part of God’s refining process.
• Submit personal agendas to God’s greater plans.
• Trust God’s providence even when it is difficult and confusing.
• Christ-like leaders confront error but also extend grace.
• The path of following Jesus leads through the cross before the crown.

As disciples today, we must remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Faithfulness to Jesus requires denying self, taking up our cross, and following him (Matthew 16:24-25). His rebuke of Peter reminds us to examine our mindsets and align our thinking with Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

8. How this passage points forward to Christ’s victory

While Peter failed to initially accept the cross, Jesus’ rebuke of Peter was an important step in bringing about eventual victory. Here are some ways this passage points forward:

• It reinforced that Jesus would complete his mission regardless of opposition.
• Jesus’ unwavering commitment led to salvation for all who believe in him.
• Peter’s later preaching helped spread the gospel after receiving the Spirit (Acts 2).
• The disciples grew into apostles who turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6).
• Satan sought to deter Jesus, but was ultimately defeated by the cross.

Despite needing correction, Peter went on to preach a crucified and resurrected Savior with boldness after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The rebuke was part of Peter’s journey to becoming rock-solid in his faith and calling. Most importantly, Jesus’ unswerving obedience led to redemption for sinners through his victorious sacrifice on our behalf.

9. Summary of key points

In summary, here are key points to understand about Jesus rebuking Peter:

• Peter had professed Jesus as Messiah but then rejected the necessity of the cross.
• Jesus called Peter “Satan” metaphorically since Peter’s mindset aligned with Satan’s purposes.
• Peter was thinking from an earthly perspective rather than God’s eternal plan.
• Disciples must submit personal wills to God’s will even when difficult.
• The rebuke displayed Jesus’ unwavering commitment to complete his mission.
• Jesus did not reject Peter but continued to invest in him as a disciple.
• The rebuke was part of shaping Peter into the leader he became.
• It reinforced that nothing would deter Jesus from the cross, leading to victory.

Jesus’ stern warning reminded Peter that his mindset was opposed to God’s purposes. Disciples today must likewise ensure their priorities align with Scripture rather than earthly values. Peter’s journey is an encouragement that even after mistakes, Jesus remains gracious in refining us into faithful servants useful for Kingdom work.