Matthew 16:21-23 “Get behind Me, Satan!”

“You are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of man.”  Jesus to Peter, Matthew 16:23

Peter stumbled along the way but finished his earthly life strong and faithful to the Lord.  (Caravaggio's "The Martyrdom of St. Peter" 1601)

“Religious ‘flesh’ always wants to work for God (rather than humbling itself to realize God must work for it in free grace).  That is why our very lives hang on not working for God. Then shall we not serve Christ?  It is commanded, ‘Serve the Lord!’ (Romans 12:11)  Yes, we must serve Him.  But we will beware of serving in a way that implies a deficiency on His part or exalts our indispensability.”   (John Piper, Desiring God, p. 146) 

A corner has been turned.  A milestone along the road has been reached.  The teaching climax of Matthew’s gospel has been ascended.  From that time (v. 21), when Peter confessed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” (v. 16), the direction of Matthew’s gospel changed.  Jesus now turned his eyes to the south.   Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes.  He must be killed, and on the third day be raised (v. 21).

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him saying, “Far be it from you, Lord!  This shall never happen to you,” (v. 22).   From our vantage point some 2000 years later, it is easy to look back on Peter and indict him for his arrogance and short-sightedness.   It is easy for us to say, “Rebuking Jesus? C’mon, Peter!”  However as we view things from Peter’s perspective, as well as first-century Israel’s, it is easier to be sympathetic.  They understood the idea of a conquering Messiah who would “restore the kingdom to Israel” (Acts 1:6; see also Luke 24:21).  But they failed to grasp, at that time, the suffering Messiah as predicted in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53.

Also, as men our pride is easily puffed up.  We tend to rate ourselves based on our achievements, both positively and negatively.   Peter had just received a superlative blessing from the Lord himself.  Unguarded, some of that went to Peter’s head and he began to see his role as leader of the Twelve in a way that went against the will of God.   The Christ, the Son of the living God was not going to suffer and be killed!   Not if Peter had a say!   

But what came next from the mouth of Jesus had to be quite a shock to Peter and all those who heard:  “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,” (v. 23).    Moments before Jesus had praised Peter, called him a rock and said his words were inspired by the Father (see vv. 17-18).   Now Jesus reverses those three compliments. He rebukes Peters, calls him a stumbling block (NASB; the ESV translates “hindrance”) and says his words were inspired by Satan.     The color may have drained from Peter’s face and his jaw probably dropped.

Also Peter was selective in his hearing.  He heard only the words about Jesus suffering and dying, not about his rising on the third day.   Just as the suffering Messiah was an alien idea, so was the concept of an individual resurrection (even though a broad resurrection at judgment was something they grasped.  See John 11:24). 

Peter unknowingly and unintentionally made himself an obstacle to the will of God.  Jesus’ decision to go to Jerusalem was not open to debate or dependent on circumstances.  Jesus’ crucifixion was neither sadistic punishment nor the result of things spiraling out of God’s control.  On the contrary, it was God’s will that Christ suffered, died and rose (see 26:42); Jesus willingly laid down his life (see John 10:18).   Peter was being played by Satan who once again desired to thwart the will of God, just as he had tried in the wilderness in chapter 4.   

The LORD declares, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” (Isaiah 55:8).  Finite man will never fully grasp infinite God.   Things happen to us (sicknesses, hurts, hardships) that seem contrary to the will of a loving God.  But in reality those things happen “for good,” “for those who love God.” (Romans 8:28)

I think of the times in my life when what I thought was God’s will actually fell a few votes short or when I was passed over for a job I knew I could do well.  In the moment I thought like Peter, “How can this be?”  But as the years have unrolled, I see how the goodness of God was at work in my life, leading and directing me.   


Additionally, none of us are indispensible.   Even in the highest levels of service (a term which itself is a contradiction), there must be humility and an understanding that some things will remain a mystery until the Lord chooses to make them clear.  Until then may we walk humbly with our God, resting in his sovereignty and wisdom.