Matthew 16:23 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus rebukes Peter sharply, naming his words a temptation that thinks as men, not God.
What Does Matthew 16:23 Mean?
Jesus turns and answers with startling force: 'Get thee behind me, Satan.' He is not calling Peter the devil but recognizing the same temptation he faced in the wilderness, the lure to claim glory without the cross. Peter has become a 'stumbling block,' his mind set on human hopes rather than God's purpose.
The sharpness measures the stakes. To turn Jesus from the cross would be to undo salvation itself. The line between confessing Christ and obstructing him can be thin, crossed whenever we prize our own ideas of comfort over God's revealed will. Jesus calls Peter back to his place, behind his Master, following. To think 'the things that be of God' is to accept that the way up often leads first through the valley.
Matthew 16:23 in the Original Language
skandalon (σκάνδαλον), 'offence' -- a snare or stumbling block, something set in the path that causes one to trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 16:23
What does Matthew 16:23 mean?
Jesus rebukes Peter sharply, naming his words a temptation that thinks as men, not God.