21 “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “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 16:21–23 ESV)
Following Peter’s confession and Jesus’ commission to not only Peter but also the other disciples, the Lord from that time on began to personally, actively and infinitely show them what awaited Him. He made known to the disciples three primary truths.
First, Jesus made known to the disciples that He must go to Jerusalem. Second, the reason Jesus had to go to Jerusalem was to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests and scribes. Third, Jesus told His disciples that He would be killed. Finally, Jesus told His disciples He would rise from the dead.
As he often did, Peter took the initiative in responding to Jesus’ comments. To begin with, Peter took Jesus aside to have a private conversation. Then, Peter rebuked Jesus several times. To rebuke (ἐπιτιμάω; epitamo) means to reprove, scold and reprimand. The apostle, knowing full well who Jesus is, rebukes God. If Peter‘s confession of Jesus as the Christ was him at his best, this scene is the apostle at his worst.
Peter was literally saying ‘May God be merciful to you in sparing you from having to undergo this experience’—‘God forbid it, may it not happen.’
“For Peter, the very idea of messiahship, which he had just now ascribed to Jesus, excluded that of suffering and death, violent death at that,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
Jesus’ reaction was swift and sure. There was no ambiguity in the Lord’s meaning. He turned to face Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan!” In effect Jesus was commanding Peter to depart from Him. Why? It was because what Peter intimated, however sincere, was of the Devil. It was a satanic idea that would hinder Jesus’ purpose for coming to this world (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 2:8-11, 22-32; Phil. 2:5-11).
Jesus added, “You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
“Jesus immediately recognizes the trap Satan is setting. Not for a moment does He entertain the devil’s suggestion. From God’s point of view it was necessary for the Savior to suffer, die, rise again, etc. in order to save His people,” states Dr. Hendriksen. “From the human point of view the two concepts Messiah and suffering were wholly incompatible. Peter, allowing himself to be influenced by Satan, was speaking from the foolishly human point of view. He did not realize that he was asking for his own eternal damnation”
What of people today? There are those who think that Jesus was a good moral teacher, a prophet or a non-violent revolutionary who did not die the cross, let alone resurrected from the dead. They admire His teachings they like. However, they reject the truth He spoke concerning His death and resurrection and its implications of the sinner’s need for a substitutionary atonement from the penalty, power and eventual presence of sin.
Peter would later write, “4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.” (1 Peter 2:4–8 ESV)
What was a rock of offense for Peter would later become a precious cornerstone. What about you?
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 