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.

MATTHEW 16:23KJV
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Matthew 16:23 (KJV)

What does Matthew 16:23 mean?

Matthew 16:23 describes Jesus sharply rebuking Peter, calling him "Satan" and telling him to get behind Him because Peter is thinking in a human way, not according to God's purposes. Jesus says Peter is an "offence" to Him, meaning Peter is acting as a stumbling block by opposing God's plan.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to Peter after Peter tried to stop Him from talking about His coming suffering and death. Jesus uses strong language to show that Peter's well-meaning but misguided words are actually working against God's will. The verse highlights the difference between human thinking, which often avoids suffering, and God's greater plan, which sometimes requires it.

The Greek behind Matthew 16:23

  • "Σατανᾶ" (Satanas, "Satan"): Here, Jesus is not saying Peter is literally Satan, but is identifying Peter's words as opposing God's plan, much like the adversary (Satan) would.
  • "σκάνδαλον" (skandalon, "offence"): This word means a stumbling block or something that causes someone to trip. Jesus is saying Peter's attitude could cause Him or others to stumble from God's path.
  • "φρονεῖς" (phroneis, "savourest"): This Greek verb means to set one's mind on or to think about. Jesus is pointing out that Peter's mindset is focused on human concerns, not on what God wants.

Why Matthew 16:23 matters

  • Matthew 16:23 clears up that even well-intentioned advice can be spiritually harmful if it goes against God's purposes, as seen in Peter's attempt to protect Jesus.
  • The verse emphasizes the sharp difference between human priorities (comfort, safety) and God's priorities (fulfilling His plan, even through suffering).
  • This moment connects to the wider passage where Jesus begins to explain His mission and the cost of discipleship, showing that following Him means aligning with God's will, not just human expectations.

Where else these words appear

“offence” Greek G4625 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
  • Romans 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
  • Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

“turned” Greek G4762 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
  • Luke 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
  • John 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

“savourest” Greek G5426 · used in 21 verses

  • Mark 8:33 But 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.
  • Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
  • Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

“Satan” Greek G4567 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 4:10 Then 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.
  • Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.