New Testament

Matthew 16:23

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Jesus rebukes Peter sharply after Peter tries to prevent Him from talking about His impending suffering and death.

Author
Matthew the apostle
Written
Around AD 60-70
Genre
Gospel
Original Audience
Jewish Christians
CBTClear Bible Translation

But Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me. You're not thinking about things the way God does — you're thinking like a human being."

KJVKing James Version

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.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jesus rebukes Peter sharply after Peter tries to prevent Him from talking about His impending suffering and death. By calling Peter 'Satan,' Jesus highlights that Peter's thoughts are contrary to God's plan. Instead of understanding the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice, Peter is focused on human concerns and desires. This moment illustrates the struggle between divine purpose and human understanding. Jesus emphasizes that true followers must align their thoughts with God's will, even when it contradicts their own desires. The term 'stumbling block' indicates that Peter's perspective could hinder Jesus' mission. This exchange serves as a reminder that our human instincts can sometimes lead us away from God's intentions, and we must strive to see things from a divine perspective.

How to apply Matthew 16:23 to your life

This verse encourages us to examine our own thoughts and motivations. Are we aligning our desires with God's will, or are we allowing human reasoning to cloud our judgment? We should seek to understand God's plans, even when they challenge our comfort or expectations, and support His purposes in our lives.

Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Matthew 16:23 mean?

In Matthew 16:23, Jesus rebukes Peter for trying to prevent Him from discussing His suffering and death. By calling Peter 'Satan,' Jesus indicates that Peter's thoughts are opposing God's plan, highlighting the conflict between human understanding and divine purpose.

What is the meaning of 'stumbling block' in Matthew 16:23?

The term 'stumbling block' in Matthew 16:23 refers to something that hinders or obstructs progress. Jesus uses it to describe how Peter's perspective could interfere with His mission, emphasizing the need to align thoughts with God's will.

Why does Jesus call Peter 'Satan' in Matthew 16:23?

Jesus calls Peter 'Satan' to emphasize that Peter's attempt to dissuade Him from His mission is contrary to God's purpose. This strong rebuke highlights the seriousness of aligning one's thoughts with God's will.

How can we apply Matthew 16:23 to our lives?

We can apply Matthew 16:23 by examining our own motivations and ensuring they align with God's will. It encourages us to seek understanding of God's plans, even when they challenge our personal desires or comfort.

The Book of Matthew
Book Summary

The Book of Matthew

Matthew 1: The Generation and Birth of Jesus Christ

The book begins with the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. It records the generations from Abraham to David, from David until the carrying away into Babylon, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ, each being fourteen generations. The genealogy concludes with Jacob begetting Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

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