Mark 8:32b-33 32And after taking him aside, Peter began to rebuke him. 33But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan, for you are not thinking the things of God but the things of humanity.”
Jesus’ declaration of his impending suffering and death after the high point of Peter’s confession must have been a shock to the disciples, as suggested by Peter’s strong response. Rebuke (epitiman) means a strong disapproval, correction, or reproof. The participle taking to the side gives the picture that Peter wanted this to be a private conversation. Jesus’ response was to expose Peter to the whole group of disciples. Jesus obviously wanted all the disciples to hear what he had to say, especially the last part of verse 33. The disciples’ fundamental problem was that they were thinking from an earthly perspective. They saw things from their own vantage point and had not caught on to the kingdom view.
Peter took the position of one in authority and intended to instruct and correct Jesus. What he did is one of the primary dangers of disciples: assuming the position of the Master. A disciple must always follow the Master in humility and obedience. The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus. They had hopes of a glorious kingdom, as indicated later by how the brothers James and John wanted the places of honor in this kingdom (10:35-37). Jesus had turned their world up-side down. It would take Jesus’ resurrection for the disciples to begin to understand the significance of what Jesus had taught them. To confess Jesus as Messiah requires that one also accept what the Messiah came to do. We do the same thing as Peter and put ourselves in charge when we define Christ the way we want, in a way that fits our agenda.
Jesus turned around and before the whole group rebuked Peter back. After the high point of Peter’s confession, Jesus called him “Satan.” At first, one may wonder how Jesus could belittle one of his disciples, especially Peter who had risen to leadership. Peter was basically acting like Satan and getting in Jesus’ way. Peter puts into words the temptations Jesus faced with Satan: a choice between life taking the easy way or death in obedience to the Father’s plan, and a choice being the political messiah of power or being the Savior who would redeem the world through his suffering. Peter was tempting Jesus like the devil in the desert. Sometimes the devil speaks temptation through well-meaning people who only want our best but see things from an earthly perspective. Those who love us most can sometimes cause us the most difficulty. The voice of love cannot replace the voice of God.
Peter thought he saw Jesus clearly but really was like the blind man of 8:22-26 who could not see. Jesus urged Peter to Get behind me. The prepositional phrase behind me (opisō mou) in verse 33 is the same as in the phrase follow after me of verse 34. Peter needed to follow after Jesus and not get in front of him. Disciples follow their Lord and his leading. This command is the same invitation Jesus gave to Peter in 1:17. Peter needed to resume his proper position of following Jesus. One of Satan’s primary temptations to disciples is to get in front of Jesus and assume our thinking is correct. Seeing discipleship from an earthly perspective puts us in bad company.
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