16:21-23 Why did Jesus refer to Peter as Satan here?

Here Jesus had just begun to tell the disciples how He must shortly suffer and die. Peter could not understand how Jesus could be Messiah and yet have to suffer at the hands of the religious leaders and then be put to death.

Peter did not comprehend God’s redemptive plan in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, and he tried to talk Jesus out of allowing it to happen.

In so doing Peter unwittingly allowed himself to become a tool of Satan by trying to thwart Christ’s mission on earth and interfere with God’s redemptive plan for all mankind. Jesus’ whole purpose in living was to die (cp Isa 53:10; Jn 3:16; 10:17-18; 12:27; Ac 2:22-23; 4:26-28).

Peter was not thinking from God’s viewpoint but Satan’s, and Jesus rebuked him as Satan for yielding to Satan’s influence. (See also comments on Mk 9:9-10, Jn 20:9).

16:24 See comments on Mt 10:37-38."> 16:24 See comments on Mt 10:37-38.

16:25-26 See comments on Mt 10:39."> 16:25-26 See comments on Mt 10:39.

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