Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 16:21-23

We have here Christ's discourse with his disciples concerning his own sufferings; in which observe, I. Christ's foretelling of his sufferings. Now he began to do it, and from this time he frequently spake of them. Some hints he had already given of his sufferings, as when he said, Destroy this temple: when he spake of the Son of man being lifted up, and of eating his flesh, and drinking his blood: but now he began to show it, to speak plainly and expressly of it. Hitherto he had not touched... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 16:20-23

16:20-23 He gave orders to his disciples to tell no one that he was God's Anointed One. 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 be raised on the third day. Peter caught hold of him, and began to urge upon him: "God forbid that this should happen to you! This must never come to you!" He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are putting a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 16:20-23

Before we leave this passage, it is interesting to look at two very early interpretations of the phrase: "Get behind me, Satan!" Origen suggested that, Jesus was saying to Peter: "Peter, your place is behind me, not in front of me. It is your place to follow me in the way I choose, not to try to lead me in the way you would like me to go." If the phrase can be interpreted in that way, something at least of its sting is removed, for it does not banish Peter from Christ's presence; rather it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 16:22

Then Peter took him ,.... The Arabic version reads it, "called to him": the Ethiopic, "answered him"; and the Syriac, "led him"; he took him aside, by himself; and as the Persic version, "privately said to him", or he took him by the hand in a familiar way, to expostulate with him, and dissuade him from thinking and talking of any such things; and began to rebuke him : reprove and chide him, forgetting himself and his distance; though he did it not out of passion and ill will, but out of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 16:23

But he turned ,.... Either to Peter, changing his countenance, and looking sternly upon him, or rather to the disciples; for Mark says, "when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter": Peter had took him aside, and was arguing the case privately with him; but what he said was so offensive to him, that he chose to reprove him publicly before the disciples; and therefore turned himself from him to them, in a way of resentment, and said unto Peter ; in their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:22

Then Peter took him - Προσλαβομενος - took him up - suddenly interrupted him, as it were calling him to order - see Wakefield. Some versions give προσλαβομενος the sense of calling him aside. The word signifies also to receive in a friendly manner - to embrace; but Mr. Wakefield's translation agrees better with the scope of the place. A man like Peter, who is of an impetuous spirit, and decides without consideration upon every subject, must of necessity be often in the wrong. Be it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:23

Get thee behind me, Satan - Υπαγε οπισω μου σατανα . Get behind me, thou adversary. This is the proper translation of the Hebrew word שטן Satan , from which the Greek word is taken. Our blessed Lord certainly never designed that men should believe he called Peter, Devil, because he, through erring affection, had wished him to avoid that death which he predicted to himself. This translation, which is literal, takes away that harshness which before appeared in our Lord's words. Thou... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:22

Verse 22 Matthew 16:22.And Peter, taking him aside, began to rebuke him. It is a proof of the excessive zeal of Peter, that he reproves his Master; though it would appear that the respect he entertained for him was his reason for taking him aside, because he did not venture to reprove him in presence of others. Still, it was highly presumptuous in Peter to advise our Lord to spare himself, as if he had been deficient in prudence or self-command. But so completely are men hurried on and driven... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:23

Verse 23 23.Get thee behind me, Satan. It is idle to speculate, as some have done, about the word ( ὀπίσω) behind; as if Peter were ordered to follow, and not to go before; for, in a passage which we have already considered, Luke ( Luke 4:8) informs us that our Lord used those very words in repelling the attacks of Satan, and the verb ὕπαγε (from which the Latin word Apage is derived) signifies to withdraw (460) Christ therefore throws his disciple to a distance from him, because, in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:20-28

The cross. I. THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMING SUFFERING . 1 . Lord. Two figures come prominently into contrast—the Lord and Peter: the Lord looking forwards with sweet and holy calmness to agony and shame and death; Peter, eager and impetuous, burning with zeal for what seemed to him his Master's honour. The Lord bade the apostles tell no man that he was the Christ. The people were not ready for the announcement; if they accepted it, they would in their present temper... read more

Group of Brands