Matthew 16:21-23 (also Mk. 8:31-9:1; Lk. 9:22-27)

21 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 up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

When Peter revealed who Jesus was—that He was the Messiah, Jesus was quick to warn Peter and the disciples not to tell this to anyone (v. 20). He wanted them to know that it was not His time to be exalted, but rather to suffer and die. It appeared that Peter didn’t like this at all; and he didn’t like that Jesus was saying it. In fact, Peter thought that Jesus was misguided in thinking it, that He ought to think more positively—kinglier, or more like “the Son of the living God” (v. 16).

But Jesus knew immediately that Peter was being influenced by Satan. And He, even for His own sake, had to cut off these wrong, Satanic ideas. It was soon time for Him to suffer and die; and he had to be prepared for it. And Peter and the disciples had to be prepared for it too.