Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 16:23. It’s a really important and challenging passage in the Bible, and it speaks to a deep struggle within Jesus himself. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is telling Peter – one of his closest disciples – that Peter is not following God’s will. He’s acting like he’s being tricked or corrupted by something outside of God. He's saying Peter is wasting his time and energy on things that aren’t truly valuable, and are actually tempting him to do wrong. Let’s unpack the parts: “But he turned…” : This shows Jesus is aware of a problem. He’s not just complaining; he's actively turning away from something. “…and said unto Peter…” : Jesus is addressing Peter directly, acknowledging his specific actions and perhaps his doubts. “Get thee behind me…” : This is the key phrase. “Behind me” means "away from me." It’s a command to distance himself from this behavior. “…Satan:” - This is a very important word – “Satan” means an adversary, a rebel, or a force of evil. Jesus is saying that Peter is being influenced by something outside of God. “Thou art an offense unto me…” : This is the core of the message. Jesus is saying that Peter’s behavior is wrong and harmful to him. He's feeling frustrated and annoyed because Peter isn’t aligning with God’s will. “…for thou savourest not the things that be of God…” : This means Peter is not enjoying or benefiting from things that are truly good and valuable – the things of God. It’s like trying to eat a delicious fruit and just getting a bitter taste. "...but those that be of men.” - This clarifies that Peter isn't being influenced by anything other than human motivations, desires, or temptations. It highlights that Peter is being led astray by his own weaknesses and preferences. In short: Jesus is saying that Peter is being corrupted by worldly things – focusing on fleeting pleasures instead of following God’s path. He’s feeling frustrated because Peter isn't prioritizing what truly matters – aligning with God's will. Why it’s significant: This verse speaks to the temptation to stray from righteousness and follow fleeting desires instead of abiding by God's principles. It’s a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment come from following God’s plan for our lives. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event in the Bible? Give some examples of what Peter might be doing that leads to this situation?