Jesus calls not Peter, but Satan, "a hindrance”: a stumbling block. Satan keeps trying to make Jesus stumble on his path of obedience (see Matthew 4:1–11). Jesus does not call him a stumbling block for me,
but to me,
showing how Satan has this permanent function during his earthly life: now through a seemingly good word from Peter. Jesus could end Satan’s attacks, but he tolerates Satan’s constant presence as part of his path of suffering and temptation, in a continual struggle to keep Satan behind him.
Jesus calls not Peter, but Satan, "a hindrance,” that is, a stumbling block. Satan constantly presents himself on the path that Jesus had been called to walk (see Matthew 4:1–11) and constantly tries to cause him to stumble. Jesus does not call him a stumbling block for me,
but to me.
This indicates that Satan has this permanent function during his earthly life. On this occasion he appears in the form of an apparently good word from Peter. The Son of Man could have completely put an end to this permanent aggression by Satan, yet he willingly suffers this offence as it is his calling to suffer and to be tempted. Jesus therefore continues the struggle to keep Satan behind him. He does not want to stumble over this stumbling block but tolerates its constant presence. This is how he walked the way of humble obedience through Satan’s minefield.1
23 Mais Jésus, se retournant, dit à Pierre: Arrière de moi, Satan! tu m'es en scandale; car tes pensées ne sont pas les pensées de Dieu, mais celles des hommes.