Peter’s merely human considerations disregarded God’s plan (see Philippians 2:2–11, Philippians 3:19–20; Colossians 3:2). Jesus rebuked Peter (Mark 8:33) thus driving away the devil, as he had done earlier (see Matthew 4:10). The cross is a stumbling block to the Jews (1 Corinthians 1:23), but those who reject the cross are a stumbling block to Christ, for the Messiah must suffer—which Peter here opposed. Peter’s words align him, ironically, with all who do not know Jesus (Matthew 16:13–14). Satan aligns himself with such people, not with God, who will save humanity through Jesus’ death (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:9). Peter cannot see how God could let Jesus fall under the judgment of human authorities, but this thinking conflicts with God’s will. Of ourselves, we do not want God’s Son to die for our sins. His sacrifice is a stumbling block and foolishness to us (1 Corinthians 1:23). Peter shows our human resistance to God’s plan. Jesus’ strong reaction is also due to his own struggle in revealing his coming suffering. The thought that the Father will forsake him terrifies the Son who lives in the Father’s love, for that will be his deepest agony (Matthew 26:36–46; Matthew 27:46). Knowing that this dreadful hour is coming is what makes Peter’s words, in appealing to the Father’s love for the Son, so painful. Peter was right about God’s love, so how hard it is for Jesus to have to give up that grace, and how firmly he must resist the temptation to keep his unbroken communion with the Father and avoid suffering.
Peter’s core error was the fact that he was completely consumed by earthly, human considerations, thereby disregarding God’s plan (see Philippians 2:2–11, Philippians 3:19–20; Colossians 3:2). Jesus rebuked Peter (Mark 8:33) and at the same time drove away the devil, just as he had done earlier (see Matthew 4:10). The cross forms a stumbling block to the Jews (1 Corinthians 1:23), yet those who reject the cross become a stumbling block to Christ. For it was God’s necessary plan of redemption, that the Messiah would suffer—which Peter here opposed.1
But why exactly is Peter’s offence so serious? Because his mind is fixed on human concerns rather than the things of God. This contrast makes clear that the reference is to people insofar as they turn away from God—those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus (Matthew 16:13–14). Satan aligns himself with such people, not with God, who intends to save humanity through Jesus’ death (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:9). But how can Peter grasp this? Did he not set his mind on God’s purposes? Surely God would never allow his Son to fall under the judgment of human authorities. Yet Peter’s thinking was at odds with God’s will. And it seems that people simply do not want God’s Son to die for their sins. The sacrifice of God’s Son on earth proves a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles (1 Corinthians 1:23), for they seek a sign and wisdom. Peter’s resistance is a very clear and adamant manifestation of this proud aversion to the sacrificial death of God’s Son.
Furthermore, Jesus’ strong reaction must also be understood in light of his own emotional struggle as he taught about his coming suffering. Peter struck a nerve. Does Jesus truly believe that the Father will forsake him? Such a thought terrifies the Son who lives in the Father’s love. For the deepest agony of his suffering will be precisely that abandonment (Matthew 26:36–46; Matthew 27:46). Jesus knows that this dreadful moment is now fast approaching, and that is why Peter’s words, in appealing to the Father’s love for the Son, were so painful. Peter was right about God’s love. How bitter, then, that Jesus would have to surrender that grace in order to die for our sins. And how firmly must he not steel himself against the temptation to avoid suffering for the sake of unbroken communion with the Father. His only weapon is the certainty that it is not only human sin that demands the sacrificial death of God’s Son (even though it is they who will kill him), but that it is God himself who wills human hostility and rejection, so that through the death of his Son, the Church of Christ may live.2
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.