Get Behind Me, Satan

A Word with a Twisted History

"Satan" is one of those words that has carried many meanings through time. It's gone from a title, to a being, to a metaphor. And in Mark 8, when Jesus says to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan," it seems he's tapping into that third meaning—a metaphor. This moment isn't just about a name-calling outburst. It's rich with layers of tradition, language, and theological imagination that Jesus draws together to make a profound point.

A Moment of Conflict and Clarity

In the story, Peter takes Jesus aside to rebuke him. It’s a bold move—to correct your teacher, your rabbi, your Messiah. But Jesus doesn’t stay isolated with Peter. He turns away from Peter, back toward the disciples, and says: "Get behind me, Satan."

Now, we might hear that and immediately think, "Devil." But that's likely not what Jesus means here.

What Does "Satan" Mean, Anyway?

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word "satan" or "ha-satan" wasn't originally a proper name. It was more of a title. It meant "the adversary" or "the accuser." In fact, there’s a scene in Numbers where God is described as standing against Balaam as an adversary—as his "satan."

Later, as Jewish and Greek ideas began to blend, "ha-satan" started translating the Greek word "diabolos," which does carry more of that devilish connotation. So by Jesus' time, this Satan-devil character had started to take shape in people's minds.

But even then, every appearance of "satan" in the Scriptures doesn't necessarily mean some cosmic evil being. Sometimes it just means "opponent."

A Teaching Hidden in a Rebuke

So when Jesus says, "Get behind me, Satan," is he really talking to the devil? Is he calling Peter his enemy?

Probably not.

More likely, Jesus is acknowledging the way Peter’s vision of Messiah has become distorted. Peter is imagining a Messiah of power, of triumph, of political dominance. And Jesus is rejecting that version of the story.

Notice what happens: Peter pulls Jesus away. Jesus turns back toward the group. Peter is, quite literally, behind Jesus.

Jesus isn’t casting Peter out. He’s placing him, his friend, in the proper position—behind him, following him.

Naming the Real Adversary

Jesus isn’t confused. He knows Peter isn’t his adversary. Peter is his friend. But Peter, like all of us, sometimes carries stories and imaginations about God that run contrary to the kingdom Jesus is proclaiming.

What Jesus names as Satan here isn't Peter himself—it's the idea that Messiah means triumph. It's the assumption that God wins through domination. It’s the dangerous belief that victory always looks like strength.

And that, Jesus says, must get behind him.

Grace Beyond Misconception

This is the beauty of Jesus. He can distinguish between the person and their misguided perspective. He knows Peter's heart, even when Peter doesn't fully understand Jesus' mission.

And he knows yours, too.

Yes, we all carry unhelpful ideas. We all fall short. We all sometimes believe the wrong stories about who God is. But those are not the sum total of who we are.

And Jesus does not confuse your mistakes with your identity.

Learning to Let Go

There are ideologies and narratives we all need to release in order to follow Jesus more closely. But the good news is this: Jesus never abandons us to our misconceptions. He meets us in them. And he gently, persistently invites us into a better story.

Because grace doesn’t wait for us to get it all right.

Grace finds us, even in our bad theology, and patiently walks us forward.