King James Version

What Does Mark 8:32 Mean?

Mark 8:32 in the King James Version says “And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.”

Mark 8:32 · KJV

Context

30

And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

31

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

32

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

33

But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

34

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he spake that saying openly—The adverb parrēsia (παρρησίᾳ, 'openly, plainly, boldly') marks a turning point in Jesus's ministry. Previously using veiled parables about His fate, He now speaks ton logon (τὸν λόγον, 'the word, the message') frankly: the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected by religious leaders, be killed, and rise after three days (verse 31).

And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him—Peter's response is shocking: proslabomenos auton (προσλαβόμενος αὐτόν, 'taking Him aside') suggests physical grasp or pulling Jesus away for private correction. The verb epitiman (ἐπιτιμᾶν, 'to rebuke') is the same used for rebuking demons and storms—Peter attempts to correct Jesus's theology! This reveals how radically Jesus's suffering-Messiah paradigm contradicted expectations. Peter has just confessed Jesus as Christ (verse 29) but cannot reconcile messiahship with suffering. His rebuke exposes the disciples' persistent blindness: they see Jesus as Messiah but remain blind to the cross's necessity. The irony is profound—Peter rebukes the Lord for speaking truth, becoming Satan's mouthpiece (verse 33).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish messianic expectation was shaped by passages like Psalm 2, Isaiah 11, and Daniel 7—texts emphasizing royal victory, not suffering. The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 was rarely connected to messianic hope. Peter's rebuke reflects not personal failure but cultural conditioning—no one anticipated a crucified Messiah, making Jesus's mission genuinely 'foolishness to Greeks and a stumbling block to Jews' (1 Corinthians 1:23).

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you 'rebuked' Jesus by resisting His plan because it didn't match your expectations?
  2. What aspects of Christian discipleship do you find yourself trying to 'correct' to make more comfortable or culturally acceptable?
  3. How does Peter's mistake warn against confessing Jesus as Lord while rejecting His appointed path of suffering?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
καὶ1 of 13

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παῤῥησίᾳ2 of 13

“openly”

G3954

all out-spokenness, i.e., frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance

τὸν3 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγον4 of 13

“that saying”

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

ἐλάλει5 of 13

“he spake”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

καὶ6 of 13

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

προσλαβόμενος7 of 13

“took”

G4355

to take to oneself, i.e., use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality)

αὐτῷ8 of 13

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ9 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρος10 of 13

“Peter”

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

ἤρξατο11 of 13

“and began”

G756

to commence (in order of time)

ἐπιτιμᾶν12 of 13

“to rebuke”

G2008

to tax upon, i.e., censure or admonish; by implication, forbid

αὐτῷ13 of 13

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 8:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 8:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 16:22John 16:25John 16:29John 18:20Luke 10:40Mark 4:38

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