King James Version

What Does Mark 8:33 Mean?

Mark 8:33 in the King James Version says “But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou ...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Mark 8:33 · KJV

Context

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.

35

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men—Jesus's rebuke is the most severe in the Gospels: Hupage opisō mou, Satana (Ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ, 'Go behind me, Satan'). The same phrase appears during wilderness temptation (Matthew 4:10), linking Peter's resistance to satanic opposition. Jesus doesn't call Peter 'Satan' ontologically but functionally—at this moment, Peter serves Satan's agenda by opposing God's redemptive plan.

The diagnosis is precise: ou phroneis ta tou theou alla ta tōn anthrōpōn (οὐ φρονεῖς τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ ἀλλὰ τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, 'you do not think the things of God but the things of men'). The verb phroneis (φρονεῖς) means 'to think, to have understanding, to set one's mind on.' Peter's mind is earthly-oriented (human glory, political victory, self-preservation) rather than God-oriented (redemptive suffering, sacrificial love, cross-bearing). This rebuke occurs immediately after Jesus turned to see His disciples (verse 33a)—He addresses Peter's error publicly because all the disciples share this blindness. Just as the blind man needed Christ's second touch for clarity (verses 24-25), Peter needs correction to progress from partial to complete understanding of messiahship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of a suffering Messiah was so foreign to Jewish thought that even post-resurrection, Jesus had to explain how 'the Christ should suffer these things' (Luke 24:26, 46). Peter's rebuke represents not individual failure but the universal human rejection of God's wisdom—we naturally gravitate toward glory without suffering, victory without cross, resurrection without death.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of life do you 'savor the things of men' (comfort, success, approval) rather than God's values (sacrifice, service, cross-bearing)?
  2. How might your prayers or plans oppose God's purposes by seeking blessing without suffering or glory without humility?
  3. What does it mean practically to 'get behind Jesus'—following His path rather than prescribing your own?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ὁ1 of 26
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 26

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐπιστραφεὶς3 of 26

“when he had turned about”

G1994

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)

καὶ4 of 26

“and”

G2532

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

ἰδὼν5 of 26

“looked”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τοὺς6 of 26
G3588

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

μαθητὰς7 of 26

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ8 of 26
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

ἐπετίμησεν9 of 26

“he rebuked”

G2008

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

τῷ10 of 26
G3588

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

Πέτρῳ11 of 26

“Peter”

G4074

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

λέγων,12 of 26

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ὕπαγε13 of 26

“Get thee”

G5217

to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively

ὀπίσω14 of 26

“behind”

G3694

to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)

μου15 of 26

“me”

G3450

of me

σατανᾶ16 of 26

“Satan”

G4567

the accuser, i.e., the devil

ὅτι17 of 26

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐ18 of 26

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

φρονεῖς19 of 26

“thou savourest”

G5426

to exercise the mind, i.e., entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain d

τὰ20 of 26
G3588

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

τοῦ21 of 26
G3588

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

θεοῦ22 of 26

“the things that be of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἀλλὰ23 of 26

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

τὰ24 of 26
G3588

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

τῶν25 of 26
G3588

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

ἀνθρώπων26 of 26

“the things that be of men”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

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 8:33 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 8:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 4:10Philippians 3:191 John 2:15James 3:15-18Genesis 3:4-6Mark 3:34

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