In the temptation stories, Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the
world if he will worship him (Matt 4:9; Luke 4:6–7). Similarly, Peter tempts
Jesus not to take the path of suffering and self-denial. The alternatives are
reduced to two: follow Jesus or oppose him. Either one’s mind is set on God or
on human concerns (cf. Matt 15:11 and 16:5–12). Matthew adds Peter’s words,
“God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you” (cf. Mark 8:32). In
response, Jesus orders Peter to get “behind [opisō] me.” There may be a double entendre here: get out of Jesus’
way and take his proper place again with others who follow (4:19; 10:38; 16:24).
(R. Alan Culpepper, Matthew: A
Commentary [The New Testament Library; Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John
Knox Press, 2021], 318)
