Jesus well knew that he must remain faithful until death at Satan’s hand​—prophetically foretold as the bruising of the heel of the woman’s “seed”—​in order to prove the rightfulness of God’s sovereignty. (Matthew 16:21; 17:12)

“You think, not God’s thoughts, but those of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23)

Jesus had told his apostles that he would have to go to Jerusalem, be handed over to the religious leaders there, endure torture, and then be put to death. (Matt. 16:21)

So Peter took Jesus aside and said: “Be kind to yourself, Lord; you will not have this happen to you at all.” (Matt. 16:22)

For instance, when Jesus told his apostles that he would suffer and die, Peter rebuked him, saying: “You will not have this happen to you at all.” (Matt. 16:21-23)

You are a stumbling block to me, because you think, not God’s thoughts, but those of men.”​—Matt. 16:21-23; Acts 1:6.

This knowledge strengthened his decision to maintain his faithful, self-sacrificing course without wavering.​—Read Matthew 16:21-23.

Peter in particular disappointed Jesus several times. (Matt. 16:21-23; 26:31-35, 75)

To help him and the other disciples, Jesus gave frank counsel, stated the consequences of a self-sparing attitude, and outlined the blessings of a self-sacrificing spirit. (Matt. 16:21-27)

​—Based on Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, 1 Corinthians.

Matthew 1-21

That if not careful, even a sincere person could promote, “not God’s thoughts, but those of men.” (Matt. 16:21-23)

He also identified and resisted subtle attempts to influence his thinking and actions. (Matt. 16:21-23)

• Jesus: Matthew 1-28; Mark 1-16; Luke 1-24; John 1-21.c

He took Jesus aside and rebuked him, saying: “Be kind to yourself, Lord; you will not have this destiny at all.”​—Matthew 16:21, 22.

Peter on occasion failed to view matters from a spiritual perspective. (Matt. 16:21-23)

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You are a stumbling block to me, because you think, not God’s thoughts, but those of men.”​—Mark 8:32, 33; Matt. 16:21-23.

The course of discipleship requires that we develop and maintain a self-sacrificing spirit like that of Christ Jesus.​—Matt. 16:21-25; Luke 9:22, 23.

(Matt. 1:1–20:34)

You are a stumbling block to me, because you think, not God’s thoughts, but those of men.”​—Matthew 16:21-23.

While there, however, Jesus began to show his disciples that “he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the older men and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised up.” (Matthew 16:21)

Peter had “not God’s mind, but that of men.”​—Matthew 16:22, 23; footnote.

Matthew 16:21 says: “From that time forward Jesus Christ commenced showing his disciples that he must . . . suffer . . . and be killed.”

Drawing on thoughts found at Psalm 49:8 and 62:12, he kindly reminded them that their everlasting prospects lay, not with men, who could not provide salvation, but with God.​—Matthew 16:22-28.

Furthermore, Jesus has begun to reveal to his disciples something they find very difficult to grasp​—“he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the older men and chief priests and scribes, and be killed.”​—Matthew 16:21-23.

You are a stumbling block to me, because you think, not God’s thoughts, but those of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23)

“You are a stumbling block to me, because you think, not God’s thoughts, but those of men.”​—Matthew 16:21-23.

The apostle Peter said: “Be kind to yourself, Lord; you will not have this destiny at all.”​—Matthew 16:21, 22.

He was prepared to die, even reacting strongly to Peter’s words: “Be kind to yourself, Lord; you will not have this destiny at all.” (Matthew 16:21-23)