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6) Peter and the term 'satan'
9. The term is used again in relation to (Simon) Peter,
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren.” And he said unto him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you, both into prison, and to death.” And he said, “I tell you, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that you shall thrice deny that you know me.” (Luke 22:31-34)
Background: Peter wilfully lacked understanding of Y'shua's intent and as a result did not trust his words. Peter saw things differently to Y'shua. To Peter, Y'shua was the king, but Y'shua saw himself as the suffering 'son of man'.
'Satan sifting' is equated to the events that led to Peter denying he knew Y'shua, which presents two options: 1. Satan was the authorities, who were keen to identify him. 2 Satan was personification of Peter's own incorrect thinking in opposition to Y'shua's thinking.
10. Luke's record of the acts of the Apostles. Peter uses the term satan in rebuke,
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled thine heart to lie to the holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied unto men, but unto God.” (Acts 5:1-4)
Meaning: Whatever satan did it was paralleled with what Ananias thought in his heart. All responsibility is given to Ananias. But the satan was Ananias' wife. Peter knew this, but he did not name her. See the next event, when she comes in.
Peter answered unto her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
And she said, “Yea, for so much.”
Then Peter said unto her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.” (Acts 5:8-9)
Who was the prime mover: Ananais or his wife? Peter knows it's Ananais who conceived the idea. But who filled Ananias' heart? How did they agree? It was his wife who filled his heart and encouraged him. Therefore the wife's thinking was the satan Peter was referring to.
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