And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon. On this reduplication of the name, see the note at Luke 10:41, and at Matthew 23:37.
Satan hath desired to have you, х exeeteesato (G1809) humas (G5209)]. The meaning is, 'obtained (by asking) you'-not thee, Peter, but you, all.
That he may sift you as wheat - is sifted. "The accuser of the brethren, who accuseth them before God day and night" (Revelation 12:10), is here represented as accusing these disciples of Christ of hollowness in their attachment to Him; and alleging that if, as in the case of Job (Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-6), he were only permitted to "sift them," it would soon be seen that there was chaff enough among the wheat, if indeed there would be found, after that sifting, any wheat at all. So he first 'asks them,' and then he 'obtains them' (for both ideas are required to complete the sense of the word used) for this sifting purpose. And observe it is not 'hath obtained,' but 'obtained;' that is, it is a transaction past, and you are already given over to him-to the extent of his petition-to be allowed to sift you.