This saying, popular among Southern Church Ladies probably since there were Southern Church Ladies, both black and white, as well as many Abuelas across Latinx culture. It is derived from a New Testament Bible verses, specifically in the Book of
Matthew, Ch16: v.23 and is a rebuke of Peter "“Get behind me,
Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (KJV) Peter has disavowed knowledge of
Jesus to the Centurions because he's feared for his own life. So,
Jesus sees him as a great betrayer, an obstacle in his way.
The phrase can also be attributed to
Jesus' response to the Third Temptation in the Desert in
Matt. Ch. 4:v.10 "Away from Me,
Satan!"
Jesus declared. "For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'"
"Not today, Satan, not today" is the American vernacular translation of "Get the Behind me, Satan," and is a rebuke of any obstacle that can get in our way, telling it to get out of the way because we have bigger and better things to do.
On the 70s TV series "Sanford and Son" the character of Aunt Esther has used the phrase.
It did not originate with Bianca Del Rio on RuPaul's Drag Race in 2015. More than likely she heard it from abuelas or others in the drag community.
The title of
Jordan Peele's 2022 movie "NOPE" alludes to this, as one might say "Nope, not today, Satan." Knowing this helps clarify a key question about the film's ending. Thank you
Jordan Peele.
Not today,
Satan, not today: is a common opening phrase of sermons given by Evangelical pastor
It is also the title of a 2015
short by writer/director Judah
Ray and the title of episode 6 of the TV series "Body Hair" starring Jason Dottley
