Luke 22:31

KJV

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the Lord {G2962} said {G2036}, Simon {G4613}, Simon {G4613}, behold {G2400}, Satan {G4567} hath desired {G1809} to have you {G5209}, that he may sift {G4617} you as {G5613} wheat {G4621}:

Complete Jewish Bible

“Shim‘on, Shim‘on, listen! The Adversary demanded to have you people for himself, to sift you like wheat!

Berean Standard Bible

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.

American Standard Version

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:31 records a profoundly significant and solemn warning from Jesus to Peter, delivered amidst the intimate and tension-filled setting of the Last Supper. This verse unveils a crucial spiritual reality: Satan's intense and deliberate desire to attack and destabilize the faith of not just Peter, but all the disciples, through a severe process of "sifting." Simultaneously, it powerfully highlights Christ's divine foreknowledge of these adversarial schemes and His unwavering, protective intercession on behalf of His followers, even in their moments of greatest vulnerability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal warning from Jesus immediately follows the institution of [the Lord's Supper](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke 22:19-20 - Institution of the Lord's Supper"), where Jesus reveals His body and blood as the new covenant. The disciples then engage in a contentious dispute about who among them was the greatest, prompting Jesus' teaching on servant leadership ([Luke 22:24-27](/luke/22-24-27 "Luke 22:24-27 - Dispute Among the Disciples")). The atmosphere is charged with the impending betrayal by Judas ([Luke 22:21-23](/luke/22-21-23 "Luke 22:21-23 - Jesus Predicts His Betrayal")) and the disciples' general spiritual unpreparedness for the trials that await them. Jesus' direct and emphatic address to "Simon, Simon" in this verse underscores the urgency and gravity of the spiritual danger, setting the stage for Peter's impending denial ([Luke 22:33-34](/luke/22-33-34 "Luke 22:33-34 - Peter's Denial Predicted")) and the subsequent scattering of the disciples.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the Passover feast, a time of immense spiritual and national significance for the Jewish people. The concept of "sifting" would have been a common agricultural practice familiar to the disciples. Wheat was threshed to separate the grain from the chaff, and then sifted through a sieve to further remove impurities and smaller debris, leaving only the pure, valuable grain. This process was often vigorous and could appear destructive, but its ultimate purpose was purification. Spiritually, this metaphor would resonate with the Old Testament concept of God allowing trials to purify His people, though here it is Satan who desires to initiate the "sifting" with a malicious intent to destroy.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 22:31 contributes significantly to several major themes within [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "The Gospel of Luke") and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the reality of **spiritual warfare**, revealing Satan as a cunning and active adversary who seeks to undermine the faith of believers, echoing the temptations Jesus Himself faced ([Luke 4:1-13](/luke/4-1-13 "Luke 4:1-13 - The Temptation of Jesus")). The passage also underscores **divine foreknowledge and sovereignty**, as Jesus is fully aware of Satan's schemes and even allows a measure of testing, yet retains ultimate control. Furthermore, it emphasizes the **vulnerability of even devoted followers** like Peter, demonstrating that spiritual maturity does not exempt one from intense spiritual attacks. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **God's refining purpose in trials**, where even Satan's malicious intent can be ultimately subverted by God to strengthen and purify faith, much like the sifting process yields pure grain.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **desired (Greek, _exaitéomai'_):** This word carries a strong connotation of "to ask for, demand, or obtain by asking permission." It implies an earnest, even urgent, request or demand. In this context, it suggests that Satan did not simply wish or hope to attack the disciples, but actively sought and obtained permission from a higher authority (God) to test them, much like in the book of [Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job"). This indicates a deliberate and calculated adversarial move, not a casual thought.
* **Satan (Greek, _Satanâs'_):** Derived from a Chaldee word meaning "the accuser" or "adversary," this name identifies the chief antagonist of God and humanity. He is not merely an abstract force of evil but a personal, malevolent being who actively opposes God's purposes and seeks to destroy human faith and relationship with God. His desire to "sift" is therefore rooted in his fundamental nature as the accuser and destroyer.
* **sift (Greek, _siniázō'_):** This vivid agricultural metaphor means "to riddle" or "to shake through a sieve." The process of sifting wheat is violent and unsettling; it involves vigorous shaking to separate the valuable grain from the worthless chaff and impurities. Applied spiritually, it signifies an intense, destabilizing trial or period of severe pressure designed to expose weaknesses, test the genuineness of faith, and potentially cause spiritual collapse by separating the true from the false.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon,'":** The opening "And" (G1161, _dé_) links this statement to the preceding narrative, often indicating a transition or emphasis. Jesus, here referred to as "the Lord" (G2962, _kýrios_), speaks with divine authority. The repetition of Peter's given name, "Simon, Simon" (G4613, _Símōn_), is a solemn and emphatic address. This double invocation is rare in the Gospels and typically signals a moment of profound importance, urgency, or deep personal concern, highlighting the gravity of the impending spiritual danger specifically for Peter, though the subsequent "you" is plural.
* **"behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you,":** The interjection "behold" (G2400, _idoú_) serves to draw immediate and serious attention to what follows. Jesus reveals the unseen spiritual reality: "Satan" (G4567, _Satanâs_), the adversary, has "desired" (G1809, _exaitéomai_) or "demanded" to have them. Crucially, the "you" (G5209, _hymâs_) here is plural, indicating that Satan's desire was to attack *all* the disciples, not just Peter. This reveals Satan's comprehensive malice against the entire nascent community of believers.
* **"that he may sift [you] as wheat:":** This clause explains the purpose and nature of Satan's desired attack. The phrase "sift you as wheat" (G4617, _siniázō_ G5613, _hōs_ G4621, _sîtos_) employs a powerful agricultural metaphor. Just as wheat is vigorously shaken in a sieve to separate the valuable grain from the worthless chaff and impurities, Satan's intention is to subject the disciples to intense trials and pressures. His goal is malicious: to expose their weaknesses, cause them to stumble, and ultimately separate them from their faith, leaving only spiritual "chaff."

#### Literary Devices
The profound message of Luke 22:31 is amplified through several key literary devices. The **Repetition** of "Simon, Simon" serves as a powerful rhetorical device, emphasizing the urgency and personal nature of Jesus' warning to Peter, drawing him into a moment of unique gravity. The most striking device is the **Metaphor** "sift you as wheat." This vivid image, drawn from common agricultural practice, powerfully conveys the nature of the spiritual trial: a violent, unsettling process designed to separate and expose. While the physical sifting aims to purify, Satan's intent in spiritual sifting is destructive, aiming to discard the "grain" (faith) and leave only "chaff" (unbelief or spiritual ruin). Furthermore, the verse employs **Foreshadowing**, as Jesus' warning directly anticipates Peter's impending denial and the scattering of the disciples, revealing Christ's omniscience. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the disciples, particularly Peter, are largely unaware of the spiritual battle raging around them and the severity of the trials they are about to face, contrasting with Jesus' clear divine insight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:31 offers a profound glimpse into the reality of spiritual warfare and God's sovereign hand over it. It reveals that Satan is a real, active, and malicious adversary who seeks to undermine the faith of believers. However, the use of "desired" (exaitéomai) strongly implies that Satan operates under God's ultimate permission, echoing the narrative of Job where Satan had to request permission to test Job. This highlights God's sovereignty even over the forces of evil, allowing trials not for destruction, but often for refinement and the strengthening of faith, even when the adversary's intent is purely destructive. This passage also underscores the vital role of Christ's intercession, as His prayer for Peter's faith ensures that the sifting, though severe, will not result in ultimate failure.

* [Job 1:6-12](/job/1-6-12 "Job 1:6-12 - Satan Seeks Permission to Test Job")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober and Vigilant")
* [James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - Trials Produce Steadfastness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:31 serves as a timeless and essential reminder for every believer: we are engaged in a real spiritual battle, and our adversary, Satan, is actively seeking to undermine our faith. This verse calls us to a sober awareness that trials and temptations, often feeling like a violent "sifting," are not random occurrences but can be part of a deliberate strategy by the enemy to expose our weaknesses and cause us to stumble. Yet, the profound comfort and hope lie in Christ's divine foreknowledge and His active, ongoing intercession for us. Just as Jesus prayed for Peter, He continues to intercede for His people, ensuring that even when we are shaken, our faith will not ultimately fail. This perspective transforms our understanding of trials, allowing us to see them not merely as obstacles, but as opportunities for God to refine our faith, separate the genuine from the superficial, and draw us into deeper reliance on Him. We are called to vigilance, prayer, and an unwavering trust in our High Priest who knows our struggles and advocates for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Satan's desire to "sift" impact your view of personal trials and temptations?**
* **In what ways have you experienced a "sifting" in your own faith journey, and what was the outcome?**
* **How does Jesus' foreknowledge and intercession for Peter encourage you in your own spiritual struggles?**
* **What practical steps can you take to remain vigilant and strengthen your faith in the face of spiritual attacks?**

### FAQ

**Why does Jesus address Peter as "Simon, Simon" instead of "Peter"?**

Answer: The repetition of "Simon, Simon" (Peter's given name) is a significant rhetorical device used by Jesus. In biblical culture, a double address often conveys deep emotion, urgency, solemnity, or a profound warning. By using "Simon," Jesus is addressing Peter in his human, unredeemed state, highlighting his vulnerability and the impending failure of his natural strength. It contrasts with the name "Peter" (meaning "rock"), which Jesus had given him to signify his future role and spiritual stability ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter, the Rock")). In this moment, Jesus is speaking to the "Simon" who is about to fall, emphasizing the personal and critical nature of the warning before reminding him of his future restoration and strengthening of his brothers in [Luke 22:32](/luke/22-32 "Luke 22:32 - Jesus' Prayer for Peter").

**What does it mean for Satan to "sift you as wheat," and how does this apply to believers today?**

Answer: The metaphor of "sifting as wheat" refers to a violent and intense process of testing and purification. In agriculture, wheat is sifted to separate the valuable grain from the worthless chaff and impurities. Spiritually, Satan's desire is to subject believers to severe trials, temptations, and pressures that aim to expose weaknesses, cause doubt, and ultimately separate them from their faith, leaving behind only spiritual "chaff." For believers today, this means recognizing that spiritual attacks are real and often designed to destabilize our faith. These "siftings" can manifest as intense doubts, moral failures, relational conflicts, or overwhelming external pressures. However, the comfort for believers is that while Satan's intent is destructive, God often permits such trials for His own redemptive purposes: to refine our faith, remove impurities, and strengthen our reliance on Him, ultimately producing steadfastness and spiritual maturity ([James 1:2-4](/james/1-2-4 "James 1:2-4 - Trials Produce Steadfastness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:31 finds its ultimate fulfillment and hope in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Satan's desire to "sift" Peter and the disciples was a real and terrifying threat, it was met by the sovereign will and active intercession of the Son of God. Jesus, as our great High Priest, not only foreknew the enemy's schemes but actively prayed for Peter's faith not to fail ([Luke 22:32](/luke/22-32 "Luke 22:32 - Jesus' Prayer for Peter")), demonstrating His perfect empathy and unwavering commitment to His own. This prayer is a microcosm of Christ's ongoing priestly ministry, where He continually intercedes for His people before the Father ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our High Priest") and [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes for Us")). The sifting, though painful, did not lead to Peter's ultimate destruction because Christ's prayer secured his restoration and future usefulness. Thus, the verse points to Christ as the one who triumphs over the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")), who protects His flock even when they are most vulnerable, and who ensures that even the enemy's malicious attacks are ultimately constrained and used by God to refine and strengthen the faith of His elect, making them more like the pure "wheat" for His kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 3:1

¶ And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

1 Peter 5:8

¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Job 1:6

¶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

Job 1:12

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath [is] in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Job 2:1

¶ Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

Job 2:6

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he [is] in thine hand; but save his life.

Revelation 12:10

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.