Luke 4:10

KJV

For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063}{G3754} it is written {G1125}, He shall give {G1781} his {G846} angels {G32} charge {G1781} over {G4012} thee {G4675}, to keep {G1314} thee {G4571}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For the Tanakh says, `He will order his angels to be responsible for you and to protect you.

Berean Standard Bible

For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You carefully;

American Standard Version

for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:10, a pivotal verse in the wilderness temptation narrative, records the devil's manipulative quotation of Scripture to entice Jesus to presumptuously test God's protection. This moment underscores the cunning nature of spiritual deception, the absolute authority of God's Word, and the critical distinction between genuine faith and reckless presumption, setting the stage for Jesus' unwavering obedience to the Father.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the second of three temptations Jesus faces from the devil in the wilderness, immediately following the devil's first failed attempt to tempt Jesus with food after His forty-day fast in [Luke 4:1-4](/luke/4-1-4 "Luke 4:1-4 - Jesus' First Temptation"). Having failed to tempt Jesus through physical hunger, the devil shifts tactics, now challenging Jesus' divine Sonship by urging Him to perform a spectacular public display of power. The temptation to cast Himself down from the temple pinnacle, relying on divine intervention, is a direct assault on Jesus' trust and obedience, culminating in Jesus' definitive counter-quote from [Deuteronomy 6:16](/deuteronomy/6-16 "Deuteronomy 6:16 - Do Not Test the Lord") in [Luke 4:12](/luke/4-12 "Luke 4:12 - Jesus' Response to Temptation"), which exposes the devil's distortion of Scripture and reaffirms Jesus' commitment to honoring God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this temptation is the pinnacle of the Jerusalem temple, a highly visible and sacred site. For a Jewish Messiah, a miraculous descent from such a prominent location would have been a profoundly significant and persuasive sign, potentially fulfilling popular expectations of a Messiah who would perform wonders. The devil's quote from [Psalm 91](/psalm/91 "Psalm 91 - God's Protection") would have been familiar to Jesus and His Jewish audience, as it speaks of God's protective care over those who trust in Him. However, the devil's selective quotation and misapplication of the Psalm reflect a common rabbinic practice of quoting Scripture, but here it is twisted to serve a deceptive purpose, highlighting the importance of understanding the full context and intent of the biblical text.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 4:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Jesus' Obedience and Authority**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to God's will despite intense temptation, contrasting sharply with Israel's failures in the wilderness (e.g., [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion")). It also powerfully illustrates the **Nature of Temptation and Spiritual Warfare**, revealing the devil's insidious strategy of twisting truth and appealing to pride or self-glorification, a theme echoed in other New Testament warnings against deception (e.g., [2 Corinthians 11:14](/2_corinthians/11-14 "2 Corinthians 11:14 - Satan Disguises Himself")). Furthermore, the passage underscores the **Supremacy and Proper Interpretation of Scripture**, as Jesus' victory over temptation is achieved by rightly wielding the Word of God against its misuse, emphasizing the need for diligent study and contextual understanding of divine revelation (cf. [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16-17 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-Breathed")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This verb, in its perfect passive indicative form (gegraptai), signifies an action completed in the past with continuing results. It underscores the enduring authority and established truth of Scripture. When the devil says "it is written," he acknowledges the divine origin and power of the text, even as he attempts to pervert its meaning. This phrase is consistently used by Jesus throughout His ministry to appeal to the settled, unchangeable truth of God's Word.
* **charge (Greek, _entéllomai'_):** Derived from "en" (in) and a root meaning "end" or "purpose," this word means "to enjoin," "to command," or "to give a charge." It conveys the idea of a specific instruction or commission. Here, it highlights that angels are not autonomous agents but operate under divine directive. God gives them a specific "charge" or command regarding the protection of His people, implying a purposeful, ordered, and authoritative ministry, not a random or unconditional one.
* **keep (Greek, _diaphylássō'_):** This compound verb, formed from "dia" (through, thoroughly) and "phylassō" (to guard, watch), means "to guard thoroughly" or "to protect completely." It emphasizes a comprehensive and vigilant form of preservation. The devil uses this word to imply an absolute, unconditional protection, suggesting that no harm could possibly come to Jesus if He were to jump, thus presuming upon God's thorough guardianship outside of His will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For it is written,"**: This introductory phrase, "For it is written" (γέγραπται γάρ, _gegraptai gar_), is the devil's direct quotation of [Psalm 91:11](/psalm/91-11 "Psalm 91:11 - Angelic Protection"). The Greek perfect tense of "written" (γέγραπται) implies a past action with continuing, authoritative results, indicating that the Scripture stands as an unchangeable and binding truth. The devil uses this phrase to lend an air of divine authority to his temptation, attempting to cloak his deception in the guise of biblical truth.
* **"He shall give his angels charge over thee,"**: This clause states that God (implied subject, "He") will issue a command or commission (_enteleitai_) to His angels (_angelous_) concerning Jesus ("over thee"). The phrase affirms the reality of angelic ministry, where angels are dispatched by God to fulfill His purposes. The devil quotes this to suggest that Jesus is entitled to special, miraculous intervention and protection simply because He is the Son of God, implying that God's protection is a blank check for any action, however reckless.
* **"to keep thee:"**: This final phrase, "to keep thee" (_diaphylaxai se_), specifies the purpose of the angelic charge: to thoroughly guard and protect Jesus. The verb _diaphylaxai_ (from _diaphylássō_) implies a complete and thorough safeguarding. By quoting this, the devil attempts to convince Jesus that He is immune to harm, even if He were to deliberately put Himself in danger. However, the devil strategically omits the qualifying phrase from [Psalm 91:11-12](/psalm/91-11-12 "Psalm 91:11-12 - Angelic Protection in All Your Ways") ("in all thy ways"), which implies protection within the bounds of God's will and obedient living, not for presumptuous acts.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Luke 4:10 is **Quotation**, specifically the devil's quotation of [Psalm 91:11](/psalm/91-11 "Psalm 91:11 - Angelic Protection"). However, this is not a straightforward quotation but a powerful example of **Misquotation** or **Distortion**, as the devil deliberately omits the crucial qualifying phrase "in all thy ways" from [Psalm 91:11](/psalm/91-11 "Psalm 91:11 - Angelic Protection") and entirely skips [Psalm 91:12](/psalm/91-12 "Psalm 91:12 - Bearing You Up"), which speaks of angels bearing one up "lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." By removing the context of walking in God's "ways" (i.e., obedience), the devil transforms a promise of providential care into an invitation for presumptuous testing. This highlights the **Irony** of the devil using God's own Word against Him, attempting to undermine faith through a twisted appeal to it. The entire interaction serves as a **Temptation Narrative**, showcasing the cunning and deceptive nature of evil, which often cloaks itself in spiritual language and appeals to legitimate desires (like divine protection) in illegitimate ways.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:10 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine protection and the proper use of Scripture. While God unequivocally promises to guard His faithful, this verse clarifies that such protection is not a license for reckless or presumptuous acts that test God's faithfulness. The devil's manipulation of [Psalm 91](/psalm/91 "Psalm 91 - God's Protection") underscores the critical importance of understanding the full counsel of God's Word, rather than isolating verses to support a predetermined agenda. True faith trusts God's sovereignty and timing, submitting to His will rather than demanding miraculous intervention for self-serving or prideful purposes. This temptation reveals that even the most sacred texts can be weaponized by spiritual adversaries if not handled with integrity and discernment.

* [Deuteronomy 6:16](/deuteronomy/6-16 "Deuteronomy 6:16 - Do Not Test the Lord Your God")
* [Matthew 4:5-7](/matthew/4-5-7 "Matthew 4:5-7 - Jesus' Temptation on the Temple")
* [1 Corinthians 10:9](/1_corinthians/10-9 "1 Corinthians 10:9 - Do Not Test Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 4:10 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating the complexities of faith and life. In an age where information is abundant and often decontextualized, the devil's tactic of misquoting Scripture remains a potent warning. We are called not merely to know verses but to understand their context, the broader narrative of redemption, and the character of God they reveal. This requires diligent study, humble submission to the Holy Spirit's guidance, and a community of discerning believers. Furthermore, this passage challenges us to examine our own motives when we seek God's intervention. Do we genuinely trust His wisdom and timing, or do we subtly attempt to manipulate Him, demanding a sign or a specific outcome? True faith is not about testing God, but about resting in His sovereign care, even when His ways are not our ways. It reminds us that while God is our protector, we are not to create unnecessary dangers or act recklessly, presuming upon His grace. Instead, we are to walk in obedience, trusting that His protection covers us in "all our ways" that align with His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the devil's misuse of Scripture in this passage challenge my own approach to reading and interpreting the Bible?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "test" God, rather than simply trusting His providence and timing?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my contextual understanding of Scripture and guard against spiritual deception?**
* **How does the truth of God's angelic protection, as understood in its proper context, bring me comfort and peace?**

### FAQ
**Why did the devil quote Scripture if he intended to deceive Jesus?**

Answer: The devil quoted Scripture precisely *because* he intended to deceive Jesus. By using the authoritative Word of God, he sought to lend credibility to his temptation, making it appear as if his challenge was divinely sanctioned or even a logical extension of God's promises. This tactic is a classic form of spiritual deception: twisting truth to promote falsehood. The devil knew Jesus honored the Scriptures, so he attempted to use them as a weapon, hoping to trick Jesus into presuming upon God's protection rather than trusting Him in obedience. This highlights the insidious nature of temptation, which often cloaks itself in spiritual language and appeals to legitimate desires (like divine protection) but with illegitimate motives or applications, as seen in [2 Corinthians 11:14](/2_corinthians/11-14 "2 Corinthians 11:14 - Satan Disguises Himself as an Angel of Light").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:10, though spoken by the deceiver, ultimately foreshadows and highlights the perfect obedience of Christ, which stands in stark contrast to the devil's manipulative intent. While the devil sought to tempt Jesus into a presumptuous act of self-glorification, Jesus' ultimate victory over temptation, not just here but throughout His life, culminates in His perfect submission to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross. The "charge" given to angels to "keep" Him, as quoted by the devil, finds its deepest fulfillment not in a miraculous rescue from a temple leap, but in the Father's providential care for His Son through suffering and death, leading to resurrection. Jesus did not need to test God; He perfectly trusted God. His refusal to demand a sign or to force God's hand demonstrates His profound faith and humility, setting the pattern for all who would follow Him. The true "keeping" of Jesus was not by avoiding the path of suffering, but by enduring it, knowing that the Father would ultimately raise Him up, fulfilling the greater promise of salvation for humanity (cf. [Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")). His steadfastness in the face of this temptation is a testament to His divine nature and His unwavering commitment to His mission as the obedient Son, who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")).

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

Psalms 91:11

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Psalms 91:12

They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Hebrews 1:14

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Luke 4:3

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

2 Corinthians 11:14

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Luke 4:8

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.