4:9 4:9

Luke 4:10

4:11 4:11

Bible Versions

For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
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}:
For the Tanakh says, `He will order his angels to be responsible for you and to protect you.
For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You carefully;
for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee:

Luke 4:10 is a pivotal verse found in the narrative of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, specifically during the second of three major temptations presented by the devil. It highlights the cunning nature of spiritual warfare and the critical importance of rightly understanding and applying God's Word.

Context of Luke 4:10

This verse records the devil's attempt to tempt Jesus to prove His divine Sonship by casting Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem. The devil strategically quotes Psalm 91:11, which promises divine protection and angelic guardianship. The implication was that if Jesus were truly the Son of God, He would be miraculously preserved. However, the devil's quotation is manipulative, omitting the critical next verse in the Psalm (Psalm 91:12) and taking the promise out of its intended context. Jesus' profound counter-response in Luke 4:12 exposes the devil's deception and clarifies the difference between faith and presumption.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Misuse and Misinterpretation of Scripture: The devil's selective quotation demonstrates how even God's Word can be twisted and misused to tempt or deceive. This emphasizes the need for careful, contextual understanding of the Bible, rather than isolating verses to support a predetermined agenda.
  • Divine Protection vs. Presumption: While God indeed promises to protect His faithful (as seen in Psalm 34:7), this protection is not an invitation to recklessly test God's faithfulness or to demand miraculous intervention for self-serving purposes. True faith trusts God's sovereignty without putting Him to a needless test.
  • The Nature of Temptation: This encounter reveals the insidious nature of temptation, which often involves subtle distortions of truth and appeals to pride or self-preservation. The devil attempts to lure Jesus into an act of self-glorification disguised as an act of faith.
  • Angelic Ministry: The verse affirms the reality of God's angelic ministry, where angels are given "charge" or commission to watch over and protect God's people. This protection, however, operates within the bounds of God's will and purpose, not as a blanket guarantee for presumptuous actions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "For it is written" translates the Greek gegraptai, a perfect passive indicative verb. This form signifies that something was written in the past and remains authoritative, underscoring the enduring power and truth of God's Word. The term "charge" (Greek: enteleitai) indicates a command or commission, highlighting that angels act under divine instruction and authority.

Practical Application

Luke 4:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers:

  • Study Scripture Diligently: To discern truth from deception, we must immerse ourselves in God's Word, understanding its context and the overall message of the Bible. This helps us recognize when verses are being taken out of context or misused.
  • Trust God Without Testing Him: Faith is about trusting God's wisdom and timing, not about creating situations to force His hand. We are called to rely on His protection in our daily walk, not to presume upon it through reckless or prideful acts.
  • Be Aware of Spiritual Deception: The enemy continues to use subtle tactics, often cloaked in spiritual language, to tempt and mislead. Discernment, rooted in a deep knowledge of God and His Word, is essential to stand firm against such schemes.
  • Rest in God's Care: While we avoid presumption, we can find comfort in the truth that God does care for His people and deploys His angels to minister on their behalf, according to His perfect will.
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.
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