Luke 4:13

KJV

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when the devil {G1228} had ended {G4931} all {G3956} the temptation {G3986}, he departed {G868} from {G575} him {G846} for {G891} a season {G2540}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the Adversary had ended all his testings, he let him alone until an opportune time.

Berean Standard Bible

When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

American Standard Version

And when the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him for a season.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:13 marks the conclusion of Jesus' forty-day period of intense temptation in the wilderness, where the devil subjected Him to a comprehensive series of trials. Following Jesus' unwavering resistance and victorious use of Scripture, the adversary is compelled to withdraw, though significantly, his departure is described as being "for a season," indicating a temporary retreat rather than a final defeat, foreshadowing future confrontations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the decisive conclusion to the pivotal narrative of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, immediately following His baptism and anointing by the Holy Spirit as recounted in [Luke 3:21-22](/luke/3-21-22 "Luke 3:21-22 - Jesus' Baptism"). After His baptism, Jesus is explicitly "led by the Spirit into the wilderness" ([Luke 4:1](/luke/4-1 "Luke 4:1 - Jesus Led by the Spirit")) to be tempted by the devil for forty days. The preceding verses ([Luke 4:3-12](/luke/4-3-12 "Luke 4:3-12 - The Three Temptations")) detail three specific, escalating temptations: the appeal to physical hunger (turning stones into bread), the lure of worldly power and glory (worshiping Satan for all the kingdoms of the world), and the test of divine protection and presumption (jumping from the temple pinnacle). In each instance, Jesus decisively counters the devil's propositions by quoting Scripture, demonstrating perfect obedience and reliance on God's Word, setting the stage for His public ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness (ἔρημος, _erēmos_) in biblical tradition is often a place of testing, purification, and divine encounter, recalling Israel's forty years in the wilderness ([Deuteronomy 8:2-3](/deuteronomy/8-2-3 "Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - God's Testing in the Wilderness")) and Elijah's forty-day journey ([1 Kings 19:8](/1_kings/19-8 "1 Kings 19:8 - Elijah's Journey to Horeb")). For a Jewish audience, the concept of a spiritual adversary, the "devil" or "Satan," was well-established, representing the embodiment of evil and opposition to God's will. The temptation account thus positions Jesus as the faithful Israelite and the new Adam, succeeding where the first Adam failed ([Romans 5:12-19](/romans/5-12-19 "Romans 5:12-19 - Adam and Christ Compared")), and where Israel often faltered, demonstrating His perfect obedience in the face of the ultimate spiritual foe.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 4:13 powerfully underscores several key themes central to Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Christ's Unblemished Victory and Sinlessness**, affirming His qualification as the perfect Lamb of God, fully human yet without sin, capable of being the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. His unwavering resistance to "all the temptation" proves His impeccable character and divine authority. Secondly, the phrase "for a season" introduces the theme of **The Devil's Persistent but Subordinate Nature**. It signals that while Jesus has achieved a decisive victory in this encounter, the spiritual warfare is not over; the devil's retreat is strategic and temporary, foreshadowing future attempts to hinder Jesus' ministry, particularly during His passion ([Luke 22:3](/luke/22-3 "Luke 22:3 - Satan Enters Judas") and [Luke 22:53](/luke/22-53 "Luke 22:53 - The Hour of Darkness")). Finally, the entire temptation narrative, culminating in this verse, powerfully demonstrates **The Supreme Authority and Power of God's Word**. Jesus' consistent use of "It is written..." ([Luke 4:4](/luke/4-4 "Luke 4:4 - Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone"), [Luke 4:8](/luke/4-8 "Luke 4:8 - Worship God Alone"), [Luke 4:12](/luke/4-12 "Luke 4:12 - Do Not Put the Lord to the Test")) to combat temptation serves as a foundational example for believers, emphasizing that victory over evil is secured through reliance on divine truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **devil (Greek, _diábolos'_):** From _diabállō_, meaning "to throw across," "to slander," or "to accuse." This term denotes a traducer, a false accuser, and is specifically used to refer to Satan. In this context, it emphasizes the devil's role as the malicious slanderer and adversary of God and humanity, actively seeking to undermine Jesus' mission through deceptive and tempting proposals.
* **temptation (Greek, _peirasmós'_):** From _peirázō_, meaning "to test," "to try," or "to prove." While it can refer to a trial intended for growth or proof of character, when associated with the devil, it unequivocally signifies an enticement to sin, a solicitation designed to cause moral failure and separation from God. The "all the temptation" indicates the comprehensive and exhaustive nature of the devil's assault.
* **season (Greek, _kairós'_):** Of uncertain affinity, this word refers to an opportune or set time, a proper or due season, or a specific period. It is distinct from _chronos_ (χρόνος), which denotes chronological time. The use of _kairós_ here is crucial, implying a divinely appointed or determined interval, underscoring that the devil's retreat was not a permanent surrender but a strategic withdrawal until another opportune moment for opposition arose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the devil had ended all the temptation":** This clause highlights the completion and comprehensive nature of the devil's assault. The Greek verb _synteléō_ (G4931, "had ended") signifies a bringing to a full conclusion or execution. It suggests that the devil had exhausted his repertoire of direct, frontal attacks against Jesus, having thrown "all" (G3956, _pâs_) his cunning and power into this concentrated period of temptation. Jesus' victory is therefore not partial but absolute over the devil's full onslaught.
* **"he departed from him":** This phrase indicates the devil's forced withdrawal. The verb _aphístēmi_ (G868, "departed") implies a removal or a drawing away. The devil's departure is a direct consequence of Jesus' steadfast resistance and His wielding of God's Word. It signifies a tactical retreat, acknowledging Jesus' immediate triumph in this spiritual battle.
* **"for a season":** This critical phrase, translating _áchri kairoú_ (G891, G2540), emphasizes the temporary nature of the devil's absence. It means "until a time" or "for a while," strongly implying that the devil would return at a suitable or opportune moment. This foreshadows continued spiritual opposition throughout Jesus' ministry, culminating in the "hour of darkness" leading to His crucifixion, which the devil would instigate.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 4:13, as the concluding statement of the temptation narrative, employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent in the phrase "for a season," which subtly yet clearly indicates that the devil's defeat is not final, but rather a temporary strategic retreat. This prepares the reader for future encounters between Jesus and the forces of evil, particularly the ultimate confrontation at the cross, often referred to as Satan's "hour" ([Luke 22:53](/luke/22-53 "Luke 22:53 - The Hour of Darkness")). The entire episode functions as **Symbolism**, with the wilderness representing a place of testing and spiritual battle, and Jesus' forty days echoing Israel's forty years of testing in the wilderness, positioning Him as the true and faithful Israel who perfectly obeys God where the nation often failed. There is also an implicit **Contrast** between Jesus' perfect obedience and Adam's disobedience in the Garden of Eden, establishing Jesus as the "Last Adam" who reverses the curse of sin through His faithfulness. Finally, the narrative serves as a **Paradigm** or **Exemplar**, providing a model for believers on how to resist temptation through reliance on God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:13 is profoundly significant, marking Jesus' decisive victory over the devil's comprehensive assault and validating His identity as the Son of God, fully prepared to embark on His public ministry. This triumph establishes His authority over the forces of evil and underscores His sinless perfection, a necessary qualification for His redemptive work. The temporary nature of the devil's retreat, however, teaches us that spiritual warfare is an ongoing reality in the life of Christ and, by extension, in the lives of His followers. It reveals the devil's relentless nature, always seeking an "opportune time" to tempt and accuse, yet always ultimately subject to God's sovereign control. This verse affirms that through Christ, victory over temptation is possible, not by human strength alone, but by reliance on God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus demonstrated.

* [Matthew 4:11](/matthew/4-11 "Matthew 4:11 - Angels Minister to Jesus")
* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")
* [James 4:7](/james/4-7 "James 4:7 - Resist the Devil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 4:13 offers profound and enduring lessons for every believer navigating the complexities of spiritual life. Jesus' experience reminds us that even the Son of God faced intense temptation, and His victory serves as both an encouragement and a model. We should not be surprised when we encounter trials and temptations, for the adversary is persistent and seeks opportune moments to attack. However, like Jesus, we are not left defenseless. Our victory is found in actively resisting the devil, not in our own strength, but by wielding the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" ([Ephesians 6:17](/ephesians/6-17 "Ephesians 6:17 - The Sword of the Spirit")). This requires diligent study and meditation on Scripture, allowing it to dwell richly within us, so that it becomes our immediate defense in moments of spiritual assault. Furthermore, Jesus' reliance on the Holy Spirit, who led Him into and sustained Him through the wilderness, underscores the vital role of the Spirit in empowering us to overcome sin and temptation. We are called to remain vigilant, sober, and prayerful, knowing that while the devil may retreat "for a season," he will return, and our steadfastness in Christ is our ultimate shield.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' perfect resistance to "all the temptation" encourage you in your own struggles with sin?**
* **In what "seasons" of your life might the devil be looking for an opportune moment to tempt you, and how can you prepare for such times?**
* **What specific scriptures can you commit to memory or meditate on to strengthen your resistance against common temptations you face?**
* **How does relying on the Holy Spirit empower you to stand firm against spiritual attacks, mirroring Jesus' example?**

### FAQ
**Why did the devil depart "for a season" and not permanently?**

Answer: The phrase "for a season" (Greek: _achri kairou_) is crucial because it indicates a temporary, strategic retreat by the devil, not a final surrender. It signifies that while Jesus won this particular battle, the spiritual war was far from over. The devil, as the persistent adversary, would continue to seek "opportune times" (_kairoi_) to tempt and oppose Jesus throughout His ministry. This foreshadows later attempts, such as influencing Judas Iscariot ([Luke 22:3](/luke/22-3 "Luke 22:3 - Satan Enters Judas")) and seeking to "sift" Peter ([Luke 22:31](/luke/22-31 "Luke 22:31 - Satan Desires to Sift Peter")), culminating in the "hour of darkness" at Jesus' passion ([Luke 22:53](/luke/22-53 "Luke 22:53 - The Hour of Darkness")), which was the devil's perceived opportune moment. It underscores the ongoing reality of spiritual warfare until Christ's ultimate and final victory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:13 is a pivotal moment that profoundly points to Christ's unique identity and redemptive work. Jesus' perfect victory over "all the temptation" in the wilderness establishes Him as the sinless Lamb of God, the only one qualified to bear the sins of the world. Unlike Adam, who succumbed to temptation in a garden of plenty ([Genesis 3:6](/genesis/3-6 "Genesis 3:6 - Adam and Eve's Disobedience")), Jesus, the "Last Adam" ([1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The Last Adam")), triumphs in the desolate wilderness, demonstrating His perfect obedience and unwavering faithfulness to God's Word. This victory is not merely a personal triumph but a foundational act for humanity's salvation, as He perfectly fulfills the righteousness that we cannot attain ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of the One")). Furthermore, the devil's temporary retreat "for a season" foreshadows the ultimate confrontation at the cross, where Christ, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, would decisively "destroy the works of the devil" ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Devil's Works")) and disarm the powers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Thus, Luke 4:13 is a powerful declaration that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the victorious King who has conquered sin, death, and the devil, securing eternal freedom for all who believe in Him ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Frees from Fear of Death")).

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

John 14:30

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

Matthew 4:11

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.