Luke 4:6

KJV

And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the devil {G1228} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, All {G537} this {G5026} power {G1849} will I give {G1325} thee {G4671}, and {G2532} the glory {G1391} of them {G846}: for {G3754} that is delivered {G3860} unto me {G1698}; and {G2532} to {G3739} whomsoever {G1437} I will {G2309} I give {G1325} it {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said to him, "I will give you all this power and glory. It has been handed over to me, and I can give it to whomever I choose.

Berean Standard Bible

“I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.

American Standard Version

And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 4:6 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, where the devil directly offers Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. This audacious proposition reveals the devil's self-proclaimed authority over earthly power, asserting that it has been "delivered" to him and that he can bestow it upon whomever he chooses. It represents a profound spiritual challenge, tempting Jesus with a shortcut to dominion that bypasses the path of suffering and obedience to God's will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the second of three temptations Jesus faces in the wilderness, immediately following His baptism and anointing by the Holy Spirit (cf. [Luke 3:21-22](/luke/3-21-22 "Luke 3:21-22 - Jesus' Baptism and the Holy Spirit's Descent")). After forty days of fasting, Jesus is physically vulnerable, but the devil shifts from a temptation of physical needs ([Luke 4:3-4](/luke/4-3-4 "Luke 4:3-4 - The First Temptation: Bread")) to one of power and glory. This temptation is paralleled in [Matthew 4:8-9](/matthew/4-8-9 "Matthew 4:8-9 - The Temptation of Worldly Kingdoms"), highlighting its significance in the Synoptic accounts of Jesus' early ministry. The devil's offer is a direct challenge to Jesus' identity as the Messiah, proposing a worldly kingship instead of the spiritual kingdom established through the cross.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "kingdoms of the world" would have resonated deeply with a Jewish audience awaiting a Messiah who would overthrow Roman oppression and establish an earthly kingdom. Many expected a political and military leader, not a suffering servant. The devil's offer taps into this expectation, presenting a path to immediate, visible power and glory, mirroring the imperial ambitions of the Roman Empire and other historical empires. The wilderness itself, a place of testing in Israel's history (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - God's Testing in the Wilderness")), serves as a symbolic arena for this cosmic battle, setting the stage for Jesus' public ministry and His ultimate confrontation with the powers of darkness.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 4:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **nature of temptation** as a subtle, often appealing, deviation from God's will, offering immediate gratification or power in exchange for true obedience. It highlights the **devil's claimed, yet limited, authority** over the "kingdoms of the world," which, though significant due to humanity's fall, is ultimately subordinate to divine sovereignty. This verse also sets up a stark **contrast between worldly power and divine authority**, demonstrating that true power comes through submission to God, not through compromise with evil. Furthermore, it foreshadows Jesus' ultimate victory over these very powers, as seen in His later ministry and particularly in His triumph on the cross and resurrection, which definitively disarms the "rulers and authorities" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **devil (Greek, _diábolos'_):** From _diabállō_, meaning "to slander" or "to accuse." This term describes a traducer, specifically referring to Satan. In this context, it emphasizes his role as the adversary and accuser, attempting to lead Jesus astray through deceptive promises.
* **power (Greek, _exousía'_):** This word denotes authority, jurisdiction, or the right to act. It is not merely brute force but legitimate-seeming influence and control. The devil is offering Jesus a share in his claimed dominion, implying a shortcut to the kind of authority that governs nations and systems.
* **glory (Greek, _dóxa'_):** This term refers to splendor, honor, renown, or reputation. The devil's offer includes the outward show and recognition that comes with worldly rule, appealing to the human desire for acclaim and visible success.
* **delivered (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** From _pará_ and _dídōmi_, meaning "to surrender," "yield up," or "intrust." The devil's claim that this authority was "delivered" to him suggests a transfer or concession of power, perhaps stemming from humanity's submission to sin in the Fall (cf. [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity")). While the devil certainly wields influence as the "prince of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - The Prince of This World")), his assertion of absolute and legitimate ownership is a deceptive twisting of truth, as ultimate sovereignty remains with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them:"** This opening clause sets the scene for the devil's audacious proposition. Having failed to tempt Jesus through hunger, the devil now targets Jesus' messianic identity, offering a path to immediate dominion over "all the kingdoms of the world" (as seen in the broader context of [Luke 4:5](/luke/4-5 "Luke 4:5 - The Devil Shows Jesus the Kingdoms")). The "power" (_exousía_) and "glory" (_dóxa_) represent the visible, earthly splendor and authority associated with kingship and empire. The devil presents this as his to give, a direct challenge to God's ultimate sovereignty.
* **"for that is delivered unto me;"** This is the devil's justification for his offer. He claims that the authority over these earthly kingdoms has been "delivered" or "handed over" to him. This statement, while containing a kernel of twisted truth regarding humanity's fallen state and his temporary influence as the "god of this world" ([2 Corinthians 4:4](/2_corinthians/4-4 "2 Corinthians 4:4 - The God of This World")), is ultimately a lie in its implication of legitimate, absolute ownership. The devil usurped this authority through deception and humanity's sin, but it was never truly his to possess or bestow in a way that could circumvent God's ultimate plan.
* **"and to whomsoever I will I give it."** This final clause underscores the devil's self-proclaimed autonomy and control over this "delivered" power. He asserts his prerogative to freely distribute this worldly dominion according to his own will. This highlights the nature of his temptation: a seemingly generous offer that demands allegiance and submission to him, bypassing God's ordained path of suffering and obedience for the true King.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Personification** is evident in the devil's direct speech and active proposition, giving a tangible voice to the force of evil. There is a strong element of **Irony** in the devil's offer, as he attempts to give away what is not truly his to legitimately own or bestow in the ultimate sense; ultimate sovereignty belongs to God alone. The devil's claim to "all this power" and "the glory of them" can be seen as **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration designed to impress and overwhelm, masking the limited and temporary nature of his dominion. Finally, the verse sets up a dramatic **Contrast** between the fleeting, corruptible power offered by the devil and the eternal, righteous authority that Jesus is destined to receive through His obedience to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:6 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of evil, divine sovereignty, and the cosmic conflict between God's kingdom and the forces of darkness. While the devil asserts a claim to worldly dominion, this verse ultimately highlights the temporary and usurped nature of his authority. God remains sovereign over all creation, and the devil's influence is permitted only within divine boundaries. Jesus' refusal of this offer underscores His unwavering commitment to God's ultimate plan, which involves establishing a spiritual kingdom through sacrifice, not through worldly compromise. This temptation foreshadows the ongoing spiritual battle believers face, where the allure of worldly power, recognition, and shortcuts to success often come with the hidden cost of allegiance to forces contrary to God's will.

* [John 12:31](/john/12-31 "The Judgment of the Prince of This World")
* [2 Corinthians 4:4](/2_corinthians/4-4 "The God of This World")
* [1 John 5:19](/1_john/5-19 "The World Lies in the Power of the Evil One")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 4:6 offers a timeless lesson on the nature of temptation and the importance of discerning the source of opportunities and desires. The devil's strategy remains consistent: he offers what seems desirable—power, glory, success—but always with a hidden cost: compromise of faith, allegiance to ungodly systems, or bypassing God's ordained path. For believers today, this means recognizing that shortcuts to success, wealth, or influence that demand moral or spiritual compromise are often thinly veiled temptations from the adversary. We are called to cultivate discernment, relying on the Holy Spirit to expose the true nature of such offers. Like Jesus, our allegiance must be solely to God, trusting that His path, though it may involve suffering or delay, ultimately leads to true and lasting authority and glory. Resisting the allure of worldly systems requires a steadfast commitment to God's Word and a willingness to reject anything that demands bowing down to another authority.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "power" or "glory" does the world offer you that might tempt you to compromise your faith or values?**
* **How can you discern whether an opportunity is from God or a subtle temptation from the adversary?**
* **In what areas of your life are you most tempted to take a "shortcut" rather than follow God's patient and sometimes difficult path?**
* **How does Jesus' unwavering commitment to God's will in this temptation encourage you in your own spiritual battles?**

### FAQ

**Did the devil truly have the authority to give away the kingdoms of the world?**
Answer: The devil's claim in [Luke 4:6](/luke/4-6 "Luke 4:6 - The Devil's Claimed Authority") that "all this power...is delivered unto me" contains a twisted truth. Due to humanity's fall in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity"), sin entered the world, and the devil gained significant, though temporary and usurped, influence over earthly systems and nations. He is indeed referred to as the "prince of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - The Prince of This World"), [John 14:30](/john/14-30 "John 14:30 - The Prince of This World Has No Claim")) and the "god of this world" ([2 Corinthians 4:4](/2_corinthians/4-4 "2 Corinthians 4:4 - The God of This World")). However, his authority is never absolute or legitimate in the ultimate sense. God remains sovereign over all creation ([Psalm 103:19](/psalms/103-19 "Psalm 103:19 - God's Sovereignty")), and the devil's power is always limited by divine permission ([Job 1:12](/job/1-12 "Job 1:12 - Satan's Limited Power")). Jesus' refusal to bow down confirms that the devil's offer, while seemingly powerful, was a deceptive attempt to divert Him from God's true plan.

**Why did Jesus not simply expose the devil's lie about his authority immediately?**
Answer: Jesus' response to the devil throughout the temptation narrative is primarily rooted in Scripture, demonstrating perfect obedience to God's Word. While the devil's claim to absolute authority was indeed a lie, Jesus' immediate focus was not to engage in a theological debate about the extent of the devil's power but to affirm God's ultimate sovereignty and His own unwavering allegiance to Him. By quoting [Deuteronomy 6:13](/deuteronomy/6-13 "Deuteronomy 6:13 - Worship the Lord Your God Only") in [Luke 4:8](/luke/4-8 "Luke 4:8 - Jesus' Response to the Temptation of Power"), Jesus directly refutes the devil's demand for worship, thereby implicitly denying the legitimacy of his claimed authority and asserting that only God is worthy of worship and ultimate allegiance. This strategic response focused on the core issue of worship and obedience, rather than a detailed exposition of the devil's limited power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:6, with the devil's audacious offer of worldly dominion, sets the stage for the profound Christ-centered fulfillment found in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Jesus' steadfast refusal to accept a shortcut to power, which would have required bowing to the adversary, foreshadows His ultimate victory over the very powers the devil claimed to wield. Instead of earthly kingdoms gained through compromise, Jesus established a spiritual kingdom through obedience, suffering, and sacrifice. His triumph on the cross disarmed the "rulers and authorities" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")) and stripped the devil of his power over death ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). The true and legitimate "all authority in heaven and on earth" was given to Jesus *after* His resurrection, not by bowing to the devil, but by His perfect obedience to the Father ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). Thus, the kingdoms of this world will ultimately become "the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ" ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Seventh Trumpet")), not through the devil's concession, but through Christ's sovereign reign and final triumph.

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 12:31

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

John 14:30

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

Ephesians 2:2

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

1 John 5:19

[And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Revelation 20:2

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Revelation 20:3

And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Revelation 13:2

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.