Luke 4:6

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.

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}.

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.

“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.

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

Luke 4:6 is a pivotal verse in the account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, revealing the devil's strategy and the nature of his claimed authority. This verse captures the devil's direct offer of worldly dominion to Jesus, a shortcut to power without the suffering of the cross.

Context

This verse is part of the second temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, following His baptism and anointing by the Holy Spirit. For forty days, Jesus had been fasting and was vulnerable to the devil's schemes. The devil, having failed to tempt Jesus through physical hunger, now shifts to a temptation of power and glory. This is paralleled in Matthew 4:8-9, where the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of Temptation: The devil often tempts by offering immediate gratification, worldly power, or a path that bypasses God's ordained process. Here, he offers power and glory without the cross.
  • The Devil's Claimed Authority: The devil asserts that all worldly power and glory have been "delivered unto me," implying a significant, albeit temporary, dominion over earthly kingdoms due to humanity's fall. He then claims the right to bestow this power on whomever he chooses.
  • Worldly Power vs. Divine Sovereignty: This verse highlights the stark contrast between the fleeting glory offered by the world's systems (under the devil's influence) and the eternal, righteous authority that belongs solely to God. Jesus' refusal demonstrates His commitment to God's ultimate sovereignty.
  • Deception and Lies: While the devil does hold significant influence as the "prince of this world," his claim to absolute and legitimate ownership of all power and glory is a twisted truth, designed to ensnare.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Power" (Greek: exousia): This term denotes authority, jurisdiction, or the right to act. The devil is offering legitimate-seeming power, not just brute force.
  • "Glory" (Greek: doxa): This refers to splendor, honor, renown, or reputation. The devil is offering the outward show and recognition that comes with worldly rule.
  • "Delivered unto me" (Greek: paradedomai): This verb implies a handing over or betrayal. The devil's claim that this authority was "delivered" to him suggests a temporary concession or usurpation, perhaps stemming from humanity's submission to sin. However, it's crucial to remember that ultimate sovereignty always rests with God, even if the devil has been granted limited influence as the "prince of this world" (John 12:31) or the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Practical Application

Luke 4:6 serves as a powerful reminder of the nature of spiritual warfare and the temptations we face today. The devil continues to offer shortcuts to success, wealth, or influence, appealing to our desires for power and recognition. These offers often come with the implicit condition of compromising our faith or allegiance to God.

  • Discernment: We must be discerning about the source of opportunities and avoid paths that require moral or spiritual compromise. True blessing and authority come from God, not from bowing to worldly systems.
  • Resisting Temptation: Like Jesus, we are called to resist the allure of worldly power and glory that comes through ungodly means. Jesus' subsequent refusal, detailed in Luke 4:8, underscores His unwavering commitment to God's will and reliance on Scripture.
  • Ultimate Authority: This verse reinforces that while evil has temporary sway, ultimate authority and dominion belong to God alone. Our allegiance must always be to Him, not to the passing glories of this world.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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