Matthew 4:9

KJV

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, All {G3956} these things {G5023} will I give {G1325} thee {G4671}, if {G1437} thou wilt fall down {G4098} and worship {G4352} me {G3427}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said to him, "All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me."

Berean Standard Bible

“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”

American Standard Version

and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 4:9 presents the climactic third temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, where Satan, having failed to sway Jesus through physical need or spiritual presumption, makes his most audacious and direct demand. Displaying all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, the adversary offers Jesus immediate universal dominion, but only on the condition of receiving worship and allegiance, thereby revealing his ultimate aim to usurp the rightful place of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of Jesus' forty-day fast and temptation in the wilderness, immediately following His baptism and the affirmation of His divine Sonship by the Father and the Holy Spirit (as seen in [Matthew 3:16-17](/matthew/3-16-17 "Matthew 3:16-17 - Jesus' Baptism")). The narrative in [Matthew 4](/matthew/4 "Matthew 4 - The Temptation of Jesus") systematically builds, with Satan first tempting Jesus to satisfy physical hunger by turning stones into bread ([Matthew 4:3](/matthew/4-3 "Matthew 4:3 - First Temptation")), then to presumptuously test God's protection by leaping from the temple pinnacle ([Matthew 4:5-6](/matthew/4-5-6 "Matthew 4:5-6 - Second Temptation")). The third temptation, detailed in [Matthew 4:8-9](/matthew/4-8-9 "Matthew 4:8-9 - Third Temptation"), escalates dramatically, moving from personal needs and spiritual pride to a direct challenge of ultimate allegiance and sovereignty, setting the stage for Jesus' definitive declaration of exclusive worship to God in [Matthew 4:10](/matthew/4-10 "Matthew 4:10 - Jesus Rebukes Satan").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness setting evokes the forty years of Israel's wandering and testing in the desert, drawing a parallel between the nation's failures and Jesus' perfect obedience. The concept of "kingdoms of the world" would have resonated strongly in a Roman-occupied Judea, where the desire for liberation and a powerful messianic king was fervent. The offer of "glory" (δόξα, _doxa_) would have been understood as worldly splendor, power, and renown, highly valued in ancient societies. The act of "worship" (προσκυνέω, _proskynéō_) involved prostration or bowing down, a gesture of profound reverence and submission, commonly offered to deities or powerful rulers. Satan's demand was a direct challenge to the monotheistic core of Jewish faith, which reserved such worship exclusively for Yahweh, as articulated in the [Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4-5 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema") and the [Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment").
* **Key Themes:** This pivotal encounter in [Matthew 4](/matthew/4 "Matthew 4 - The Temptation of Jesus") underscores several profound theological themes. Firstly, it highlights **The Nature of Temptation**, revealing Satan's ultimate strategy: to divert worship and allegiance from God to himself, often through the allure of power, glory, and shortcuts to legitimate ends. Secondly, it emphasizes **The Sovereignty of God vs. Worldly Dominion**, challenging the notion that worldly power can be obtained or wielded apart from God's righteous will, or that it can ever be a substitute for divine authority. Satan's claim to "give" these kingdoms ([Matthew 4:9](/matthew/4-9 "Matthew 4:9 - Satan's Offer")) is a lie, as true dominion belongs to God alone ([Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")). Finally, and most crucially, it powerfully affirms the **Exclusivity of Divine Worship**. Jesus' unwavering refusal to worship anyone but God ([Matthew 4:10](/matthew/4-10 "Matthew 4:10 - Jesus' Response")) reaffirms the foundational biblical truth that ultimate adoration, allegiance, and submission are due to God alone, distinguishing true faith from idolatry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **give (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb signifies a bestowal, a handing over, or a granting. In this context, Satan claims the power to "give" all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus. However, this offer is deceptive; Satan, as a created being, does not possess ultimate authority or ownership over God's creation. His "giving" is contingent on Jesus' illicit act of worship, revealing a counterfeit authority that seeks to usurp divine prerogative.
* **fall down (Greek, _píptō'_):** This term denotes a physical act of prostration, to fall or light upon. It describes the posture of humility, submission, or reverence. Before the demand for worship, Satan requires this physical act, indicating a complete and visible surrender of will and position. It is the outward manifestation of the inward allegiance he seeks to commandeer.
* **worship (Greek, _proskynéō'_):** Derived from words meaning "to fawn or crouch to," this verb signifies to prostrate oneself in homage, to do reverence to, or to adore. It is the highest form of respect and devotion, reserved exclusively for God in the biblical tradition. Satan's demand for _proskynéō_ reveals his true ambition: to be acknowledged as supreme, receiving the adoration and allegiance that rightfully belong only to the Creator.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And saith unto him":** This phrase emphasizes the direct, personal nature of Satan's final temptation. It is a one-on-one confrontation, a direct challenge to Jesus' identity as the Son of God and His mission. The simplicity of the address belies the profound spiritual battle taking place.
* **"All these things will I give thee":** This is Satan's audacious offer. After showing Jesus "all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them" in the preceding verse ([Matthew 4:8](/matthew/4-8 "Matthew 4:8 - The Vision of Kingdoms")), he now claims the authority to bestow them. This promise is a temptation to bypass the path of suffering and the cross, offering an immediate, worldly path to power and dominion, a shortcut to the very kingship Jesus was destined to inherit, but on Satan's terms.
* **"if thou wilt fall down and worship me":** This is the explicit condition and the ultimate, blasphemous demand. Satan's true objective is laid bare: he desires to usurp God's rightful place and receive the adoration due only to the Creator. The "if" clause highlights the conditional nature of the offer, making it clear that the worldly glory is merely bait for the true prize—Jesus' allegiance and worship. This reveals the core of all temptation: a call to divert one's ultimate loyalty from God.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 4:9 employs several powerful literary devices. The verse functions as a **Climax** in the temptation narrative, representing Satan's most direct and audacious assault on Jesus' allegiance, escalating from physical needs to spiritual pride, and finally to a demand for ultimate worship. There is profound **Irony** in Satan's offer; he promises "all these things" (the kingdoms of the world), yet true dominion belongs to God, not to the adversary. Satan, as the "prince of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - Prince of This World")), holds a temporary, delegated authority, not ultimate ownership. His offer is a deceptive illusion of power. Furthermore, the "kingdoms of the world and their glory" serve as **Symbolism**, representing the allure of temporal power, human achievement, and worldly recognition that often competes with devotion to God. The act of "worship" itself is symbolic of ultimate allegiance and submission, underscoring the spiritual battle for the soul's deepest loyalty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 4:9 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of spiritual warfare, the sovereignty of God, and the exclusive nature of true worship. Satan's demand for worship reveals the core of his rebellion and his ongoing attempt to usurp God's authority. He offers a counterfeit kingdom, a shortcut to power and glory, in exchange for the ultimate act of betrayal—diverting worship from the Creator to a created being. This temptation underscores that idolatry, in its essence, is the misdirection of worship and allegiance, placing anything or anyone in the rightful place of God. Jesus' steadfast refusal, rooted in His perfect obedience and understanding of God's unique sovereignty, serves as the definitive model for all believers, affirming that only God is worthy of absolute devotion and adoration. This encounter sets the stage for Jesus' entire ministry, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to God's will, even when faced with the most enticing worldly alternatives.

* [Deuteronomy 6:13](/deuteronomy/6-13 "Deuteronomy 6:13 - Fear the Lord Your God")
* [Luke 4:8](/luke/4-8 "Luke 4:8 - Jesus' Rejection of Satan's Offer")
* [Revelation 19:10](/revelation/19-10 "Revelation 19:10 - Worship God Alone")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 4:9 serves as a timeless mirror for the human heart, revealing the subtle and overt ways in which we are tempted to compromise our allegiance to God for worldly gain. Like Jesus, we are often presented with "shortcuts" to success, comfort, or influence that promise immediate gratification but demand a hidden cost: a diversion of our ultimate loyalty. These temptations might not be as dramatic as global kingdoms, but they manifest in the allure of career advancement at the expense of integrity, financial security that leads to covetousness, or social acceptance that requires spiritual compromise. This verse calls us to critically examine what truly holds the highest place in our hearts and lives. Are we willing to "fall down and worship" anything or anyone other than God for perceived benefits? Our worship, expressed not just in song but in our choices, priorities, and ultimate devotion, belongs solely to the One who created us and redeemed us. Jesus' example teaches us that true victory lies not in acquiring worldly power through illicit means, but in unwavering faithfulness to God, even when the path is difficult.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "kingdoms" or forms of "glory" in my life tempt me to compromise my devotion to God?**
* **In what subtle ways might I be tempted to "fall down and worship" something other than God for perceived gain or ease?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of exclusive worship for God in my daily decisions and priorities?**
* **What specific steps can I take to discern and resist the "shortcuts" that promise worldly benefits but demand spiritual compromise?**

### FAQ
**Did Satan truly have the authority to give away the kingdoms of the world?**

Answer: While Satan is called the "prince of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - Prince of This World"); [John 14:30](/john/14-30 "John 14:30 - Prince of This World Has No Claim"); [John 16:11](/john/16-11 "John 16:11 - Prince of This World Judged")) and the "god of this age" ([2 Corinthians 4:4](/2_corinthians/4-4 "2 Corinthians 4:4 - God of This Age")), his authority is temporary and delegated, not ultimate. The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord ([Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")). Satan's claim to bestow all kingdoms was a deceptive overreach, a lie designed to entice Jesus. He offers what he does not rightfully own in perpetuity, seeking to lure Jesus into an act of rebellion against the true Sovereign. Jesus' refusal implicitly rejects Satan's false claim to ultimate dominion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 4:9, though a scene of temptation, powerfully foreshadows Jesus' ultimate triumph and His true Christ-centered fulfillment. Satan's offer of worldly kingdoms was a deceptive shortcut, aiming to bypass the suffering of the cross and the divine plan for redemption. By refusing to "fall down and worship" the adversary, Jesus decisively rejected a kingdom built on compromise and illicit power. Instead, He chose the path of perfect obedience, humility, and self-sacrifice, which ultimately led to His crucifixion and resurrection. This act of unwavering faithfulness secured for Him a kingdom far greater and more enduring than any earthly dominion Satan could offer. Through His suffering and resurrection, Jesus truly conquered the "prince of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - Prince of This World")) and was given "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). The very worship Satan demanded for himself is now rightfully and eternally given to Jesus, who, having humbled Himself, was "highly exalted and given the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Thus, Jesus' victory in the wilderness ensures that the true, eternal kingdom belongs to God, established through His perfect obedience and redemptive work, and He alone is worthy of all worship and adoration.

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

2 Corinthians 4:4

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Daniel 5:18

O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:

Daniel 5:19

And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.

Revelation 22:8

And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

Revelation 22:9

Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Revelation 19:10

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

John 16:11

Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.