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.
Luke 4:6 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the devil is tempting Jesus by offering him power and glory over all the kingdoms of the world. This temptation highlights the struggle between good and evil, as the devil uses his authority over the world to try and manipulate Jesus. The devil claims to have control and ownership of the kingdoms, suggesting that he holds a level of power in this world. However, Jesus ultimately rejects this temptation, affirming his commitment to God's will and divine purpose. This verse serves as a reminder that the devil may offer worldly power and glory, but true greatness comes from following God and staying faithful to his teachings. By resisting the devil's temptation, Jesus sets an example for all believers on how to stay committed to their faith even in the face of adversity.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the devil is tempting Jesus by offering him power and glory over all the kingdoms of the world. The devil claims that the authority over these kingdoms has been delivered to him and he can give it to whomever he pleases. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the deceptive nature of the devil, who is often seen as the prince of this world in opposition to God. It showcases the struggles faced by Jesus during his time of temptation in the desert, where he resisted the allure of earthly power and chose to remain faithful to God despite the tempting offer. This verse underscores the importance of staying steadfast in one's faith and not succumbing to the temptations of power and glory that the world may offer. It serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil and the need to rely on God's strength to overcome such temptations.
Luke 4:6 in other translations
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.
World English Bible
The devil said to him, “I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want.
Douay-Rheims
And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power and the glory of them. For to me they are delivered: and to whom I will, I give them.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the deuill saide vnto him, All this power will I giue thee, and the glory of those kingdomes: for that is deliuered to mee: and to whomsoeuer I will, I giue it.