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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτήν·
it
G846
αὐτήν·
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δίδωμι
I give
G1325
δίδωμι
I give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
7 of 24
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξουσίαν
power
G1849
ἐξουσίαν
power
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
9 of 24
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
ταύτην
G3778
ταύτην
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
10 of 24
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξαν
the glory
G1391
δόξαν
the glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
14 of 24
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
αὐτήν·
it
G846
αὐτήν·
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 24
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
παραδέδοται
that is delivered
G3860
παραδέδοται
that is delivered
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
18 of 24
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ᾧ
to
G3739
ᾧ
to
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
20 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
whomsoever
G1437
ἐὰν
whomsoever
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
21 of 24
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
θέλω
I will
G2309
θέλω
I will
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
22 of 24
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
Cross References
Ephesians 2:2Wherein 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:John 14:30Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.1 John 5:19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.John 12:31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.Revelation 13:7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.Revelation 13:2And 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.Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.2 Corinthians 11:14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Historical Context
Roman occupation of Judea made messianic expectations intensely political. Most first-century Jews anticipated a military-political Messiah who would liberate Israel from foreign domination and establish God's kingdom with Jerusalem as its capital. The Zealot movement advocated armed rebellion. Satan's offer plays directly into these expectations—immediate political power without the scandal of a crucified Messiah. The Dead Sea Scrolls reveal expectations of a conquering 'Son of God' who would judge the nations. Jesus's rejection of earthly power in favor of the cross would prove a 'stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles' (1 Corinthians 1:23). His kingdom is 'not of this world' (John 18:36), obtained not through Satan's gift but through redemptive suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- How should Christians understand Satan's real but limited authority over fallen creation?
- What does Christ's rejection of political power teach about the nature of His kingdom?
- In what ways do we try to claim God's promises without submitting to God's appointed means?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Satan's claim 'to whomsoever I will I give it' asserts authority over earthly kingdoms, a claim Jesus does not dispute. Scripture affirms Satan's current but temporary dominion as 'prince of this world' (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11). First John 5:19 states 'the whole world lieth in wickedness'—literally 'in the evil one.' Yet Reformed theology maintains God's ultimate sovereignty; Satan operates only by divine permission (Job 1-2). Satan offers Jesus what is already Christ's by right—Psalm 2:8 promises the Father will give the Son 'the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.' The temptation is to grasp immediately what God has promised to give through appointed means. Philippians 2:6-11 contrasts Satan's usurpation with Christ's humble obedience: Jesus did not grasp at equality with God but humbled Himself, therefore God highly exalted Him.