Luke 4:8
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
2 of 21
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 21
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 #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
6 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Ὑπαγε
Get thee
G5217
Ὑπαγε
Get thee
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
7 of 21
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
ὀπίσω
behind
G3694
ὀπίσω
behind
Strong's:
G3694
Word #:
8 of 21
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
Γέγραπται
it is written
G1125
Γέγραπται
it is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
11 of 21
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
προσκυνήσεις
Thou shalt worship
G4352
προσκυνήσεις
Thou shalt worship
Strong's:
G4352
Word #:
13 of 21
to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)
Κύριον
the Lord
G2962
Κύριον
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
14 of 21
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεόν
God
G2316
θεόν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
16 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 21
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
Cross References
Deuteronomy 6:13Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.Deuteronomy 10:20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.Matthew 4:10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.Revelation 19:10And 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.Psalms 83:18That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.Revelation 22:9Then 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.James 4:7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Isaiah 2:11The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.1 Samuel 7:3And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.Matthew 16:23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Historical Context
The temptation offered Jesus what He already possessed—dominion over all kingdoms (Psalm 2:8, Daniel 7:13-14). Satan presented a false shortcut: gain the kingdoms immediately through worship (compromise) rather than through the cross (suffering). This echoed Peter's later temptation in Matthew 16:22-23 when he rejected Jesus' prediction of suffering. Jesus' absolute refusal demonstrated commitment to God's redemptive plan, even when it meant agony. His quotation from Deuteronomy 6:13 applied the Shema's central truth—God alone deserves worship and service, no compromise permitted.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Satan's offer of kingdoms without the cross represent a temptation to gain rightful blessings through wrong means?
- What does Jesus' absolute refusal to compromise worship teach about the non-negotiable nature of exclusive allegiance to God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus responds to Satan's offer of earthly kingdoms: 'Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.' This quotes Deuteronomy 6:13, the first commandment's essence—exclusive worship and service belong to God alone. Satan offered kingdoms without the cross, tempting Jesus to gain His rightful rule through compromise rather than suffering. Jesus' rebuke shows absolute commitment to God's way, refusing shortcuts that bypass the Father's will. 'Him only shalt thou serve' (Greek 'monō latreuō,' μόνῳ λατρεύω) demands undivided allegiance.