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.

LUKE 4:8KJV
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Luke 4:8 (KJV)

What does Luke 4:8 mean?

Luke 4:8 shows Jesus firmly rejecting the devil’s temptation by quoting Scripture, declaring that only God should be worshiped and served. Jesus tells Satan to leave, making it clear that loyalty and devotion belong to God alone.

In this scene, Jesus is being tempted by the devil in the wilderness. The devil has just offered Jesus authority over all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will worship him. Jesus responds by addressing Satan directly, referencing what is written in the Scriptures, and insists that worship and service are due to the Lord God only, not to anyone or anything else.

The Greek behind Luke 4:8

  • Σατανᾶ (Satan, transliteration: Satanas): This is the Greek form of the Hebrew word for "adversary" or "accuser," used here as a direct address to the devil, showing Jesus recognizes the true nature of the tempter.
  • προσκυνήσεις (proskynēseis): This Greek word means "you shall worship" and often carries the sense of bowing down or showing reverence. Jesus uses it to emphasize that such honor is reserved for God.
  • λατρεύσεις (latreuseis): This word means "you shall serve" and refers to religious service or devotion. The pairing with "worship" underlines that both outward acts and inward devotion belong to God alone.
  • μόνον (monon): This means "only," stressing exclusivity. Jesus is not just saying God is worthy of worship, but that no one else should ever receive it.

Why Luke 4:8 matters

  • Luke 4:8 clarifies that Jesus does not negotiate or compromise with evil, but stands on the authority of Scripture when facing temptation.
  • The verse highlights the exclusive devotion God requires, pushing back against any idea that worship or service can be divided.
  • By quoting Scripture, Jesus models how to respond to temptation, showing that knowing and relying on God’s word is central to faithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“serve” Greek G3000 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 4:10 Then 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.
  • Acts 26:7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
  • Hebrews 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

“Satan” Greek G4567 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 4:10 Then 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.
  • Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

“behind” Greek G3694 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • Mark 13:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
  • John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

“only” Greek G3441 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?