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 4:8KJVWhat 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.