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.

MATTHEW 4:10KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 4:10 (KJV)

What does Matthew 4:10 mean?

Matthew 4:10 shows Jesus firmly rejecting Satan’s temptation by commanding him to leave and quoting Scripture that only God deserves worship and service. Jesus makes it clear that loyalty and devotion belong to God alone, not to anyone or anything else.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to Satan during the final temptation in the wilderness. Satan has just offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would worship him. Jesus responds by citing what is written in Scripture, emphasizing that worship and service are due to the Lord God alone. This statement draws a clear line about who should receive ultimate honor and allegiance.

The Greek behind Matthew 4:10

  • Ὕπαγε (hypage, "hence"): This word is a strong command meaning "Go away!" or "Be gone!" Jesus uses it to forcefully dismiss Satan, showing authority and finality.
  • προσκυνήσεις (proskynēseis, "worship"): This Greek word means to bow down or show deep reverence, often used for acts of worship. Here, it underlines that such honor is reserved for God alone.
  • μόνον (monon, "only"): This word stresses exclusivity, making it clear that no one else but God is to be served or worshipped.
  • λατρεύσεις (latreuseis, "serve"): This term refers to religious service or devotion, again highlighting that such service belongs to God and not to any other being.

Why Matthew 4:10 matters

  • Matthew 4:10 clarifies that even when offered power and glory, Jesus insists that only God is worthy of worship, setting a clear example of faithfulness.
  • The verse connects Jesus’ response to the Old Testament, showing how he relies on Scripture to confront temptation.
  • This moment marks the end of Satan’s temptations, showing Jesus’ unwavering commitment to God’s authority and setting the tone for his ministry.

Where else these words appear

“serve” Greek G3000 · used in 21 verses

  • Luke 1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
  • 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 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
  • 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.

“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?

“worship” Greek G4352 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
  • John 4:20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
  • Revelation 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: