Luke 4:13
And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Right after Jesus is powerfully affirmed by God and then tested in the wilderness, this verse marks the end of Satan's direct assaults. The devil has thrown his worst at Jesus, trying to make Him compromise His identity and mission, but he fails completely. This isn't the end of their spiritual battle, though; Satan simply retreats for a more "convenient" time, hinting at future confrontations.
Satan tried everything he could think of, throwing his 'whole arsenal' at Jesus. But in the end, he was out of ideas, and out of power.
The Greek word Luke uses here, syntelontas, carries a sense of 'completing' or 'bringing to an end.' It implies that the devil didn't just offer a few random shots; he exhausted his entire quiver of temptations. These weren't just isolated incidents, but represented distinct categories of temptation: the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the temptation to spiritual presumption. By enduring and overcoming these, Jesus showed he could be tempted in 'every way, just as we are,' yet without sin.
This means Jesus' victory wasn't just a fluke; it was a comprehensive triumph that established a pattern for how we too can face every kind of temptation.
Satan didn't just give up; he 'departed... until an opportune time.' This reveals a strategic, patient enemy, waiting for his moment.
The phrase 'until an opportune time' (or 'until a season') highlights that Satan's strategy isn't always immediate all-out assault. He's a calculating adversary who withdraws strategically, waiting for moments when we might be vulnerable. This 'opportune time' could be when we are weary, discouraged, or facing new circumstances.
While Jesus was victorious in the wilderness, the text implies that Satan would return. We see this later in Gethsemane, described as 'your hour, and the power of darkness.' This doesn't mean Jesus sinned then, but that Satan used a time of intense suffering and weakness to try and break him. Knowing this reminds us that spiritual warfare is ongoing, requiring constant vigilance and reliance on God's strength, not just in moments of crisis, but in the quiet, 'convenient' times as well.
Understand the original words
diabolos · Greek Noun
The adversary of God and mankind, representing the embodiment of evil, deception, and the tempter who seeks to derail the mission of the Messiah.
peirasmos · Greek Noun
An enticement or solicitation to do evil, designed to test faithfulness, reveal character, or lead one into sin.
This verse highlights that Jesus' victory over temptation wasn't a one-time event, but a pattern of spiritual warfare. Satan's departure 'until an opportune time' reminds us that even after intense spiritual battles, the adversary will seek new opportunities to attack, particularly during moments of vulnerability or critical junctures in God's plan.
c. 27 AD
Jesus baptized in Jordan River
Following His baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus is identified as God's Son, setting the stage for His public ministry and subsequent temptations.
c. 27 AD— this verse
Jesus led into wilderness
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is deliberately led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, a crucial period before His public ministry begins.
c. 27 AD
Angels minister to Jesus
After Satan's departure, angels arrive to provide sustenance and comfort to Jesus, signifying divine support following His victory over temptation.
c. 28-30 AD
Jesus' public ministry
Jesus begins His public teaching, healing, and miracles, often facing opposition and questions from religious leaders.
This passage directly speaks to Jesus' humanity and his experience of temptation, highlighting that he was tested in every way, just as we are, which echoes the comprehensive nature of the temptations in Luke 4.
James 4:7This verse offers a powerful encouragement: 'Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.' It directly relates to the outcome of Jesus' successful resistance in Luke 4, showing the principle at work.
1 Corinthians 10:13This verse provides assurance that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to bear, and will always provide a way out. It's a direct parallel to God's deliverance of Jesus in Luke 4, and a promise for believers facing ongoing temptation.
Luke 22:53Jesus himself refers to this moment as 'your hour and the power of darkness,' indicating that Satan's return after the wilderness temptations was a significant, albeit different, form of opposition he faced later in his ministry, specifically at Gethsemane.
Matthew 4:11While Luke focuses on Satan's departure, Matthew adds that angels came and ministered to Jesus. This shows the divine support Jesus received after enduring and overcoming Satan's onslaught, highlighting God's provision.
barnesLuke 4:13: "And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."
Departed for a season - For a time. From this it appears that our Saviour was "afterward" subjected to temptations by Satan, but no "particular" temptations are recorded after this. From John 14:30 , it seems that the devil tried or tempted him in the agony in Gethsemane. Compare the notes at Hebrews 12:4 . It is more than probable, also, that Satan did much to excite the Pharisees and Sadducees to…
cambridgeLuke 4:13: "And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."
13 . had ended all the temptation ] Rather, every temptation . “He had,” as Bengel says, “shot his last dart.” The temptations had been addressed (1) to the desire of the flesh—trying to make the test of Sonship to God consist not in obedience but in the absence of pain; (2) to the pride of life—as though earthly greatness were a sign of God’s approval, and as though greatness consisted in power and…
{ "hasHistoricalBackground": false }
Right after Jesus is powerfully affirmed by God and then tested in the wilderness, this verse marks the end of Satan's direct assaults. The devil has thrown his worst at Jesus, trying to make Him compromise His identity and mission, but he fails completely. This isn't the end of their spiritual battle, though; Satan simply retreats for a more "convenient" time, hinting at future confrontations.
Right after Jesus is powerfully affirmed by God and then tested in the wilderness, this verse marks the end of Satan's direct assaults. The devil has thrown his worst at Jesus, trying to make Him compromise His identity and mission, but he fails completely. This isn't the end of their spiritual battle, though; Satan simply retreats for a more "convenient" time, hinting at future confrontations.
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c. 30 AD
Jesus arrested in Gethsemane
During Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, Satan is seen to return, influencing Judas and the authorities, marking a significant confrontation.
"And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time." — { "hasHistoricalBackground": false }
