Luke 4:5-7
And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "in a moment of time" highlights the supernatural, instantaneous nature of this vision, emphasizing that it wasn't a literal journey but a powerful, compressed display of worldly power designed to overwhelm Jesus. This shows the devil's ability to present overwhelming temptations in a flash, making them seem achievable all at once.
After Jesus is baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, he's led into the wilderness for forty days. There, he's tempted by the devil, who tries to use Jesus' hunger and his divine nature against him. This temptation, where Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, is the second of three major challenges Jesus faces in the wilderness.
Imagine seeing every nation, every city, every person's life flash before your eyes. That's the kind of overwhelming display Satan used.
The devil didn't just point to a map; he orchestrated a supernatural, instantaneous vision. The original language emphasizes this incredible speed – 'in a moment of time' or 'in a second.' Think of it like a super-fast slideshow, condensed into a single point in time. This wasn't a gradual seduction but an immediate, overwhelming offer designed to shock and awe Jesus.
Satan presented himself as the ultimate distributor of power. But was his claim to ownership true?
Crucially, Satan claimed, 'it is delivered to me, and to whomsoever I will I give it' (Luke 4:6). The commentators point out that this was a lie! The dominion of the world wasn't his to give. God is the ultimate sovereign, and while Satan can influence, he cannot legitimately bestow kingdoms. This highlights his deceptive nature – he tries to wield authority he doesn't possess, a tactic still used today to lure people into compromising their values for worldly gain.
Was Jesus actually transported to a mountain, or was this a spiritual illusion? The text leaves room for awe.
The exact nature of how Jesus was shown these kingdoms – physically transported or through a powerful spiritual vision – is debated. Some scholars suggest it might have been a vision, fitting the 'moment of time' description. Regardless, the impact was real. The temptation was so intense that it felt like Christ was experiencing it directly. This shows that our spiritual battles, even if they feel like intense 'visions' or overwhelming thoughts, have profound real-world consequences and require genuine, resolute faith to overcome.
Understand the original words
basileia · Greek Noun
The organized systems of human rule and power in the world. They represent the authority that Christ came to redeem and eventually reclaim as the rightful King.
exousia · Greek Noun
Refers to the legal right or delegated power to govern, command, or influence. In a biblical context, it implies sovereignty, which belongs ultimately to God, though temporarily usurped or delegated in the current world order.
doxa · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, this refers to the splendor, majesty, and honor associated with the kingdoms of the world. It often signifies the pride and outward magnificence of human systems that are contrasted with the glory of God.
proskyneo · Greek Verb
This temptation occurred at the very beginning of Jesus' public ministry, setting the stage for His mission by confronting Him with the allure of earthly power and glory as opposed to His divinely appointed path.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Baptism and Temptation
After His baptism by John in the Jordan River, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus begins public ministry
Following the temptation, Jesus returns and begins His public ministry, teaching in synagogues and gathering disciples.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Judea
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea, performing miracles, teaching about the Kingdom of God, and attracting a large following.
c. 33 AD
Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem
Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem for the Passover, knowing His arrest, trial, and crucifixion await Him.
This passage describes the same temptation, where the devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, highlighting the contrast between Satan's claim of authority and God's ultimate sovereignty.
Daniel 7:14This prophecy speaks of a 'son of man' receiving dominion, glory, and a kingdom that will not be destroyed, directly contrasting with Satan's offer of earthly kingdoms.
John 14:30Jesus himself acknowledges the 'prince of this world' coming and having nothing in him, which echoes the devil's claim of authority over the kingdoms shown in Luke 4:5.
Revelation 11:15This verse describes the moment when 'the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,' showing the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan that Satan tried to usurp.
vincentLuke 4:5: "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time."
The worldSee on Luke 2:1.In a moment of time (ἐν στιγμῇ χρόνου)Peculiar to Luke. Στιγμή is literally a mark made by a pointed instrument, a dot: hence a point of time. Only here in New Testament. Compare στίγματα, brand-marks, Galatians 6:17. Tynd., in the twinkling of an eye.
pooleLuke 4:5: "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time."
Ver. 5-8. See Poole on "Matthew 4:8". See Poole on "Matthew 4:9". See Poole on "Matthew 4:10". Those words, Luke 4:6 , for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it, are only mentioned by Luke; where we may observe, that the devil was a liar from the beginning. The dominion over the things of the world was not given to the angels, but to man. Nei…
The phrase "in a moment of time" highlights the supernatural, instantaneous nature of this vision, emphasizing that it wasn't a literal journey but a powerful, compressed display of worldly power designed to overwhelm Jesus. This shows the devil's ability to present overwhelming temptations in a flash, making them seem achievable all at once.
After Jesus is baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, he's led into the wilderness for forty days. There, he's tempted by the devil, who tries to use Jesus' hunger and his divine nature against him. This temptation, where Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, is the second of three major challenges Jesus faces in the wilderness.
After Jesus is baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, he's led into the wilderness for forty days. There, he's tempted by the devil, who tries to use Jesus' hunger and his divine nature against him. This temptation, where Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, is the second of three major challenges Jesus faces in the wilderness.
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The act of bowing down, prostrating oneself, or showing supreme reverence and honor. Biblically, it is an act of total submission and adoration that must be directed exclusively toward God.
c. 33 AD
Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and then rises from the dead on the third day, fulfilling His mission and offering salvation.
"And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, the…" — The phrase "in a moment of time" highlights the supernatural, instantaneous nature of this vision, emphasizing that it wasn't a literal journey but a powerful, compressed display of worldly power des…
