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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Satan makes a crucial, subtle admission: he claims all this authority and glory has been delivered to him, not that he created it. This means his power isn't absolute, but a borrowed, usurped authority he can only distribute, not originate.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The devil is attempting to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, showing him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. After Jesus refuses to worship him for these things, the devil makes a new offer, claiming he has been given authority over all these kingdoms and can give them to whomever he chooses, implying Jesus can have them if he worships him. This exchange highlights the devil's claim to dominion over worldly power and possessions.
Satan offers Jesus dominion over all kingdoms, claiming they've been delivered to him. But is this claim true?
When the devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness, he makes a bold assertion: 'All this authority and their glory… has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.' This sounds powerful, but it's a cleverly crafted lie.
The Truth:
The devil offers 'their glory.' What is this glory, and why is it so tempting?
Satan points to 'all this authority and their glory' as the prize for Jesus. This 'glory' refers to the splendor, majesty, and prestige associated with earthly kingdoms and rulers.
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Earthly vs. Divine Glory:
Understand the original words
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.
Satan's claim of authority over earthly kingdoms reflects the political turmoil and shifting empires of the ancient world. His lie that this authority has been 'delivered' to him highlights the real-world struggles for power that Jesus was confronting, offering a stark contrast to His own kingdom not of this world.
c. 1500 BC
The Exodus and Sinai Covenant
God delivers Israel from slavery in Egypt and establishes His covenant with them at Mount Sinai, marking the beginning of their national identity under divine law.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy Established
David becomes king over all Israel, establishing Jerusalem as the capital and ushering in a golden age of national unity and power.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians, the Temple is destroyed, and a significant portion of the Jewish population is exiled, marking a period of national crisis and spiritual reflection.
c. 539 BC
Persian Empire Rises
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding their Temple and nation. This marks a shift in world powers.
c. 330 BC
Hellenistic Period Begins
Alexander the Great's conquests spread Greek culture and influence throughout the Near East, including Judea, creating a complex cultural and political landscape.
63 BC
Roman Republic Conquers Judea
Roman legions under Pompey intervene in a Jewish civil war, establishing Roman dominance over Judea and its surrounding regions. This sets the stage for Roman imperial rule.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
Jesus, after His baptism, is led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He is tempted by Satan for forty days. Satan claims dominion over earthly kingdoms and offers them to Jesus.
This passage echoes Satan's claim of authority by referring to him as the 'prince of this world,' highlighting the spiritual battle for dominion over earthly kingdoms.
Ephesians 2:2This verse directly connects Satan to the 'prince of the power of the air,' reinforcing the idea that his claimed authority, though temporary and usurped, operates within the earthly realm.
Revelation 13:2This passage parallels Satan's offer by describing the dragon (Satan) giving his power and authority to the beast, demonstrating a pattern of deceptive power transfer.
Psalm 24:1This Psalm directly contradicts Satan's boast by proclaiming that 'The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof,' reminding us that all authority ultimately belongs to God.
cambridgeLuke 4:6: "And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it."
6 . All this power will I give thee ] Rather, in the emphatic order of the original, To Thee will I give this power, all of it, and the glory of them . for that is delivered unto me ] The original is even stronger, has been entrusted to me . Hence the expressions, “the prince of this world,” John 12:31 ; John 14:30 ; “the prince of t…
ellicottLuke 4:6: "And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it."
(6) For that is delivered unto me. —Better, hath been delivered unto me. The specific assertion of the usurped dominion, though implied in St. Matthew, is in its form peculiar to St. Luke. (See Note on Matthew 4:9 .) The notion that any such delegated sovereignty had been assigned to the Tempter, either before or after his fall from…
Satan makes a crucial, subtle admission: he claims all this authority and glory has been delivered to him, not that he created it. This means his power isn't absolute, but a borrowed, usurped authority he can only distribute, not originate.
The devil is attempting to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, showing him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. After Jesus refuses to worship him for these things, the devil makes a new offer, claiming he has been given authority over all these kingdoms and can give them to whomever he chooses, implying Jesus can have them if he worships him. This exchange highlights the devil's claim to dominion over worldly power and possessions.
The devil is attempting to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, showing him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. After Jesus refuses to worship him for these things, the devil makes a new offer, claiming he has been given authority over all these kingdoms and can give them to whomever he chooses, implying Jesus can have them if he worships him. This exchange highlights the devil's claim to dominion over worldly power and possessions.
"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." — Satan makes a crucial, subtle admission: he claims all this authority and glory has been delivered to him, not that he created it. This means his power isn't absolute, but a borrowed, usurped autho…
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Last reviewed October 2026