Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just refuse the offer; he dismisses Satan with "Get thee hence!" This is more than a polite refusal; it’s an assertion of authority, cutting off the conversation because the very premise is an affront to God. The inclusion of "and him only shall you serve" highlights that this isn't just about who gets the kingdoms, but about the absolute exclusivity of God's claim on our worship and service, leaving no room for any other master.
Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having just been offered all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, Jesus decisively rebukes Satan. This final temptation, a direct plea for Jesus to commit idolatry by worshipping the devil, elicits the strongest response. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy, firmly establishing that allegiance belongs solely to God.
Satan's final offer was audacious, trying to usurp God's rightful place. How did Jesus respond to this ultimate temptation?
In this climactic moment, Jesus doesn't debate or negotiate. He delivers a sharp, authoritative rebuke: "Be gone, Satan!" This isn't just a polite dismissal; it's a command born of divine authority. Notice how the intensity of the temptation mirrors the intensity of Jesus' response. While earlier temptations might have been veiled as opportunities, this one is a naked challenge to Jesus' allegiance. Jesus doesn't even engage with Satan's claim of ownership over the kingdoms. Instead, He cuts to the core issue: worship and service belong exclusively to God.
When faced with the devil's ultimate deception, Jesus didn't rely on His own power or clever arguments. What was His ultimate weapon?
Jesus' response, "For it is written," reveals the bedrock of His resistance. He doesn't just know Scripture; He wields it as a decisive sword against spiritual attack. The specific command cited from Deuteronomy leaves no room for compromise: 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.' This wasn't just an ancient rule; it was the eternal truth that guided Jesus' every step. It demonstrates that true worship and service are non-negotiable and exclusively reserved for God alone.
The devil offered Jesus everything, but Jesus' response points to a singular, absolute requirement for any true follower of God. What is it?
The heart of Jesus' refusal lies in the words 'and him shall you serve.' This isn't about serving God of the time, or serving God other things. It's about an exclusive, unwavering allegiance. This principle cuts through any attempt to divide our loyalty between God and earthly power, ambition, or any other master. Jesus demonstrates that our entire devotion—our worship and our service—is to be directed solely to the Lord our God. This commitment is the non-negotiable core of a life lived for Him.
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Understand the original words
Satanas · Greek Noun
A Hebrew term meaning 'adversary' or 'accuser,' used as a proper name for the one who acts as the primary tempter and enemy of God.
latreuō · Greek Verb
To minister, perform sacred service, or perform religious duties; it implies a total life-dedication and subordination to one's master.
This is the direct Old Testament passage Jesus quotes to refute Satan's temptation, emphasizing the foundational command to worship and serve only the Lord.
Luke 4:8This passage parallels Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, showing the same temptation and Jesus' identical reliance on Scripture to overcome it.
Matthew 16:23Jesus uses a similar rebuke, 'Get behind me, Satan,' to Peter when Peter tries to dissuade Him from the path of suffering, highlighting the ongoing struggle against satanic influence and misplaced priorities.
Joshua 24:14This verse echoes the theme of exclusive devotion, urging the Israelites to 'put away the foreign gods that are among you and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel,' reinforcing the principle of singular allegiance.
Romans 12:1Paul calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, a spiritual act of worship, connecting the idea of devoted service from Matthew 4:10 to the ongoing, daily commitment required of followers of Christ.
barnesMatthew 4:10: "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."
Get thee hence - These temptations, and this one especially, the Saviour met with a decided rebuke. This was a bolder attack than any which had been made before. The other temptations had been founded on an appeal to his necessities, and an offer of the protection of God in great danger; in both cases plausible, and in neither a direct violatio…
pulpitMatthew 4:10: "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."
Verse 10. - Get thee hence, Satan. "Avaunt, Satan" (Rheims). Christ does not address him directly till this climax. The two previous temptations were, comparatively speaking, ordinary and limited. This temptation calls out a passionate utterance of a personality stirred, because touched, in its depths. Only once again do we find our Lord so mov…
Jesus doesn't just refuse the offer; he dismisses Satan with "Get thee hence!" This is more than a polite refusal; it’s an assertion of authority, cutting off the conversation because the very premise is an affront to God. The inclusion of "and him only shall you serve" highlights that this isn't just about who gets the kingdoms, but about the absolute exclusivity of God's claim on our worship and service, leaving no room for any other master.
Having just been offered all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, Jesus decisively rebukes Satan. This final temptation, a direct plea for Jesus to commit idolatry by worshipping the devil, elicits the strongest response. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy, firmly establishing that allegiance belongs solely to God.
Having just been offered all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, Jesus decisively rebukes Satan. This final temptation, a direct plea for Jesus to commit idolatry by worshipping the devil, elicits the strongest response. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy, firmly establishing that allegiance belongs solely to God.
"Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”" — Jesus doesn't just refuse the offer; he dismisses Satan with "Get thee hence!" This is more than a polite refusal; it’s an assertion of authority, cutting off the conversation because the very premis…
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Last reviewed October 2026