Matthew 4:10
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)
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Jesus doesn't just reject Satan's offer; He calls him by name, recognizing his true, antagonistic identity for the first time in this confrontation. This climactic moment reveals that while earlier temptations were disguised, this one shows Satan's raw opposition to divine will, cutting through any pretense with the absolute command to worship God alone.
After offering Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, Satan makes his most direct and brazen demand: that Jesus worship him. Jesus vehemently rejects this final temptation, commanding Satan to depart and citing the Old Testament law that prohibits worship of any but God alone. This sharp rebuke, and the quotation from Deuteronomy, reveals the ultimate spiritual battle: to whom will Jesus give his ultimate allegiance and service.
When faced with overwhelming temptation, Jesus didn't invent a new response. He reached for an ancient weapon. What does this tell us about the authority of Scripture?
Jesus' Secret Weapon: Scripture
This final temptation from Satan is the most intense. He offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, tempting Him with power and dominion apart from the cross. It's a direct assault on Jesus' mission and identity.
But Jesus doesn't engage in a debate. He doesn't try to reason with Satan or prove him wrong. Instead, He pulls out His 'sword' – the Word of God.
Satan demanded ultimate loyalty. Jesus' response was swift, decisive, and absolute. What does this reveal about the kind of worship God deserves?
God Alone Receives Our Worship
Satan's ultimate goal was to usurp Jesus' divine identity and mission. He offered a shortcut to power – worship him, and the kingdoms are yours. This was the pinnacle of the temptation.
Jesus' reply cuts to the heart of the matter:
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.
Jesus’ refusal to worship Satan, even when offered all the kingdoms of the world, directly echoes the ancient command given at Sinai, reminding us that true devotion is solely for the Lord, shaping both ancient Israel’s identity and our own.
c. 1400 BC
Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings
The Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their journey through the wilderness, marked by God's covenant and laws given at Sinai.
c. 1400 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God gives the Ten Commandments and other laws to Moses on Mount Sinai, including the command to worship the Lord alone.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
The Babylonian Empire conquers Jerusalem and exiles many Judeans, a period where the people faced temptations to adopt foreign gods.
c. 440 BC
Post-Exilic Restoration
The return of the exiles to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple and community, emphasizing faithfulness to God's law.
Late 1st century BC
This is the direct Old Testament passage Jesus quotes, establishing the foundational principle that allegiance belongs solely to God.
Matthew 16:23Jesus uses a similar forceful rebuke, 'Get behind me, Satan,' to Peter when he attempts to dissuade Him from his path of suffering, showing the consistent battle against opposing God's will.
Luke 4:8This passage presents the same moment from Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, confirming the established truth that only God is to be worshipped.
John 18:36Jesus later explains to Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world, reinforcing the idea that His authority and service are aligned with God's divine purpose, not worldly power offered by Satan.
1 Samuel 7:3This verse speaks to preparing one's heart and serving the Lord alone, echoing the core message of undivided loyalty to God that Jesus affirms in His confrontation with Satan.
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 reject Satan's offer; He calls him by name, recognizing his true, antagonistic identity for the first time in this confrontation. This climactic moment reveals that while earlier temptations were disguised, this one shows Satan's raw opposition to divine will, cutting through any pretense with the absolute command to worship God alone.
After offering Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, Satan makes his most direct and brazen demand: that Jesus worship him. Jesus vehemently rejects this final temptation, commanding Satan to depart and citing the Old Testament law that prohibits worship of any but God alone. This sharp rebuke, and the quotation from Deuteronomy, reveals the ultimate spiritual battle: to whom will Jesus give his ultimate allegiance and service.
After offering Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, Satan makes his most direct and brazen demand: that Jesus worship him. Jesus vehemently rejects this final temptation, commanding Satan to depart and citing the Old Testament law that prohibits worship of any but God alone. This sharp rebuke, and the quotation from Deuteronomy, reveals the ultimate spiritual battle: to whom will Jesus give his ultimate allegiance and service.
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Jesus didn't just resist Satan; He commanded him. What does this interaction reveal about Jesus' identity and power?
The Son's Command to the Enemy
The intensity of this confrontation shows Satan's desperation and Jesus' full awareness of who he is dealing with. Jesus doesn't just refuse; He issues a command.
Roman Influence in Judea
The increasing political and cultural influence of the Roman Empire over Judea, creating a complex environment for Jewish identity and faith.
c. AD 28
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
Jesus is baptized and begins His public teaching, healing ministry, and gathering of disciples.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days and is tempted by Satan.
"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 reject Satan's offer; He calls him by name, recognizing his true, antagonistic identity for the first time in this confrontation. This climactic moment reveals that while earlier t…