Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to see this as a literal, panoramic view from a mountaintop. But notice the text says the devil "showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory." This suggests more than just a visual display; it implies a powerful, overwhelming presentation of everything worldly power and splendor could offer, designed to captivate Jesus' mind.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Jesus' baptism and his forty days in the wilderness, the devil launches a series of temptations, seeking to divert him from God's path. After Jesus uses Scripture to overcome the temptation to turn stones into bread and the temptation to throw himself from the temple, Satan escalates his assault. The devil then presents Jesus with a breathtaking vision of worldly power and splendor, offering it all in exchange for Jesus' worship.
How could one mountain possibly show all the kingdoms of the world? This wasn't a geography lesson, but a mind game.
The devil’s presentation of 'all the kingdoms of the world and their glory' wasn't a literal panoramic view from a physical mountaintop. The sheer impossibility of seeing every nation and their splendor from any earthly vantage point points to a supernatural, likely visionary, display.
What did the devil highlight to tempt Jesus? It wasn't just land, but the dazzling 'glory' of human achievement.
The devil didn't just show Jesus maps of nations; he displayed their 'glory.' This refers to the immense wealth, power, splendor, magnificent cities, and opulent lifestyles associated with earthly rule.
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Understand the original words
diabolos · Greek Noun
The adversary of God and humanity, the tempter, and the leader of the fallen angels who actively opposes the kingdom of God.
basileia · Greek Noun
The political, social, and earthly structures of humanity, often characterized in the New Testament as being under the influence of the 'god of this world.'
doxa · Greek Noun
Splendor, magnificence, or majesty; in this context, the earthly allure, power, and prestige that accompany human dominion.
The temptation scene occurs during a period of significant foreign domination for Judea, with the memory of past exiles and the current reality of Roman rule shaping the Jewish people's understanding of power and national destiny. The devil's offer of 'all the kingdoms of the world' plays on these anxieties, presenting a shortcut to earthly power that contrasts sharply with Jesus' mission.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many citizens and scattering them throughout the empire. This event marked a significant loss of sovereignty and national identity for the Israelites.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Judah, destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiles a large portion of the population to Babylon. This was a catastrophic blow to the Jewish people, leading to a period of national despair and theological crisis.
539 BC
Cyrus Cylinder Issued
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing deported peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marked the beginning of the return from exile.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Rededicated
The Jewish people, after returning from exile, rededicate the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Though a moment of great religious significance, it was a shadow of the former Temple and occurred under Persian rule.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Roman general Pompey conquers Jerusalem, ending the Hasmonean dynasty's rule and establishing Roman dominance over Judea. This ushered in a period of Roman political and military control.
c. 37 BC - 4 BC
Reign of Herod the Great
Herod the Great, a Roman client king, rules Judea. He is known for his massive building projects, including the expansion of the Second Temple, but also for his tyranny and political maneuvering.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
Jesus, after his baptism, is led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he fasts for forty days and is tempted by the devil. This third temptation involves a vision of all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, offered by the devil in exchange for Jesus' worship.
This passage describes Moses being shown all the lands of Israel from Mount Nebo, similar to how Jesus was shown the kingdoms of the world from a high mountain, highlighting the idea of a panoramic view of promised lands from an elevated vantage point.
Ezra 1:2This verse records Cyrus the Great's proclamation that the Lord had given him all the kingdoms of the earth, echoing the devil's claim to possess and offer all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus.
Daniel 4:17This verse speaks of the Most High ruling over the kingdom of mankind and giving it to whom he will, contrasting with the devil's false claim of ownership and authority over the world's kingdoms.
Luke 4:5-6This parallel account in Luke emphasizes the devil's assertion of having authority over the kingdoms of the world and the glory within them, reinforcing the magnitude of the temptation Jesus faced.
Revelation 21:24-26This passage describes the nations walking in the light of the New Jerusalem and the kings of the earth bringing their glory into it, presenting a future fulfillment where true glory and dominion belong to God and His people, in stark contrast to the devil's deceptive offer.
barnesMatthew 4:8: "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;"
An exceeding high mountain - It is not known what mountain this was. It was probably some elevated place in the vicinity of Jerusalem, from the top of which could be seen no small part of the land of Palestine. The Abbe Mariti speaks of a mountain on which he was, which answers to the description here. "This part of the mountain," says he, "overloo…
bensonMatthew 4:8: "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;"
Matthew 4:8-9 . Again the devil taketh him up — In what way is not said; into an exceeding high mountain — Probably one of the mountains in the wilderness, and from that eminence, partly by the advantage of the place, from which he might behold many magnificent buildings, rich fields, pleasant meadows, hills covered with wood and cattle, rivers rol…
It's easy to see this as a literal, panoramic view from a mountaintop. But notice the text says the devil "showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory." This suggests more than just a visual display; it implies a powerful, overwhelming presentation of everything worldly power and splendor could offer, designed to captivate Jesus' mind.
Following Jesus' baptism and his forty days in the wilderness, the devil launches a series of temptations, seeking to divert him from God's path. After Jesus uses Scripture to overcome the temptation to turn stones into bread and the temptation to throw himself from the temple, Satan escalates his assault. The devil then presents Jesus with a breathtaking vision of worldly power and splendor, offering it all in exchange for Jesus' worship.
Following Jesus' baptism and his forty days in the wilderness, the devil launches a series of temptations, seeking to divert him from God's path. After Jesus uses Scripture to overcome the temptation to turn stones into bread and the temptation to throw himself from the temple, Satan escalates his assault. The devil then presents Jesus with a breathtaking vision of worldly power and splendor, offering it all in exchange for Jesus' worship.
"Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory." — It's easy to see this as a literal, panoramic view from a mountaintop. But notice the text says the devil "showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory." This suggests more than just a vi…
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Last reviewed October 2026