Mat 4:8-11 | RWP | e4.org | And showeth him ( κα δεικνυσιν αυτω ). This wonderful panorama had to be partially mental and imaginative, since the devil caused to pass in review "all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them." But this fact does not prove that all phases of the temptations were subjective without any objective presence of the devil. Both could be true. Here again we have the vivid historical present ( δεικνυσιν ). The devil now has Christ upon a very high mountain whether the traditional Quarantania or not. It was from Nebo's summit that Moses caught the vision of the land of Canaan ( ). Luke ( ) says that the whole panorama was "in a moment of time" and clearly psychological and instantaneous.

‏ Matthew 4:8-11

And showeth him ( κα δεικνυσιν αυτω ). This wonderful panorama had to be partially mental and imaginative, since the devil caused to pass in review "all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them." But this fact does not prove that all phases of the temptations were subjective without any objective presence of the devil. Both could be true. Here again we have the vivid historical present ( δεικνυσιν ). The devil now has Christ upon a very high mountain whether the traditional Quarantania or not. It was from Nebo's summit that Moses caught the vision of the land of Canaan (De 34:1-3). Luke (Lu 4:5) says that the whole panorama was "in a moment of time" and clearly psychological and instantaneous.

All these things will I give thee ( ταυτα σο παντα δωσω ). The devil claims the rule of the world, not merely of Palestine or of the Roman Empire. "The kingdoms of the cosmos" (4:8) were under his sway. This word for world brings out the orderly arrangement of the universe while η οικουμενη presents the inhabited earth. Jesus does not deny the grip of the devil on the world of men, but the condition ( εαν and aorist subjunctive, second class undetermined with likelihood of determination), was spurned by Jesus. As Matthew has it Jesus is plainly to "fall down and worship me" ( πεσων προκυνησηις μο ), while Luke (Lu 4:7) puts it, "worship before me" ( ενωπιον εμου ), a less offensive demand, but one that really involved worship of the devil. The ambition of Jesus is thus appealed to at the price of recognition of the devil's primacy in the world. It was compromise that involved surrender of the Son of God to the world ruler of this darkness. "The temptation was threefold: to gain a temporal, not a spiritual, dominion; to gain it at once; and to gain it by an act of homage to the ruler of this world, which would make the self-constituted Messiah the vice-regent of the devil and not of God" (McNeile).

Get thee hence, Satan ( Hυπαγε, Σατανα ). The words "behind me" ( οπισω μου ) belong to Mt 16:23, not here. "Begone" Christ says to Satan. This temptation is the limit of diabolical suggestion and argues for the logical order in Matthew. "Satan" means the adversary and Christ so terms the devil here. The third time Jesus quotes Deuteronomy, this time De 6:13, and repels the infamous suggestion by Scripture quotation. The words "him alone thou shalt serve" need be recalled today. Jesus will warn men against trying to serve God and mammon (Mt 6:24). The devil as the lord of the evil world constantly tries to win men to the service of the world and God. This is his chief camouflage for destroying a preacher's power for God. The word here in Mt 4:10 for serve is λατρευσεις from λατρις a hired servant, one who works for hire, then render worship.

Then the devil leaveth him ( τοτε αφιησιν αυτον ο διαβολος ). Note the use of "then" ( τοτε ) again and the historical present. The movement is swift. "And behold" ( κα ιδου ) as so often in Matthew carries on the life-like picture. " Angels came (aorist tense προσηλθον punctiliar action)

and were ministering ( διηκονουν, picturesque imperfect, linear action)

unto him." The victory was won in spite of the fast of forty days and the repeated onsets of the devil who had tried every avenue of approach. The angels could cheer him in the inevitable nervous and spiritual reaction from the strain of conflict, and probably also with food as in the case of Elijah (1Ki 19:6f.). The issues at stake were of vast import as the champions of light and darkness grappled for the mastery of men. Lu 4:13 adds, that the devil left Jesus only "until a good opportunity" ( αχρ καιρου ).