Luke 4:11 kjv

And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Luke 4:11 nkjv

and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' "

Luke 4:11 niv

they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"

Luke 4:11 esv

and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"

Luke 4:11 nlt

And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.' "

Luke 4 verses

Luke 4 11 Meaning

Luke 4:11 is part of Satan's second (in Luke's order) temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Satan quotes Psalm 91:11-12, implying that if Jesus were truly the Son of God, He should throw Himself down from the temple, and angels would supernaturally prevent any harm. The devil's intention is to provoke Jesus to presumption and to test God, thereby attempting to bypass God's intended path for the Messiah. The verse itself promises divine protection through angelic care, but the context reveals its manipulative misuse.

Luke 4 11 Context

Luke 4:11 is part of the pivotal narrative of Jesus' forty-day temptation in the wilderness immediately following His baptism and divine affirmation (Lk 3:21-22). Empowered by the Holy Spirit (Lk 4:1), Jesus is led into the desert to be tested by the devil. The temptation aims to challenge Jesus' identity as the Son of God, His dependence on the Father, and His commitment to God's intended path.

The immediate preceding verse, Luke 4:10, along with Luke 4:11, presents the devil's argument for Jesus to perform a miraculous jump from the temple. Satan specifically quotes Psalm 91, which speaks of divine protection for those who trust in God. This is the second of three temptations presented in Luke's sequence. The historical context includes Jewish messianic expectations, some of which anticipated a Messiah who would perform dramatic signs to prove His divine authority. By quoting Scripture, Satan aims to lure Jesus into a false understanding of the divine promise and to presume upon God's protection for a spectacular, but unauthorized, display.

Luke 4 11 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): A particle indicating reason or explanation, linking this verse to the preceding one. Satan is providing the reason, a "scriptural" basis, for his command to Jesus. It emphasizes the "therefore" of Satan's twisted logic.
• He will command (ἐντελεῖται - enteleitai): Future active indicative of entellō (to order, command, enjoin). This is an active divine decree. It suggests God Himself is the one issuing the orders to the angels.
• His angels (τοῖς ἀγγέλοις αὐτοῦ - tois angelois autou): Refers to the divine messengers or celestial beings who serve God. The possessive pronoun "His" (αὐτοῦ - autou) stresses their subservience to God, indicating divine authority over them.
• concerning you (περί σου - peri sou): A specific, personal address. The devil emphasizes that this promise of protection applies directly to Jesus, implying a special status as the Son of God.
• to guard you (τοῦ διαφυλάξαι σε - tou diaphulaxai se): Infinitive of diaphulassō, meaning "to guard thoroughly," "to preserve completely." The prefix dia- enhances the verb, implying full and effective preservation from danger.
• and (καὶ - kai): Connects the two parts of the promise.
• on their hands (ἐπὶ χειρῶν - epi cheirōn): Literal and metaphorical. It depicts the angels holding and supporting, signifying tender care and complete support. It’s a common ancient Near Eastern idiom for careful support and lifting someone out of danger (cf. Isa 49:22).
• they will bear you up (ἀροῦσίν σε - arousin se): Future active indicative of airō, meaning "to lift up," "to carry." It signifies active support and elevation to prevent falling.
• lest (μήποτε - mēpote): A conjunction expressing a negative purpose, "that...not," "in order that...never." It highlights the protective purpose of the angelic action – to prevent a specific harm.
• you strike (προσκόψῃς - proskopsēs): Aorist active subjunctive of proskoptō, meaning "to strike against," "to stumble," "to dash against." It suggests coming into painful contact with an obstacle.
• your foot (τὸν πόδα σου - ton poda sou): Refers to one's physical foot, but metaphorically can represent one's progress, path, or well-being in life.
• against a stone (πρὸς λίθον - pros lithon): "Against an obstacle," "against something hard and potentially harmful." This "stone" signifies any physical or spiritual stumbling block.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you": This phrase from Psalm 91:11 highlights God's sovereignty and His provision of angelic service specifically for the righteous. Satan's quote uses this to suggest Jesus should invoke this protective power to avoid physical harm, presenting it as an unconditional guarantee for one of divine status.
• "and on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone": This part from Psalm 91:12 reinforces the idea of comprehensive and tender angelic protection. The imagery is vivid, implying an immediate and complete intervention to prevent even minor injury. The devil's misapplication implies that this promise grants immunity from harm even when deliberately putting oneself in danger, which distorts the spirit of trusting reliance on God into a demand for divine intervention for a spectacle.

Luke 4 11 Bonus section

The "pinnacle of the temple" mentioned in the preceding verse (Lk 4:9) was likely a high point overlooking the Kidron Valley, offering a spectacular vantage for such a public demonstration. Satan’s temptation here goes beyond physical danger; it strikes at the core of Jesus’ Messiahship. By urging a dramatic public display, Satan sought to push Jesus toward a kingship built on showmanship and forced belief, rather than the quiet, humble obedience and sacrificial love ordained by the Father. This directly contrasts with Jesus' actual ministry, which emphasized humility, serving, and suffering love.

The original context of Psalm 91 is not about an individual seeking to test God's protection by willfully endangering themselves, but rather about the secure dwelling of those who faithfully abide "under the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps 91:1). It describes divine guardianship in the course of one's obedient walk, protecting against unintended harm, not self-induced peril designed to prove God. This highlights the vital importance of reading Scripture within its full context and intent, rather than extracting verses in isolation for manipulative purposes. Satan is an expert at twisting divine truth, and Jesus’ immediate rebuttal exemplifies discerning and countering such spiritual attacks.

Luke 4 11 Commentary

Luke 4:11 records the devil's skillful, yet malicious, use of Scripture. By quoting Psalm 91:11-12 accurately, Satan attempts to lend divine authority to his temptation. However, the true danger lies not in the words themselves, but in their context and application. Psalm 91 is a promise of God's providential care for those who trust and dwell under His protective wings. It assures believers of safety in God's path, not a license to defy danger or to presumptuously test God's faithfulness.

The devil's aim was two-fold: first, to tempt Jesus into performing a sensational miracle (a "sign from heaven" desired by some Jews), thus forcing God's hand and abandoning the humble, suffering servant path. Second, he aimed to draw Jesus into presumptuous sin, believing God's promises apply regardless of the recklessness of the act. Jesus' response in Luke 4:12, quoting Deut 6:16, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test," exposes the devil's deception. Jesus rightly interprets Scripture with Scripture, understanding that true faith involves humble submission to God's will and reliance on His wisdom, not manipulating His power or demanding a performance. This teaches believers that divine promises are not magic formulas to be invoked for self-serving or faithless acts. Faith involves trusting God in His way, not creating an unnecessary test for Him.