Matthew 4 8

Matthew 4:8 kjv

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 nkjv

Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

Matthew 4:8 niv

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

Matthew 4:8 esv

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

Matthew 4:8 nlt

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

Matthew 4 verses

Matthew 4 8 Meaning

Matthew 4:8 describes the third and final temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness. The devil leads Him to a towering vantage point, possibly literal or symbolic, from which he displays all the worldly kingdoms in their full majesty and allure. This presents Jesus with a supreme test: the immediate offer of global dominion and splendor without the necessity of suffering and sacrifice, but at the cost of bowing to the devil's authority.

Matthew 4 8 Context

This verse is the climax of the temptation narrative following Jesus' baptism and prior to His public ministry. Having resisted the devil's appeals to turn stones into bread (physical need/distrust in God's provision) and to throw Himself from the temple (pride/testing God's faithfulness), Jesus now faces the ultimate temptation: a shortcut to power and glory. The offer of "all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor" was a direct challenge to God's intended path for the Messiah—one of suffering and humble service, not earthly conquest facilitated by Satan. This temptation holds a significant polemic against contemporary Jewish messianic expectations, which often envisioned a political liberator who would overthrow Roman rule and establish an earthly kingdom. By rejecting the devil's offer, Jesus decisively sets the course for a spiritual kingdom achieved through the cross, not worldly dominion gained through compromise with evil. It parallels Israel's temptations in the wilderness to follow foreign gods or seek worldly alliances, temptations which Israel frequently succumbed to.

Matthew 4 8 Word analysis

• Again (πάλιν, palin): This Greek adverb indicates repetition or resumption. It emphasizes the persistent and relentless nature of the devil's assault on Jesus, building on previous temptations rather than being an isolated event. It shows the strategic escalation of the devil's efforts.
• the devil (ὁ διάβολος, ho diabolos): From Greek diaballō, meaning "to slander" or "to accuse." This term signifies Satan's primary nature as the accuser and adversary of God and His people. Here, he acts as the tempter, seeking to divert Jesus from His divine mission and sovereignty.
• took him (παραλαμβάνει, paralambanei): The Greek word means "to take alongside," "to receive," or "to take into one's company." It suggests a deliberate, perhaps forceful or supernaturally enabled, leading rather than Jesus willingly following. It indicates the devil initiating the movement.
• very high mountain (ὄρος ὑψηλὸν λίαν, oros hupsēlon lian): This phrase translates to "mountain lofty exceedingly." While potentially a literal elevated point, the impossibility of seeing "all the kingdoms of the world" from any single geographical mountain suggests it represents a vision, a supernatural perception, or a symbolic place of supreme vantage and potential power. Mountains in biblical narrative often serve as places of divine revelation (Sinai, Tabor) or idolatrous worship (high places); here, the devil corrupts this motif for his perverse offer.
• showed him (δείκνυσιν, deiknusin): This verb means "to display," "to exhibit," or "to make known." It implies a vivid, visual, and compelling presentation of the world's allure, far beyond mere suggestion or words. It's a grand spectacle intended to overwhelm.
• all the kingdoms of the world (πάσας τὰς βασιλείας τοῦ κόσμου, pasas tas basileias tou kosmou):
  • pasas tas basileias: "all the kingdoms," encompassing every human dominion, empire, and political authority.
  • tou kosmou: "of the world." The Greek word kosmos here carries the connotation of the organized human system apart from God, often imbued with a sense of fallenness, vanity, and rebellion against divine rule. It refers to the entirety of human authority and societal structures not subjected to Christ.
• and their splendor (καὶ τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν, kai tēn doxan autōn):
  • tēn doxan: "the glory," "majesty," "magnificence," "pomp," or "renown." This refers to the captivating attractiveness, wealth, prestige, and power that come with worldly rule.
  • autōn: "of them" (referring to the kingdoms). This emphasizes the perceived inherent value and appeal of these earthly domains.
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him": This phrase highlights the intentional, active, and persuasive nature of the devil's temptation. It is not passive but a dynamic presentation designed to influence Jesus through visual impact and perceived opportunity. The "very high mountain" serves as the literal or symbolic platform for this ultimate display, setting the stage for the audacious offer.
  • "all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor": This specific combination of phrases identifies the precise target of this temptation. It is an offer of universal dominion and political power, coupled with all the captivating glory and majesty associated with such authority. It encapsulates the temptation to achieve immediate, tangible, and universally recognized success by unholy means, contrasting sharply with God's path of suffering, sacrifice, and a kingdom "not of this world."

Matthew 4 8 Bonus section

This temptation resonates profoundly with believers today as the world constantly offers its own forms of "kingdoms and splendor" – wealth, status, recognition, and power gained through compromising God's principles. The devil's strategy remains the same: bypass God's ordained path of humility, service, and reliance, and instead gain influence and 'success' by means that serve the 'god of this world'. Jesus' victory serves as a definitive pattern that true spiritual authority and eternal glory are found only in unwavering allegiance and worship of God alone, not in embracing the transient enticements of the fallen world system. The "very high mountain" can also symbolize any elevated position or ambition in life from which one is tempted to leverage earthly power or fame instead of relying on divine power and principles.

Matthew 4 8 Commentary

Matthew 4:8 unveils the most formidable of Jesus' wilderness temptations: a direct assault on His messianic role, tempting Him to usurp divine sovereignty and achieve global dominion by aligning with the enemy. The devil's offer of "all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor" was a deceptive shortcut to universal rule, promising a crown without a cross. It preyed on the desire for legitimate authority and the alluring, though fleeting, glory of human power systems. Jesus' steadfast rejection established a crucial paradigm: God's kingdom is established not through earthly might or compromise with evil, but through faithful obedience, self-sacrifice, and adherence to divine timing. This temptation powerfully highlights the fundamental conflict between God's humble, spiritual pathway and the devil's offer of instant, worldly glory—a choice believers must constantly face when confronted with shortcuts to success outside of God's will.