Luke 22:31

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 22:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:
Luke 22:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, etc.] Peter is particularly, and by name, spoken to, either because he might be a principal person in the debate and contention about superiority, mentioned in the context; or because he was chiefly to suffer in the following temptation of Satan; or because he was generally the mouth of the rest of the apostles; and he is addressed, not by the name of Peter, the name Christ gave him, when he first called him, signifying his future solidity, firmness, and steadfastness; because in this instance, he would not give any proof of it; but by his former name, Simon, and which is repeated, partly to show the earnestness of Christ in the delivery of what follows, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Simon, Simon--(See on Luk 10:41). desired to have--rather, "hath obtained you," properly "asked and obtained"; alluding to Job (Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-6), whom he solicited and obtained that he might sift him as wheat, insinuating as "the accuser of the brethren" (Rev 12:10), that he would find chaff enough in his religion, if indeed there was any wheat at all. you--not Peter only, but them all.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Simon - Peter. Jesus, foreseeing the danger of Peter, and knowing that he was about to deny him, took occasion to forewarn him and put him on his guard, and also to furnish him with a solace when he should be brought to repentance. Satan hath desired - Satan is the prince of evil. One of his works is to try the faith of believers to place temptations and trials in their way, that they may be tested. Thus God gave Job into his hands, that it might be seen whether he would be found faithful, or would apostatize. See the notes at Job 1:7-12. So Satan desired to have Peter in his hands, that he might also try him. May sift you as wheat - Grain was agitated or shaken in a kind of fan or sieve.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Satan hath desired to have you - My apostles, that he might sift you as wheat - Try you to the uttermost. Luke 22:32”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:31 Regarding Satan, see 4:2; 10:18; 11:15. Satan is the accuser of God’s people (see Job 1:7; 2:2); he would test Simon Peter and the rest of the apostles. • asked to sift: Wheat was sifted through a sieve to separate the grain from the chaff. It is an image of extreme testing (see Isa 30:28; Amos 9:9). • The NLT’s each of you is precise, because the Greek you is plural, referring to all the disciples. Jesus foresaw Peter’s denial and the trials of the other disciples.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Simon: Luk 10:41; Act 9:4 Satan: Job 1:8-11, Job 2:3-6; Zac 3:1; Pe1 5:8; Rev 12:10 sift: Amo 9:9 Luke 22:32”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification