Luke 4:6

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 4:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
Luke 4:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

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 devil said unto him, all this power will I give thee, etc.]. That is, all the kingdoms of the world, and all the government and jurisdiction over them: and the glory of them; the riches, honours, and grandeur belonging to them: for that is delivered unto me: so far he spoke modestly, in that he owned an original, superior governor of them, by whom he pretended they were transferred to him; but lied, in that he suggested they were put into his hands by him, who had the supreme power over them; and that he acted by his constitution and appointment, as a deputy under him; when what power he had, as the God of the world, was by usurpation, and not by designation of God; and at most only…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“On the temptation of Jesus, see the notes at Matthew 4:1-11. Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted - That is, through forty days he was “tried” in various ways by the devil. The temptations, however, which are recorded by Matthew and Luke did not take place until the forty days were finished. See Matthew 4:2-3. He did eat nothing - He was sustained by the power of God during this season of extraordinary fasting. Luke 4:13 Departed for a season - For a time. From this it appears that our Saviour was “afterward” subjected to temptations by Satan, but no “particular” temptations are recorded after this. From John 14:30, it seems that the devil tried or tempted him in the agony in Gethsemane.…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I give it to whomsoever I will - Not so, Satan. It is God, not thou, that putteth down one, and setteth up another: although sometimes Satan, by God's permission, may occasion great revolutions in the world. Luke 4:8”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:6 they are mine to give: The New Testament elsewhere describes Satan’s limited rule over the present world order (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph 2:2; 1 Jn 5:19).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“All: Joh 8:44; Co2 11:14; Rev 12:9, Rev 20:2, Rev 20:3 and the: Est 5:11; Isa 5:14, Isa 23:9; Pe1 1:24 and to: Joh 12:31, Joh 14:30; Eph 2:2; Rev 13:2, Rev 13:7 Luke 4:7”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification