What is the meaning of Luke 4:8? But Jesus answered • Luke records that Jesus responds directly and immediately to Satan’s temptation, modeling active resistance rather than silent endurance (cf. James 4:7). • His readiness demonstrates that He “has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), underscoring His flawless obedience from the very outset of His public ministry. • By answering, Jesus establishes the pattern that the enemy’s assaults are met with truth, not personal opinion or emotion (see Ephesians 6:17, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”). It is written • Jesus reaches for the authority of Scripture, specifically Deuteronomy 6:13, declaring that the Word is the final standard. • This appeal affirms that “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16) and fully sufficient for refuting deception. • The phrase reminds believers that victory comes not by new revelations or human ingenuity, but by the timeless text already given (Psalm 119:105). Worship the Lord your God • Worship belongs exclusively to the covenant God—Yahweh—who delivered Israel and now has sent His Son (Exodus 20:2-3; Revelation 14:7). • Jesus highlights the heart posture of reverence, awe, and affection commanded in the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-5). • True worship refuses to elevate any created thing—power, success, or even spiritual beings—to the place only God deserves (Psalm 95:6; Romans 1:25). and serve Him only • Service flows from worship; what we adore, we inevitably obey (Matthew 6:24). • The adverb “only” shuts the door on divided loyalties: there can be no blending of devotion to God with allegiance to Satan’s shortcuts (Joshua 24:14-15). • Throughout redemptive history, God’s servants—from Samuel to Elijah to Paul—call God’s people to exclusive service (1 Samuel 7:3; Galatians 1:10). • Jesus’ refusal here foreshadows His ultimate submission at the cross, fulfilling Isaiah 53:11 as the perfectly obedient Servant. summary Luke 4:8 portrays Jesus wielding Scripture as the decisive answer to temptation. He affirms the Bible’s absolute authority, commands undivided worship of the one true God, and insists on exclusive service to Him. By responding this way, Jesus not only defeats Satan in that moment but also sets the enduring pattern for every believer: confront lies with God’s written Word, adore the Lord alone, and dedicate all allegiance to His service. |
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