Luke 4:8 · Bible study
Luke 4:8 Commentary: Worship and Serve God Only
Greek · 5 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Jesus change Deuteronomy 6:13? Discover the meaning of 'you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve' in this study of Luke 4:8.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus refuses the devil’s offer of worldly authority, quoting Deuteronomy to affirm that only God deserves worship and service.
- Key words: προσκυνέω (proskuneō, to worship, fall down in homage), λατρεύω (latreuō, to serve in religious duty), μόνῳ (monō, only, alone).
- Main debate: Whether the command “Get behind me, Satan” is original to Luke or added from Matthew, and whether Jesus’ alteration of Deuteronomy (substituting “worship” for “fear” and adding “only”) is a freer interpretation or a quote from a variant Septuagint text.
- Theological theme: Exclusive monotheistic loyalty as the foundation of Christian discipleship.
- Best use: Teaching on resisting temptation through Scripture, the first commandment, and the uniqueness of God’s claim on our lives.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
WEB World English Bible 2000
Jesus answered him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”
KJV King James Version 1769
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And Jesus answered and said unto him, It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And Jesus answering him said, `Get thee behind me, Adversary, for it hath been written, Thou shalt bow before the Lord thy God, and Him only thou shalt serve.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And Jesus answering him said, It is written, Thou shalt do homage to [the] Lord thy God, and him alone shalt thou serve.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And Jesus answering said to him. It is written: Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y respondiendo Jesús, le dijo: Vete de mí, Satanás, porque escrito está: A tu Señor Dios adorarás, y á él solo servirás.
E Jesus lhe respondeu: Está escrito: Adorarás ao Senhor teu Deus, e servirás só a ele.
Jésus lui répondit: Il est écrit:
Jesus antwortete ihm und sprach: Es steht geschrieben: “Du sollst Gott, deinen HERRN, anbeten und ihm allein dienen.”
En Jezus, antwoordende, zeide tot hem: Ga weg van Mij, satan, want er is geschreven: Gij zult den Heere, uw God, aanbidden, en Hem alleen dienen.
E Gesù, rispondendo, gli disse: Sta scritto: Adora il Signore Iddio tuo, e a lui solo rendi il tuo culto.
A odpowiadając Jezus rzekł mu: Pójdź precz ode mnie, szatanie! albowiem napisano: Panu, Bogu twemu, kłaniać się będziesz, i jemu samemu służyć będziesz.
Иисус сказал ему в ответ: отойди от Меня, сатана; написано: Господу Богу твоему поклоняйся, и Ему одному служи.
耶穌 說：「經上記著說：當拜 主─你的 神， 單 要事奉 他。」
And Jesus in answer said to him, It has been said in the Writings, Give worship to the Lord your God, and be his servant only.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Luke 4:8
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Jesus’ reply to the devil is a firm repudiation of the offer of worldly authority in exchange for worship. The Cambridge Bible notes that the words “Get behind me, Satan” may have been added later from Matthew 4:10, but the core response, the quotation from Deuteronomy, is central. Gill explains that Jesus adds the word “only” to the text from Deuteronomy 6:13, bringing out the full sense of exclusive devotion. The original reads “You shall fear Yahweh your God and serve him.” By substituting “worship” for “fear” and inserting “only,” Jesus makes explicit that religious homage and service belong to God alone. This is not a minor edit. It is a deliberate interpretive move, showing that the devil’s demand for worship is a direct violation of Israel’s covenant identity. The temptation is met with the very Scripture that defines proper allegiance.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Textual view: The words "Get behind me, Satan" may not be original to Luke but added from Matthew (manuscript evidence).
- Exegetical view: Jesus intentionally alters Deuteronomy 6:13 to sharpen the demand for exclusive worship.
- Harmonistic view: The order of temptations in Luke reflects a thematic arrangement rather than chronological (Lange's discussion).
What is clear: Jesus utterly refuses to give any homage or worship to the devil, affirming that God alone deserves such devotion.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| "Get behind me, Satan", textual authenticity | The phrase appears in many manuscripts of Luke 4:8 and is present in the parallel account in Matthew 4:10. | Some scholars, cited by the Cambridge Bible, consider it a later addition to Luke because it is omitted in early manuscripts (א, B, D, L). Others defend its original place in the text. |
| Alteration of Deuteronomy 6:13 | Jesus quotes Deuteronomy, replacing "fear" with "worship" and adding "only." | Some argue Jesus is quoting a Greek translation that already had these changes. Others see a deliberate interpretive adaptation to emphasize exclusive worship. |
| The devil's authority over the kingdoms | The devil claims authority and offers it to Jesus. | Whether Satan genuinely has authority over the world's kingdoms (some see him as "the god of this age") or is lying (as Poole suggests) is debated. |
| Order of temptations in Luke vs Matthew | Both Gospels record three temptations, but Luke places the kingdoms temptation second, Matthew third. | Which order is chronological. Many prefer Matthew's as climactic (temple pinnacle last), while Luke's order may be thematic. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The temptation narrative in Luke 4 follows Jesus’ baptism and his being led by the Spirit into the wilderness. For forty days he fasted, and then the devil approached him with three specific tests. The second test in Luke’s ordering (the third in Matthew) brings Jesus to a high mountain where the devil shows him all the kingdoms of the world. The devil claims this authority has been delivered to him and he can give it to whomever he wishes (v.6). This claim, as Poole notes, is typical of the devil’s promises: he offers what belongs to God alone. In the ancient world, rulers often demanded worship as a sign of submission. The devil is asking Jesus to acknowledge him as the source of earthly power. Jesus refuses by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, a key text from the covenant renewal. The original context: Moses instructs Israel to fear Yahweh, serve him, and swear by his name. Jesus replaces “fear” with “worship” (προσκυνέω, implying falling down in homage) and adds “only” to the command to serve. This alteration is not accidental. Jesus is not merely reciting a proof-text; he is applying the heart of the covenant to the moment. Israel had been tempted to serve other gods in the land; Jesus faces the same temptation but stands firm. Lange notes that the order of temptations differs between Matthew and Luke, but the substance is the same: Jesus resists every attempt to divert his loyalty. The historical pressure of emperor worship in Luke’s day makes this verse especially pointed: Christians must serve God only.
Textual Notes
The Cambridge Bible notes that the words “Get behind me, Satan” should be omitted in Luke 4:8, following manuscripts א (Sinaiticus), B (Vaticanus), D (Bezae), L (Regius), and others. The phrase appears to have been added from Matthew 4:10, where it is securely attested. Gill also notes that several ancient versions (Vulgate, Syriac, Persic, Ethiopic) and some copies of Beza omit it. However, the phrase stands in the majority of later manuscripts and is included in the Textus Receptus. The core quotation from Deuteronomy is not in doubt, and the textual variation does not affect the main point about exclusive worship.
Reception History
This verse has been central to Christian teaching on the first commandment. Early Christians facing Roman imperial cults found in Jesus’ words a clear boundary: worship belongs to God alone. Monastic traditions used it to reinforce vows of poverty and obedience, renouncing worldly power. During the Reformation, both Catholic and Protestant commentators emphasized that Scripture alone defines proper worship. In modern contexts, the verse is cited to challenge the idolatries of nationalism, wealth, and self-fulfillment. The addition of “only” has been seen as a necessary clarification of the covenant, preventing any compromise with the world. Throughout church history, this text has served as a litmus test for where ultimate loyalty lies.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The devil’s offer: Power without the cross. Satan promises all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will worship him. This is a shortcut to glory that bypasses suffering.
- Jesus’ rebuke: “Get behind me, Satan.” With these words (likely added from Matthew in some manuscripts, but present in the received text), Jesus cuts off negotiation. The demand for worship is met with command: leave.
- Scripture’s answer: Exclusive worship. The quotation from Deuteronomy is not a random verse. It is the heart of the Shema, the confession that the Lord alone is God. Jesus adds “only” to underline that no other being deserves our ultimate devotion.
Five-point outline
- The setting: After forty days of fasting, Jesus is hungry and alone. Weakness is the occasion for temptation.
- The proposal: The devil offers immediate gratification of power and glory, with no cost.
- The refusal: Jesus will not entertain the offer. He speaks with authority and indignation.
- The foundation: The word of God, rightly understood and applied, is the weapon Jesus uses. He does not debate the devil’s claim; he cites Scripture as final.
- The aftermath: The devil departs “until a convenient season.” The battle is won, but the war continues. Jesus will face more tests, including Gethsemane and the cross.
Illustration hooks
- A student offered the answer key for a final exam if he will share his notes. The cost of the shortcut is integrity and the loss of genuine learning.
- A professional is told she can get the promotion if she flatters the boss and covers for his errors. The price is her soul, but the promotion looks so good.
- A believer who feels pressure to keep quiet about faith in a secular workplace is offered acceptance and advancement. The temptation is to bow to the spirit of the age.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Can I be a Christian and still pursue success, money, and influence?
- When does a healthy desire for something good become idolatry?
- How do I know whether I am serving God alone or also serving other masters?
Leading a Discussion
This verse is the climax of the temptation narrative. Jesus answers the devil by quoting Scripture, but he does not quote it mechanically. He adapts it to the situation. Why? Because the issue is exclusive allegiance. In a world of competing loyalties, Jesus shows us how to say no.
Discussion questions
- Read Luke 4:5-8 aloud. What does the devil offer Jesus? What is the catch?
- Notice Jesus’ immediate reaction. Why is his response so sharp? What does “Get behind me, Satan” communicate?
- Compare Jesus’ quotation with Deuteronomy 6:13. What words does he change? What does he add? Why might that matter?
- The Greek word for “worship” here is proskuneō, meaning to fall down in homage. The word for “serve” is latreuō, meaning religious service. How do these two words together describe whole-life devotion to God?
- In your own life, what are the “kingdoms of the world” that tempt you, situations where you are offered something good in exchange for your loyalty to God?
- How can memorizing Scripture help you in moments of temptation? What specific verses might you need ready?
- Jesus quoted Scripture against the devil, but he did not misuse it (unlike the devil in v.10-11). What does it take to use the Bible rightly, not as a weapon but as a guide?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Deuteronomy 6:13 | You shall fear Yahweh your God; and you shall serve him, and shall swear by his name. |
| Deuteronomy 10:20 | You shall fear Yahweh your God. You shall serve him. You shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name. |
| I Samuel 7:3 | Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you are returning to Yahweh with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to Yahweh, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” |
| II Kings 19:15 | Hezekiah prayed before Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. |
| Psalms 83:18 | that they may know that you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth. |
| Isaiah 2:11 | The lofty looks of man will be brought low, the arrogance of men will be bowed down, and Yahweh alone will be exalted in that day. |
| Matthew 4:10 | Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’” |
| Matthew 16:23 | But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
5 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that "Get thee behind me, Satan" likely does not belong here and was added from Matthew's account. Since Satan had fully revealed his rebellious character, Jesus saw no need to mention a different kingdom over which Satan had no power; a blunt rebuke was enough.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
But Iesus answered him, and saide, Hence from mee, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him alone thou shalt serue.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that when Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:13, He replaces the word “fear” with “worship,” treating the terms as equivalent in meaning. Christ also adds the word “only” to make explicit the exclusive devotion due to God, thereby clarifying the true sense of the original command.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that the temptations were real but not physical: the devil worked directly yet invisibly upon Jesus' inner spirit. This explains Jesus on the temple pinnacle without leaving the wilderness. The temptations came from an external personal enemy, not from within Jesus Himself, preserving His sinlessness.Lange insists the devil worked directly but invisibly upon Jesus' inner consciousness, not through a visible bodily appearance. This resolves how Jesus could stand on the temple pinnacle without physically leaving the wilderness. The temptations were real external assaults, not thoughts arising from within the Lord.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees Christ's temptation as the direct fulfillment of the promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head. Where Adam fell by one temptation, Christ conquers the tempter through all his attacks, making an immediate recovery of what was lost and turning the tide of the battle.