9. And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee--"and the
glory of them," adds Luke
(Lu 4:6).
But Matthew having already said that this was "showed Him," did not
need to repeat it here. Luke
(Lu 4:6)
adds these other very important clauses, here omitted--"for that is,"
or "has been," "delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give it."
Was this wholly false? That were not like Satan's unusual policy, which
is to insinuate his lies under cover of some truth. What truth, then,
is there here? We answer, Is not Satan thrice called by our Lord
Himself, "the prince of this world"
(Joh 12:31; 14:30; 16:11)?
Does not the apostle call him "the god of this world"
(2Co 4:4)?
And still further, is it not said that Christ came to destroy by His
death "him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil"
(Heb 2:14)?
No doubt these passages only express men's voluntary subjection to the
rule of the wicked one while they live, and his power to surround death
to them, when it comes, with all the terrors of the wages of sin. But
as this is a real and terrible sway, so all Scripture represents men as
righteously sold under it. In this sense he speaks what is not devoid of
truth, when he says, "All this is delivered unto me." But how does he
deliver this "to whomsoever he will?" As employing whomsoever he pleases
of his willing subjects in keeping men under his power. In this case his
offer to our Lord was that of a deputed supremacy commensurate with
his own, though as his gift and for his ends.
if thou wilt fall down and worship me--This was the sole but monstrous
condition. No Scripture, it will be observed, is quoted now, because
none could be found to support so blasphemous a claim. In fact, he has
ceased now to present his temptations under the mask of piety, and he
stands out unblushingly as the rival of God Himself in his claims on the
homage of men. Despairing of success as an angel of light, he throws off
all disguise, and with a splendid bribe solicits divine honor. This
again shows that we are now at the last of the temptations, and that
Matthew's order is the true one.
JFB.
Outline
1 The temptation of Jesus
13 Jesus dwells in Capernaum
17 Jesus begins to preach
18 Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, James and John
23 Jesus heals the sick
Drawing of the Temptation of Jesus Christ by Dore
Important Topics for Bible Study
Quick Reference Map
Map of Galilee and northern Israel
(Click to Enlarge)
Painted Illustration of Jesus Calling James and John
Ancient Customs
Geography
Capernaum
Galilee
Matthew Resources
The New Testament