Bible Commentary

Matthew 4:10

Matthew 4:10

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

Then saith Jesus to him, get thee hence, Satan..... In Lu 4:8 it is "get thee behind me": and so some copies read here, and is expressive of indignation and abhorrence; see Mt 16:23 rebuking his impudence, and detesting his impiety: he had borne his insults and temptations with great patience; he had answered him with mildness and gentleness; but now his behaviour to him was intolerable, which obliged him to show his resentment, exert his power and authority, and rid himself at once of so vile a creature; giving this reason for it;for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

The place referred to is in De 6:13thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him: to fear the Lord, and to worship him, is the same thing. Worship includes both an internal and external reverence of God: the word "only" is not in the original text, but is added by our Lord; and that very justly; partly to express the emphasis which is on the word "him"; and in perfect agreement with the context, which requires it; since it follows,ye shall not go after other Gods.

Moreover, not to take notice of the Septuagint version, in which the word "only" is also added, Josephus , the Jewish historian, referring to this law, says, because God is one, kai dei touton sebesyai monon, "therefore he only is to be worshipped".

And Aben Ezra , a Jewish writer, explaining the last clause in the verse,and thou shalt swear by his name, uses the word "only"; and which indeed, of right, belongs to every clause in it. The meaning of our Lord in citing it is; that since the Lord God is the alone object of worship, it was horrid blasphemy in Satan to desire it might be given to him, and which could not be done without the greatest impiety.

Antiq. Jud. l. 3. c. 5. sect. 5. In Deut. vi.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for Matthew 4:10

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew 4 — OverviewMatthew 4 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleJohn Baptist said concerning Christ, He must increase, but I must decrease; and so it proved. For, after John had baptized Christ, and borne his testimony to him, we hear little more of his ministry; he had…Matthew 4 — OverviewMatthew 4 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeMatthew 4:1, Christ, fasting forty days, is tempted of the devil and ministered unto by angels; Matthew 4:12, He dwells in Capernaum; Matthew 4:17, begins to preach; Matthew 4:18, calls Peter and Andrew, Matthew 4:21.…Matthew 4:1-11Matthew 4:1-11 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe have here the story of a famous duel, fought hand to hand, between Michael and the dragon, the Seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, nay, the serpent himself; in which the seed of the woman suffers,…Matthew 4:1-11Matthew 4:1-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryTHE TEMPTATION. The Father's acceptance of the Lord's consecration of himself for the work of the kingdom does not exclude temptation, but rather necessitates it. Psychologically, the reaction from the ecstasy of joy in…Matthew 4:1-11Matthew 4:1-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe temptation of Christ. I. THE PREPARATION, 1. The Spirit. He was "full of the Holy Ghost" (Luke 4:1). The Spirit had descended from heaven like a dove, and abode upon him. He was now in the full consciousness of…Matthew 4:1-11Matthew 4:1-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe temptation of Jesus. In his baptism our Lord was proclaimed as the Messiah. This must have intensified his feeling of the burden and glory of his vocation. A ferment of emotions must have been stirred in his soul.…