Luke 4:10
What does Luke 4:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 4:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 4:10 means
Verse 10 records the devil’s appeal to Psalm 91, promising that angels will guard Jesus if he leaps, citing God’s protection. The devil weaponizes Scripture, quoting a true promise but twisting it to justify presumption and spectacle. This tactic shows that even accurate Scripture citations can be misused when divorced from context and trust. The danger is treating divine protection as a circus trick to force God’s hand, rather than resting in God’s timing. Jesus’ response will show the proper posture toward God’s promises: humility, not testing.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee:
KJV
King James Version · 1611For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He will give his angels orders to take care of you:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for it hath been written--To His messengers He will give charge concerning thee, to guard over thee,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For it is written that He hath given his angels charge over thee that they keep thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for it is written, He shall give charge to his angels concerning thee to keep thee;
Context
This verse continues the third temptation by showing the devil’s attempt to validate his challenge with Scripture. It closely precedes Jesus’ rebuttal about not testing the Lord. The flow highlights the adversary’s escalating strategy: moving from physical to worldly to spiritual misapplication of truth. The reader sees how Scripture can be misapplied and that Jesus models correct usage: Scripture as guidance for faithful obedience, not as a license for presumptuous proofs.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 4:3
And the devil said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command this stone that it become bread.
- Psalms 91:11
For he will give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.
- 2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.
- Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?
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