Luke 4:12
What does Luke 4:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 4:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 4:12 means
Jesus answers in verse 12: 'It is said, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.' He refuses to test God and thus declines the devil’s bait. This reply cites Deuteronomy, teaching proper reverence; it interprets the Psalm in its covenantal context rather than as a pretext for a daring exhibition. Jesus models the right balance between faith and presumption: trust God but do not force him to prove himself. The Messiah’s reliance on Scripture shows that holy trust avoids manipulation and rests in God’s wise sovereignty and timing.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Jesus made answer and said to him, It is said in the Writings, You may not put the Lord your God to the test.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Jesus answering said to him--`It hath been said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Jesus answering said to him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt [the] Lord thyGod.
Context
This verse is the decisive end to the three temptations, showcasing Jesus’ consistent defense with Scripture. It complements earlier responses about sustenance and worship. The chapter now moves from testing to victory: the devil departs, and Jesus begins his Galilean ministry. The reader is meant to see this wilderness victory as foundational—Jesus conquers temptation by aligning with Scripture, demonstrating how his ministry will proceed in authority and obedience.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 95:9
When your fathers tempted me, Proved me, and saw my work.
- Hebrews 3:8
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, Like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness,
- Psalms 106:14
But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.
- 1 Corinthians 10:9
Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents.
- Malachi 3:15
and now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape.
- Matthew 4:7
Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.
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