Luke 4:6
What does Luke 4:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 4:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 4:6 means
Verse 6 contains the devil’s offer: he claims authority and glory over the world, saying it has been given to him and he can give it to whom he wishes. The tempter presents a counterfeit claim of power, hinting at demonic influence over worldly systems. While the devil’s assertion reflects the fallen order’s bondage to evil, it also exposes the deceit: such power appears attractive but is ultimately illegitimate and morally corrupt. The temptation pressures Jesus to accept a tainted path to accomplish his mission apart from the Father’s will and the cross.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the Evil One said, I will give you authority over all these, and the glory of them, for it has been given to me, and I give it to anyone at my pleasure.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the Devil said to him, `To thee I will give all this authority, and their glory, because to me it hath been delivered, and to whomsoever I will, I do give it;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he said to him: To thee will I give all this power and the glory of them. For to me they are delivered: and to whom I will, I give them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the devil said to him, I will give thee all this power, and their glory; for it is given up to me, and to whomsoever I will I give it.
Context
This verse explains the basis of the second temptation—the devil’s claim to confer worldly authority. It follows the failed test about bread and precedes the offer to worship in return for power. By framing human authority as delegated to the devil, Luke contrasts God’s kingdom with worldly rule. The passage prepares readers for Jesus’ decisive refusal, reinforcing that Messiahship will be achieved through obedience and sacrificial love, not by capitulating to evil’s shortcuts.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
- 1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one.
- Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
- Isaiah 5:14
Therefore Sheol hath enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them, descend into it.
- 2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.
- 1 Peter 1:24
For, All flesh is as grass, And all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth:
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