The Meaning of Matthew 4:8 Explained

Matthew 4:8

KJV: Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

YLT: Again doth the Devil take him to a very high mount, and doth shew to him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them,

Darby: Again the devil takes him to a very high mountain, and shews him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory,

ASV: Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

What is the context of Matthew 4:8?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Again,  the devil  taketh  him  up  into  an exceeding  high  mountain,  and  sheweth  him  all  the kingdoms  of the world,  and  the glory  of them; 

What does Matthew 4:8 Mean?

Study Notes

world
The Greek word kosmos means "order," "arrangement," and so, with the Greeks, "beauty"; for order and arrangement in the sense of system are at the bottom of the Greek conception of beauty.
When used in the N.T. of humanity, the "world" of men, it is organized humanity-- humanity in families, tribes, nations--which is meant. The word for chaotic, unorganized humanity--the mere mass of man is thalassa, the "sea" of men (e.g.) Revelation 13:1 . For "world" (kosmos) in the bad ethical sense, "world system" John 7:7 .
Kosmos, Summary: In the sense of the present world-system, the ethically bad sense of the word, refers to the "order," "arrangement," under which Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his cosmic principle of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure. Matthew 4:8 ; Matthew 4:9 ; John 12:31 ; John 14:30 ; John 18:36 ; Ephesians 2:2 ; Ephesians 6:12 ; 1 John 2:15-17 . This world- system is imposing and powerful with armies and fleets; is often outwardly religious, scientific, cultured, and elegant; but, seething with national and commercial rivalries and ambitions, is upheld in any real crisis only by armed force, and is dominated by Satanic principles.

Context Summary

Matthew 4:1-11 - Tempted By The Devil
Then marks the close connection between the heavenly voice of the baptism and the fiery ordeal of the forty days. Notice that temptation is not in itself sin; only when the evil suggestions of the tempter are harbored do they become sin. Notice also that all around us is a dark region of evil, out of which temptations arise. Whenever you have received a conspicuous revelation, you may expect a time of testing. This is God's way of rooting the trees in the soil, and burning in the fair colors which He paints on the vessels that are being made meet for His use.
The first temptation was that our Lord should use for His physical needs the power which had been entrusted to Him, as Son of man, for the service of men. The second was an effort to incite Him to act presumptuously, at the dictate of self-will and apart from the clear guidance of God's Spirit. The third was to attain the throne by a wrong method. It was only by the cross that He could win power to rule and save. See Hebrews 4:15-16; Hebrews 5:8-9. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 4

1  Jesus, fasting forty days,
3  is tempted by the devil and ministered unto by angels
12  He dwells in Capernaum;
17  begins to preach;
18  calls Peter and Andrew,
21  James and John;
23  teaches and heals all the diseased

Greek Commentary for Matthew 4:8

And showeth him [και δεικνυσιν αυτωι]
This wonderful panorama had to be partially mental and imaginative, since the devil caused to pass in review “all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.” But this fact does not prove that all phases of the temptations were subjective without any objective presence of the devil. Both could be true. Here again we have the vivid historical present The devil now has Christ upon a very high mountain whether the traditional Quarantania or not. It was from Nebo‘s summit that Moses caught the vision of the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 34:1-3). Luke (Luke 4:5) says that the whole panorama was “in a moment of time” and clearly psychological and instantaneous. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 4:8

Matthew 4:9 All these things will I give thee [ταυτα σοι παντα δωσω]
The devil claims the rule of the world, not merely of Palestine or of the Roman Empire. “The kingdoms of the cosmos” (Matthew 4:8) were under his sway. This word for world brings out the orderly arrangement of the universe while η οικουμενη — hē oikoumenē presents the inhabited earth. Jesus does not deny the grip of the devil on the world of men, but the condition (εαν — ean and aorist subjunctive, second class undetermined with likelihood of determination), was spurned by Jesus. As Matthew has it Jesus is plainly to “fall down and worship me” (πεσων προκυνησηις μοι — pesōn prokunēsēis moi), while Luke (Luke 4:7) puts it, “worship before me” (ενωπιον εμου — enōpion emou), a less offensive demand, but one that really involved worship of the devil. The ambition of Jesus is thus appealed to at the price of recognition of the devil‘s primacy in the world. It was compromise that involved surrender of the Son of God to the world ruler of this darkness. “The temptation was threefold: to gain a temporal, not a spiritual, dominion; to gain it at once; and to gain it by an act of homage to the ruler of this world, which would make the self-constituted Messiah the vice-regent of the devil and not of God” (McNeile). [source]
Luke 4:5 The world [της οικουμενης]
The inhabited world. In Matthew 4:8 it is του κοσμου — tou kosmou a moment of time Only in Luke and the word στιγμη — stigmē nowhere else in the N.T. (from στιζω — stizō to prick, or puncture), a point or dot. In Demosthenes, Aristotle, Plutarch. Like our “second” of time or tick of the clock. This panorama of all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them in a moment of time was mental, a great feat of the imagination (a mental satanic “movie” performance), but this fact in no way discredits the idea of the actual visible appearance of Satan also. This second temptation in Luke is the third in Matthew‘s order. Luke‘s order is geographical (wilderness, mountain, Jerusalem). Matthew‘s is climacteric (hunger, nervous dread, ambition). There is a climax in Luke‘s order also (sense, man, God). There is no way to tell the actual order. [source]
Luke 4:6 And the glory of them [και την δοχαν αυτων]
Matthew 4:8 has this in the statement of what the devil did, not what he said.For it hath been delivered unto me (οτι εμοι παραδεδοται — hoti emoi paradedotai). Perfect passive indicative. Satan here claims possession of world power and Jesus does not deny it. It may be due to man‘s sin and by God‘s permission. Jesus calls Satan the ruler of this world (John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11).To whomsoever I will Present subjunctive with αν — an in an indefinite relative sentence. This audacious claim, if allowed, makes one wonder whether some of the world rulers are not, consciously or unconsciously, agents of the devil. In several American cities there has been proven a definite compact between the police and the underworld of crime. But the tone of Satan here is one of superiority to Jesus in world power. He offers him a share in it on one condition. [source]
John 12:31 The judgment [κρισις]
No article, “A judgment.” The next few days will test this world. The prince of this world This phrase here, descriptive of Satan as in possession of the evil world, occurs again in John 14:30; John 16:11. In the temptations Satan claims power over the world and offers to share it with Jesus (Matthew 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8). Jesus did not deny Satan‘s power then, but here proclaims final victory over him. Shall be cast out Future passive of εκβαλλω — ekballō Note εχω — exō clean out. The Book of Revelation also proclaims final victory over Satan. [source]
Romans 3:23 The glory of God [τῆς δόξης τοῦ Θεοῦ]
Interpretations vary greatly. The glory of personal righteousness; that righteousness which God judges to be glory; the image of God in man; the glorying or boasting of righteousness before God; the approbation of God; the state of future glory. The dominant meanings of δόξα in classical Greek are notion, opinion, conjecture, repute. See on Revelation 1:6. In biblical usage: 1. Recognition, honor, Philemon 1:11; 1 Peter 1:7. It is joined with τιμή honor 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 2:7, Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 1:17. Opposed to ἀτιμὶα dishonor 1 Corinthians 11:14, 1 Corinthians 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:43; 2 Corinthians 6:8. With ζητέω toseek, 1 Thessalonians 2:6; John 5:44; John 7:18. With λαμβάνω toreceive, John 5:41, John 5:44. With δίδωμι togive, Luke 17:18; John 9:24. In the ascriptive phrase glory be to, Luke 2:14, and ascriptions in the Epistles. Compare Luke 14:10. 2. The glorious appearance which attracts the eye, Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:6; Luke 12:27. Hence parallel with εἰκών image μορφή form ὁμοίωμα likeness εἶδος appearancefigure, Romans 1:23; Psalm 17:15; Numbers 12:8. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The glory of God is used of the aggregate of the divine attributes and coincides with His self-revelation, Exodus 33:22; compare πρόσωπον face Exodus 33:23. Hence the idea is prominent in the redemptive revelation (Isaiah 60:3; Romans 6:4; Romans 5:2). It expresses the form in which God reveals Himself in the economy of salvation (Romans 9:23; 1 Timothy 1:11; Ephesians 1:12). It is the means by which the redemptive work is carried on; for instance, in calling, 2 Peter 1:3; in raising up Christ and believers with Him to newness of life, Romans 6:4; in imparting strength to believers, Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11; as the goal of Christian hope, Romans 5:2; Romans 8:18, Romans 8:21; Titus 2:13. It appears prominently in the work of Christ - the outraying of the Father's glory (Hebrews 1:3), especially in John. See John 1:14; John 2:11, etc. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The sense of the phrase here is: they are coming short of the honor or approbation which God bestows. The point under discussion is the want of righteousness. Unbelievers, or mere legalists, do not approve themselves before God by the righteousness which is of the law. They come short of the approbation which is extended only to those who are justified by faith. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Hebrews 2:18 In that [εν ωι]
Literally, “In which” (= εν τουτωι εν ωι — en toutōi en hōi in that in which), a causal idea, though in Romans 14:22 εν ωι — en hōi means “wherein.” Hath suffered Second perfect active indicative of πασχω — paschō permanent part of Christ‘s experience. Being tempted First aorist passive participle of πειραζω — peirazō The temptation to escape the shame of the Cross was early and repeatedly presented to Christ, by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:8-11), by Peter in the spirit of Satan (Matthew 16:22.), in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), and caused intense suffering to Jesus (Luke 22:44; Hebrews 5:8). He is able This word strikes the heart of it all. Christ‘s power to help is due not merely to his deity as God‘s Son, but also to his humanity without which he could not sympathize with us (Hebrews 4:15). To succour First aorist active infinitive of the old compound verb βοητεω — boētheō Them that are tempted Dative plural of the articular participle (present passive) of πειραζω — peirazō These Jewish Christians were daily tempted to give up Christ, to apostatize from Christianity. Jesus understands himself (αυτος — autos) their predicament and is able to help them to be faithful. [source]
Revelation 1:5 The ruler of the kings of the earth [ο αρχων των βασιλεων της γης]
Jesus by his resurrection won lordship over the kings of earth (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16), what the devil offered him by surrender (Matthew 4:8.). [source]
Revelation 21:10 He carried me away in the Spirit [απηνεγκεν με εν πνευματι]
See same language in Revelation 17:7 when John received a vision of the Harlot City in a wilderness. Here it is “to a mountain great and high” So it was with Ezekiel (Ezekiel 40:2) and so the devil took Jesus (Matthew 4:8). It was apparently not Mount Zion (Revelation 14:1), for the New Jerusalem is seen from this mountain. “The Seer is carried thither ‹in spirit‘ (cf. Revelation 1:10; Revelation 4:1); the Angel‘s δευρο — deuro is a και εδειχεν μοι — sursum cor to which his spirit under the influence of the ‹Spirit of revelation‘ (Ephesians 1:17) at once responds” (Swete). [source]
Revelation 1:6 Glory and dominion [ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος]
Rev., correctly, rendering the two articles, “the glory and the dominion.” The articles express universality: all glory; that which everywhere and under every form represents glory and dominion. The verb be (the glory) is not in the text. We may render either as an ascription, be, or as a confession, is. The glory is His. Δόξα glorymeans originally opinion or judgment. In this sense it is not used in Scripture. In the sacred writers always of a good or favorable opinion, and hence praise, honor, glory (Luke 14:10; Hebrews 3:3; 1 Peter 5:4). Applied to physical objects, as light, the heavenly bodies (Acts 22:11; 1 Corinthians 15:40). The visible brightness in manifestations of God (Luke 2:9; Acts 7:55; Luke 9:32; 2 Corinthians 3:7). Magnificence, dignity (Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:6). Divine majesty or perfect excellence, especially in doxologies, either of God or Christ (1 Peter 4:11; Judges 1:25; Revelation 4:9, Revelation 4:11; Matthew 16:27; Mark 10:37; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4). The glory or majesty of divine grace (Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 1:12, Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 1:18; 1 Timothy 1:11). The majesty of angels (Luke 9:26; Judges 1:8; 2 Peter 2:10). The glorious condition of Christ after accomplishing His earthly work, and of the redeemed who share His eternal glory (Luke 24:26; John 17:5; Philemon 3:21; 1 Timothy 3:16; Romans 8:18, Romans 8:21; Romans 9:23; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 1:27).| Trench remarks upon the prominence of the doxological element in the highest worship of the Church as contrasted with the very subordinate place which it often occupies in ours. “We can perhaps make our requests known unto God, and this is well, for it is prayer; but to give glory to God, quite apart from anything to be directly gotten by ourselves in return, this is better, for it is adoration.” Dr. John Brown in his Memoir of his father, one of the very finest biographical sketches in English literature, records a formula used by him in closing his prayers on specially solemn occasions: “And now unto Thee, O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the one Jehovah and our God, we would - as is most meet - with the Church on earth and the Church in heaven, ascribe all honor and glory, dominion and majesty, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen” (“Horae Subsecivae”). Compare the doxologies in |1 Peter 4:11|; |Galatians 1:5|; |Revelation 4:9|, |Revelation 4:11|; |Revelation 5:13|; |Revelation 7:12|; |Judges 1:25|; |1 Chronicles 29:11|.|Forever and ever ( εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων )|Lit., unto the ages of the ages. For the phrase compare Galatians 1:5; Hebrews 13:21; 1 Peter 4:11. It occurs twelve times in Revelation, but not in John's Gospel or Epistles. It is the formula of eternity.|Amen ( ἀμὴν )|The English word is a transcription of the Greek and of the Hebrew. A verbal adjective, meaning firm, faithful. Hence ὁ ἀμὴν , the Amen, applied to Christ (Revelation 3:14). It passes into an adverbial sense by which something is asserted or confirmed. Thus often used by Christ, verily. John alone uses the double affirmation, verily, verily. See on John 1:51; see on John 10:1.| [source]
Revelation 1:5 The first-born of the dead [ο πρωτοτοκος των νεκρων]
A Jewish Messianic title (Psalm 89:27) and as in Colossians 1:18 refers to priority in the resurrection to be followed by others. See Luke 2:7 for the word.The ruler of the kings of the earth (ο αρχων των βασιλεων της γης — ho archōn tōn basileōn tēs gēs). Jesus by his resurrection won lordship over the kings of earth (Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16), what the devil offered him by surrender (Matthew 4:8.).Unto him that loveth us Dative of the articular present (not aorist αγαπησαντι — agapēsanti) active participle of αγαπαω — agapaō in a doxology to Christ, the first of many others to God and to Christ (Revelation 1:6; Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12.; Revelation 7:10, Revelation 7:12, etc.). For the thought see John 3:16.Loosed (λυσαντι — lusanti). First aorist active participle of λυω — luō (Aleph A C), though some MSS. (P Q) read λουσαντι — lousanti (washed), a manifest correction. Note the change of tense. Christ loosed us once for all, but loves us always.By his blood As in Revelation 5:9. John here as in the Gospel and Epistles states plainly and repeatedly the place of the blood of Christ in the work of redemption. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 4:8 mean?

Again takes Him the devil to a mountain high exceedingly and shows to Him all the kingdoms of the world the glory of them
Πάλιν παραλαμβάνει αὐτὸν διάβολος εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν λίαν καὶ δείκνυσιν αὐτῷ πάσας τὰς βασιλείας τοῦ κόσμου τὴν δόξαν αὐτῶν

Πάλιν  Again 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πάλιν  
Sense: anew, again.
παραλαμβάνει  takes 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: παραλαμβάνω  
Sense: to take to, to take with one’s self, to join to one’s self.
διάβολος  devil 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: διάβολος  
Sense: prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely.
ὄρος  a  mountain 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄρος  
Sense: a mountain.
ὑψηλὸν  high 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὑψηλός  
Sense: high, lofty.
λίαν  exceedingly 
Parse: Adverb
Root: λίαν  
Sense: greatly, exceedingly, exceedingly beyond measure.
δείκνυσιν  shows 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δείκνυμι 
Sense: to show, expose to the eyes.
αὐτῷ  to  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
βασιλείας  kingdoms 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: βασιλεία  
Sense: royal power, kingship, dominion, rule.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
κόσμου  world 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κόσμος  
Sense: an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government.
δόξαν  glory 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δόξα  
Sense: opinion, judgment, view.
αὐτῶν  of  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.