Luke 4:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

NIV: they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.''

NASB: and, ‘ON their hands they will lift YOU UP, SO THAT YOU DO NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’?'

CSB: andthey will support you with their hands,so that you will not strikeyour foot against a stone."

NLT: And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ '

KJV: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

NKJV: and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

This continues a quote from Scripture, spoken by Satan himself. After Jesus responds to other temptations by citing the Bible, the Devil uses manipulated, out-of-context quotes of the Old Testament. Here, he suggests that if Jesus deliberately jumps from the top of the temple complex (Luke 4:9–10), God's promise means He will be spared.

Of course, none of God's promises come outside the context of His will. The reference cited by Satan (Psalm 91:11–12) doesn't mean God-followers can act carelessly. Jesus will respond as He does all other temptations: He commits to following God's timing, and again references Scripture which truly addresses this situation (Luke 4:12; Deuteronomy 6:16). Jesus won't deny that God would have intervened; He rejects the idea of presuming on God's will.

In rejecting this temptation, Jesus will refuse to "test" God by arrogantly telling Him how He should act. He won't skip the suffering of the cross by prematurely revealing Himself as Messiah to the entire world.

Luke 4:1–13 describes Jesus' temptation by Satan. During forty days of fasting, the Devil entices Him using offers of comfort, power, and prestige. In each case, Jesus responds with Scripture and a commitment to God's will. This series of events is also recorded in Matthew 4:1–11 and Mark 1:12–13. While Matthew's account implies an explicit order for these temptations, Luke's does not.

Jesus is taken into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. While fasting there, He is tempted by Satan. These temptations share an element of ignoring God in favor of what seems easier or quicker. Jesus resists all of these, citing Scripture as He does. When Jesus returns, He preaches and heals to great publicity in Judea and Galilee. While His hometown responds with stubborn skepticism, others are eager to hear His teaching and experience His miraculous power.

Chapter 3 explained how John the Baptist preached to prepare others to receive Jesus Christ. Luke then provided Jesus' earthly ancestry. Chapter 4 begins with Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. He returns to preach and perform healing miracles in Judea and Galilee. Chapter 5 shows Him calling disciples and demonstrating further proofs of His authority.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 4/28/2024 6:01:23 PM