Luke 4:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

NIV: Jesus answered, 'It is said: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.''

NASB: And Jesus answered and said to him, 'It has been stated, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE Lord YOUR God TO THE TEST.’?'

CSB: And Jesus answered him, "It is said: Do not test the Lord your God."

NLT: Jesus responded, 'The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’ '

KJV: And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

NKJV: And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

Satan has been tempting Jesus in a moment of hunger and loneliness (Luke 4:1–8). These enticements vary, but all center on Jesus stepping away from God's will in favor of something easier, quicker, or more comfortable. Christ resisted all such attempts. He submitted to God the Father and cited Scripture. In one of the temptations, the Devil himself quoted the Bible, twisting the words and their context (Luke 4:9–11). His suggestion was for Jesus to jump off the highest point of the temple, claiming that God had promised to keep Him safe no matter what He did.

Once again, Jesus quotes from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. This reference closely follows the passage Jesus cited when refusing to worship Satan (Luke 4:8; Deuteronomy 6:13). The words are Moses' reminder that God's people ought not "put [Him] to the test" (Deuteronomy 6:16). Moses refers to an incident where Israel essentially "dared" God to let them die of thirst, rather than trust Him to provide for their needs (Exodus 17:1–7).

Had Jesus jumped, God would likely have spared Him, just as God provided for the stubborn Israelites. However, that act would have short-circuited the plan for mankind's salvation (Matthew 16:21). Jesus doesn't doubt that God would keep Him safe; rather, He trusts God the Father enough not to attempt to force His hand.

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.