Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 4:8

"Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;" — Matthew 4:8 (ASV)

Satan offers the kingdoms of the world and their “splendor” without showing their sin. Jesus, however, came to remove sin. Here was a temptation to achieve power by taking a shortcut to fullest messianic authority, sidestepping the Cross and introducing idolatry (see comment on Lk 4:5–8).

Jesus recognized that Satan’s suggestion entailed depriving God of his exclusive claim to worship: neither God’s “son” Israel nor God’s “Son” Jesus may swerve from undivided allegiance to God himself (cf. Exodus 23:20–33). So Jesus responded with a third “it is written” and banished Satan from his presence. In other words, Jesus had in mind from the very beginning of his earthly ministry the combination of royal kingship and suffering servanthood attested at his baptism (see comments on 3:15, 17).