John Gill Commentary Luke 4:6

John Gill Commentary

Luke 4:6

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Luke 4:6

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"And 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." — Luke 4:6 (ASV)

And the devil said to him, all this power will I give you ,
&c.]. That is, all the kingdoms of the world, and all the government and jurisdiction over them:

and the glory of them;
the riches, honours, and grandeur belonging to them:

for that is delivered to me:
so far he spoke modestly, in that he owned an original, superior governor of them, by whom he pretended they were transferred to him; but lied, in that he suggested they were put into his hands by him, who had the supreme power over them; and that he acted by his constitution and appointment, as a deputy under him; when what power he had, as the God of the world, was by usurpation, and not by designation of God; and at most only by permission: and least of all was it true what follows;

and to whomsoever I will I give it;
or "these", as the Vulgate Latin reads; that is, these kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; when so to do is the peculiar and sole prerogative of God: nor can Satan dispose of the goods of a single man, nor of a herd of swine, nor enter into them without leave from God.