Question about Matthew 4:8-9 and Jesus in the Wilderness?

Question

Matthew 4 describes Jesus' time in the Wilderness, and the temptation of the devil. One of the passages I've never understood, is in verse 9 Satan offers all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus. What is this all about? Could someone explain this?

I mean, are the kingdoms of the worlds Satan's property to give? Is he referring to nations? World-leaders? And if so, what does this say about politicians...? I'd appreciate some clarity.

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'[d]"

Answer 1

When Adam and Eve sinned, Satan then had the "title" rights to their souls. All humans to be born in the future of man's seed would be corrupt. Jesus, although borne of a woman was not fathered by seed of man, but by the Word of God. Satan became the "god" of this world. Satan knew that Jesus would one day rule the world. He thought he may persuade Jesus to worship him instead of God the Father-if so Satan would allow Jesus to rule now-without going to the cross. Satan perhaps thought if hr could tempt Jesus with power and authority, that maybe between the both of them they may be able to defeat God.
Never underestimate the power of Satan. He is the most powerful created being that ever existed. It is easy to see how he could deceive Eve.

Answer 2

The Bible cleary shows that an intelligent ,unseen person has been controlling both men and nations.It says"The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one"And the Bible identifies him,saying "The one called Devil and Satan......is misleading the entire inhabited earth."-1John5:19;Rev.12:9
On the occasion of Satan tempting Jesus,Jesus didn't question Satan's role as the ruler of this world.Think about it.Satan tempted Jesus by offering him "all the kingdoms of the world".Yet would Satan's offer have been a real temptation if Satan was not actually the ruler of these kingdoms?And note,Jesus did not deny that these worldly governments were Satan's,which he would have done if Satan did not have power over them.So,then,Satan is the unseen ruler of the world!The Bible,in fact,calls him,"the god of this system of things'(2Cor.4:4).Yet,how did such a wicked person ever come into this powerful position.?
The one who had become Satan had been an angel created by God,but he became envious of God's position.He challenged God's rightful rulership.To this end he used a serpent as a mouthpiece to deceive the first woman,Eve and thus was able to get her and her husband,Adam,to do his bidding rather than obey God.(Ge.3:1-6;2Cor.11:3)He also claimed he could turn all of Adam and Eve's yet unborn offspring away from God.So God allowed time for Satan to try to prove his claim.
Significantly,Satan is not alone in his rulership of the world.He was successful in persuading some of the other angels to join him in rebellion against God.These became demons,his spirit accomplices.
These unseen,wicked rulers are determined to mislead all mankind,turning them away from the worship of God

Answer 3

Satan is the illegitimate ruler of this world. He stole it from Adam when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden. Yes, from that standpoint, Satan had the right to offer them to Jesus. Every time that Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus answered Satan back with Scripture from the Old Testament. Satan finally got frustrated with Jesus and left him alone. Our only defensive weapons against the devil are the word of God and the blood of Jesus.

Answer 4

Some of the other answers hit on this pretty well.

God runs his kingdom on "love" -- the choice to serve others, rather than control them to serve you.

Governments and wordly political systems rely to some degree on "power" -- the ability to make people conform to the established rules even when they don't want to. This is a good thing sometimes (the government enforces "justice") but is also very very prone to abuse.

The character of Satan is very much about power and forcing others to obey. Thus, he's aligned with the political structures and "man's way to fix things and get things done."

When Jesus came the first time, instead of exploiting his role as "Son" in the Trinity and wielding power over others to get things done without any sacrifice by himself, he instead chose to serve, suffer, and eventually die. In light of that choice, God promises that Jesus has now been granted authority over everything, for his imminent return.

What Satan is offering Jesus here is the ability to "be in charge" and "have authority" WITHOUT having had to serve, suffer, and die. He could have the power to do what he wanted, make what good changes he wanted, be in charge, without having to give himself first. He could have skipped the whole mess and paid nothing for the restoration of the world. The only price Satan asks is his allegiance.

So the temptation was to wield power without paying any cost whatsoever. We know what happens when people have power and yet no sort of self-discipline, restriction, compassion, or oversight from others -- power is abused. Power also cannot change people's hearts, while sacrifice CAN do so.

Since Jesus came to enable people's hearts the opportunity to turn back to God, he refused the road to quick power and enforcement of God's will.

(The first temptation involved Jesus accepting the limitations of his human body and not placing its needs above God; the last involved his not abusing his power as God's son in order to simply wow the crowds and win their approval.)

Answer 5

Basically, the devil can tempt anybody right now, thats why things are so messed up. The world is falling apart. The devil has almost free reign to do what he wants. The devil was telling God he would stop doing what he is doing, If Jesus would worship him.
He got mad, Jesus did not worship him, he now throws a fit like a child, and wants to mess everything up.
Worship only Jesus Christ.

Answer 6

You must remember that lies are Satan's mother tongue. All the kingdoms of the world were not Satan's to give. Satan was lying to try and get Jesus to sin and become imperfect so he couldn't die for our sins.

John 8:44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

(I'm not saying you're the son of the devil, I'm just pointing out this verse)

Answer 7

i have a general understanding and belief regarding your question. remember, Satan was trying to tempt Jesus. Jesus was the owner of the World; so, what could Satan offer to Him that was so different. My belief...Satan was trying to offer to Jesus the only thing he could offer..to do evil. an offer to globally participate in doing evil.

about politicians: they perform good and evil. some seek evil primarily...and some seek righteousness. however, globally, evil is forcefully on the move, and obviously, the political world leads this movement.

of course, one day this will cease. I'm glad Jesus declined.

Answer 8

well, it has been talked about how satan was kicked out of heaven when he rebelled and was thrown out of heaven to earth to dwell. the matter of control is a delicate one, i think. we'd be discussing God's power and will and that's something that people don't have a full understanding of. so, to try my best at my understanding...yes, figuratively, satan has his boot on the neck of the world.

that doesn't have to detract from God being almighty, as some might suggest. and that's where this subject gets touchy. think about it...satan probably offers the world to lots of people if they just bow down and worship him. and to worship him, it is not required that you are even aware that you are. doing anything but worshipping Christ (since that is the only way to be saved) is good enough for him.

it really doesn't say anything about politicians. we have to try to remember (and this is almost impossibe, and again great for satan) people are not the enemy. i'm sure politicians and people in positions of power are subject to a great deal of influence by satan...after all, it's a great way to affect a lot of people by working on only one. that's why it's so important (and necessary) to question anyone and everyone in the public eye. celebrities, world leaders, major companies...

but be careful...it's very easy to run with this as well. once you start to think like this, looking at cartoon characters and your home appliances with suspicion, you can easily go crazy and this is also good for satan. there is hope in all of this...that even if satan is over the world, God is over satan. it also says in the bible that governments are on God's shoulders. God's got his boot on satan's neck and it's only a matter of time for him. (from our perspective as humanity) trust in Christ to lead you and pull you from the mess. Psalm 91...

Answer 9

Lucifer was "loosed" on earth and has infiltrated himself into it. He was trying to con Jesus to join him in his joust with God. He was referring to power in a worldly sense. Remember too that Satan is a lier and that is one of the best reasons not to be tempted by him.

Answer 10

because satan was given dominion over the earth for a time
look around you and you will see his handy work
he tempted Jesus just as he tempts all of us everyday
Jesus was a man