Luke 4:12

Luke 4:12, in plain English

Jesus answered, 'Scripture also says: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' He used the Bible to correct the devil's misuse of the Bible.

Why it's here

Jesus shows us something crucial: the way to handle Scripture taken out of context is to bring in more Scripture that restores the full picture.

Who's speaking

Jesus corrects the devil's twisted use of Scripture with Scripture itself.

Where it sits in the story

The devil threw the Bible at Jesus, and Jesus threw it right back—properly interpreted. True faith doesn't test God; it trusts Him. And Jesus knew the difference.

The scholarly reading

Jesus counters with Deuteronomy 6:16: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test (ouk ekpeiraseis kyrion ton theon sou).' He interprets Scripture with Scripture, demonstrating proper hermeneutical method.

Language and setting

Deuteronomy 6:16 references Massah (Exodus 17:1-7), where Israel tested God by demanding water as proof of His presence. Jesus refuses to repeat Israel's sin of manufacturing crises to test divine faithfulness.

Voice

Jesus responds with a Scripture that properly contextualizes the devil's misused passage.

Significance

Jesus shows how to handle twisted Scripture—with rightly applied Scripture. Where Israel tested God at Massah, Jesus trusts Him. The devil's Bible quiz is defeated by the Bible's own Author.

10For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You carefully,

11and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

12But Jesus answered, “It also says, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

13When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

14Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding region.

Read all of Luke 4 — Jesus reads from Isaiah in his hometown synagogue and claims the prophecy is fulfilled in himself. The congregation tries to throw him off a cliff.