Luke 4:5

Luke 4:5, in plain English

Then the devil took Jesus to a high place and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant.

Why it's here

This was the temptation of power—a shortcut to ruling the world without suffering. The devil was offering Jesus the throne without the cross.

Who's speaking

Luke describes the second temptation the devil presented to Jesus.

Where it sits in the story

In one breathtaking moment, every empire, every kingdom, every throne flashes before Jesus' eyes. 'All of this could be yours,' the devil whispers. 'No cross required.'

The scholarly reading

The devil takes Jesus to a high place (eis hypsos) and shows Him all the world's kingdoms (pasas tas basileias tēs oikoumenēs) in a single instant (en stigmē chronou). The vision is compressed into a moment of time.

Language and setting

Luke uniquely specifies 'in an instant,' suggesting a supernatural vision rather than literal sight. The offer of worldly kingdoms tempts Jesus to achieve His messianic rule through allegiance to evil rather than through the cross.

Voice

Luke narrates the devil's second temptation in his ordering.

Significance

The devil shows Jesus every kingdom on earth in a flash—a dazzling display of global power. The temptation offers a shortcut to the throne that bypasses the cross.

3The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

4But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

5Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.

6“I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.

7So if You worship me, it will all be Yours.”

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.