Luke 4:8

Luke 4:8, in plain English

Jesus shot back with Scripture: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.' There is no negotiation when it comes to who you worship.

Why it's here

This verse comes from the heart of Israel's most important prayer—the declaration that God alone is worthy of worship. Jesus would not bend, not even for the whole world.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks the ultimate non-negotiable truth.

Where it sits in the story

The whole world on one side, and God on the other. Jesus doesn't hesitate for even a second. Worship belongs to God alone, and no offer in the universe can change that.

The scholarly reading

Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:13: 'Worship (proskynēseis) the Lord your God and serve (latreuseis) Him only (monō).' The exclusive monotheistic command directly dismantles the devil's proposal.

Language and setting

Deuteronomy 6:13 comes from the Shema context—Israel's foundational confession of God's oneness. Jesus' response reaffirms the most fundamental truth of Jewish faith against the ultimate idolatrous temptation.

Voice

Jesus responds with the Torah's most foundational command.

Significance

Jesus meets the devil's grandest offer with Scripture's simplest truth: God alone deserves worship. No kingdom, no power, no shortcut is worth compromising this fundamental reality.

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.”

8But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

9Then the devil led Him to Jerusalem and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down from here.

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

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.