Matthew 4:9

_ _ And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee — “and the glory of them,” adds Luke (Luke 4:6). But Matthew having already said that this was “showed Him,” did not need to repeat it here. Luke (Luke 4:6) adds these other very important clauses, here omitted — “for that is,” or “has been,” “delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give it.” Was this wholly false? That were not like Satan’s unusual policy, which is to insinuate his lies under cover of some truth. What truth, then, is there here? We answer, Is not Satan thrice called by our Lord Himself, “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11)? Does not the apostle call him “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4)? And still further, is it not said that Christ came to destroy by His death “him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14)? No doubt these passages only express men’s voluntary subjection to the rule of the wicked one while they live, and his power to surround death to them, when it comes, with all the terrors of the wages of sin. But as this is a real and terrible sway, so all Scripture represents men as righteously sold under it. In this sense he speaks what is not devoid of truth, when he says, “All this is delivered unto me.” But how does he deliver this “to whomsoever he will?” As employing whomsoever he pleases of his willing subjects in keeping men under his power. In this case his offer to our Lord was that of a deputed supremacy commensurate with his own, though as his gift and for his ends.

_ _ if thou wilt fall down and worship me — This was the sole but monstrous condition. No Scripture, it will be observed, is quoted now, because none could be found to support so blasphemous a claim. In fact, he has ceased now to present his temptations under the mask of piety, and he stands out unblushingly as the rival of God Himself in his claims on the homage of men. Despairing of success as an angel of light, he throws off all disguise, and with a splendid bribe solicits divine honor. This again shows that we are now at the last of the temptations, and that Matthew’s order is the true one.