Matthew 4:10

“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

Matthew 4:10 is a part of the account of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. This event took place immediately after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and before He began His public ministry. In this passage, Jesus encounters Satan who tempts Him in three different ways, and this verse concludes Jesus’ response to the temptations.

Let’s break down this verse into several key points to gain a deeper understanding:

Context:To understand the significance of Matthew 4:10, it is crucial to consider the context. Jesus had been fasting in the wilderness for forty days and nights when Satan approached Him to tempt Him. Satan’s purpose was to derail Jesus from fulfilling His mission and undermine His identity as the Son of God.

Jesus’ Response:When Satan tempted Jesus by offering Him all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship, Jesus immediately countered with the command to depart from Him. He firmly addressed Satan by saying, “Get thee hence, Satan.” This response highlights Jesus’ unwavering commitment to God and His refusal to compromise His worship and allegiance.

Quoting Scripture:Jesus then supports His response with a reference to the Scriptures, saying, “for it is written.” Here, Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 6:13, which says, “Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.” By using Scripture, Jesus reveals His reliance on the Word of God and demonstrates the importance of aligning His actions with God’s commands.

Worship and Service:The latter part of Matthew 4:10 emphasizes the proper relationship between humanity and God. Jesus quotes the commandment that emphasizes the exclusive worship and service to the Lord. By affirming, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve,” Jesus highlights the fundamental truth that God alone deserves our worship, honor, and service.

This verse carries significant spiritual and practical lessons for believers:

• a. Prioritizing God: Jesus prioritizes the worship and service of God above all else, even when faced with appealing temptations. This serves as a reminder for us to keep God as our primary focus and to resist the distractions and enticements that may divert us from a close relationship with Him.
• b. Dependence on Scripture: Jesus’ use of Scripture in His response to Satan highlights the importance of knowing and meditating on God’s Word. Scripture equips us to discern truth, resist temptation, and live in alignment with God’s will.
• c. Exclusive Worship: Jesus’ statement reinforces the principle that worship is to be directed solely towards God. It serves as a reminder to guard against idolatry and to give God the honor and devotion that He deserves.

In summary, Matthew 4:10 captures Jesus’ response to Satan’s temptation and emphasizes the exclusive worship and service due to God alone. The verse underscores the significance of prioritizing God, relying on Scripture, and giving God the proper place of honor in our lives.