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Book of Luke - Chapter 4 - Verse 9

4:9
And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:

Meaning

When Jesus was brought to Jerusalem and set on a pinnacle of the temple, it was a test of his divinity and his relationship with God. The verse presents a challenge to Jesus to prove himself as the Son of God by performing a miraculous feat of casting himself down from the pinnacle. This event highlights the temptation for Jesus to use his divine power for his own benefit and to test God's protection. However, Jesus resists this temptation and responds by quoting scripture, emphasizing the importance of not putting God to the test. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of faith and trust in God's plan, even in the face of challenges and temptations. It also showcases Jesus' unwavering commitment to fulfilling God's will and his refusal to seek glory or recognition through spectacular displays of power.

Theological Overview

In the Gospel of Matthew, this verse recounts a moment where the Devil tempts Jesus by telling him to throw himself down from the pinnacle of the temple to test if he is truly the Son of God. Some theological interpretations suggest that this temptation by the Devil was aimed at making Jesus prove his divinity through a miraculous act, rather than relying on his faith in God. The word "pinnacle" used in this verse refers to the highest point of the temple, symbolizing a place of prominence and importance. The choice of location for this temptation may have been significant, as the temple was a central religious and cultural symbol for the Jewish people. By placing Jesus on the pinnacle of the temple, the Devil was challenging Jesus to perform a spectacular act that would establish his identity as the Son of God in the eyes of the people. However, Jesus responds to this temptation by quoting scripture and reaffirming his trust in God's protection, rather than giving in to the Devil's request.

American Standard Version

And he led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
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