Book of Matthew - Chapter 4 - Verse 10
Meaning
When Jesus said "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve," He was responding to a temptation by Satan in the wilderness. Satan had tried to tempt Jesus by offering Him all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship him. In this verse, Jesus was making it clear that worship should only be directed towards God and not to anyone or anything else. By quoting scripture, Jesus reinforced the importance of serving and worshipping God alone, in line with the commandments. This verse serves as a reminder for believers to stay faithful and devoted to God, and to resist the temptations of worldly power and possessions. It also illustrates Jesus' unwavering commitment to God and His teachings, even in the face of adversity.
Theological Overview
In this verse, Jesus is responding to a temptation posed by Satan, who tries to sway Jesus from fulfilling his divine mission. Jesus quotes from the Old Testament, specifically from Deuteronomy 6:13, where it says, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." By invoking this verse, Jesus affirms the importance of worshiping and serving only God, rather than giving in to the temptations of the world or the enemy. This verse not only showcases Jesus' deep knowledge of scripture but also serves as a powerful reminder for believers to prioritize their devotion to God above all else. By understanding the theological implications of this verse, we are reminded of the significance of remaining faithful and obedient to God, even in the face of temptation and adversity.