Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil takes him up into an exceeding high mountain, and shows him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; I. The PREPARATION for this temptation. Satan suits the external circumstances to the temptation, and draws his snare from them. All the senses may be sources of temptation, but chief amongst them is the eye. It is more closely allied to the imagination than the other senses, and feeds it with objects. II. The OFFER. 1. The altered form of the temptation. He did not preface his assault with the confession of doubt or flattery, "If Thou be the Son of God." Perhaps he felt the incongruity of such a form of address when the condition he proposed was an act of adoration to himself; or he no longer explored Christ's Divinity. 2. The passion appealed to — the most powerful — the inordinate love of possessing. Satan offered to resign his power in this world and the next. III. The CONDITION. IV. This is a REAL temptation to Christ. 1. A warning against worldliness. 2. That such an act should be suggested to Christ may prevent those who are troubled with horrid thoughts from despair. (W. H. Hatchings, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; |
    |