New Testament

Luke 4:8

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Jesus is responding to Satan during the temptation in the wilderness.

Author
Luke the physician
Written
Around AD 60-62
Genre
Gospel and history
Original Audience
Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
CBTClear Bible Translation

Jesus answered, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written: 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.'"

KJVKing James Version

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jesus is responding to Satan during the temptation in the wilderness. He firmly tells Satan to get behind him, asserting his authority and rejecting the devil's influence. Jesus quotes scripture to emphasize that worship and service belong solely to God. This highlights the importance of loyalty to God and the rejection of any distractions or temptations that lead us away from Him. By invoking scripture, Jesus demonstrates the power of God's word in resisting temptation. This moment illustrates the spiritual battle between good and evil, where Jesus stands firm in his commitment to God, setting an example for believers to follow. It reminds us that true worship involves not just reverence but also active service to God, prioritizing Him above all else. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the need to resist temptations that may lead us astray from our devotion to God.

How to apply Luke 4:8 to your life

When faced with temptations or distractions, we can follow Jesus' example by turning to scripture for strength and guidance. Prioritizing our relationship with God helps us resist influences that lead us away from Him. Worship and service should be our focus.

Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Luke 4:8 mean?

In Luke 4:8, Jesus responds to Satan's temptation by asserting that worship and service belong only to God. He emphasizes the importance of rejecting evil influences and remaining loyal to God.

What is the significance of 'Get behind me, Satan' in Luke 4:8?

The phrase 'Get behind me, Satan' signifies Jesus' rejection of temptation and his authority over evil. It shows his determination to prioritize God's will over any distractions.

What does Jesus mean by worship in Luke 4:8?

In Luke 4:8, worship refers to the reverence and devotion that believers owe to God. Jesus highlights that true worship involves both honoring God and serving Him alone.

How does Luke 4:8 relate to resisting temptation?

Luke 4:8 illustrates how Jesus used scripture to resist temptation, showing that turning to God's word can provide strength and guidance in moments of spiritual struggle.

The Book of Luke
Book Summary

The Book of Luke

Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.

Premium

Unlock the full Luke summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.