King James Version

What Does Luke 4:3 Mean?

Luke 4:3 in the King James Version says “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.”

Luke 4:3 · KJV

Context

1

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

2

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing : and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

3

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

4

And Jesus answered him , saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

5

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

Read Luke 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Satan's first temptation appeals to legitimate physical need, yet seeks to undermine trust in divine providence. The command 'if thou be the Son of God' challenges Christ's identity and invites presumptuous use of divine power. The Greek 'ei' introduces a conditional that Satan knows to be true, making this a test of whether Christ will act independently of the Father's will. Reformed theology sees here Christ's active obedience—His perfect submission where Adam failed. Romans 5:19 contrasts Adam's disobedience with Christ's obedience. Where Israel failed in wilderness testing (Deuteronomy 8:3), Christ succeeds as the true Israel. The temptation to turn stones to bread represents the broader temptation to pursue God's gifts apart from God Himself, to use divine power for self-preservation rather than self-denial.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This temptation occurs after 40 days of fasting in the Judean wilderness, deliberately echoing Israel's 40 years of wilderness testing. The wilderness (Greek 'eremos') was considered the dwelling place of demons in Jewish thought. Jesus's hunger was real—the incarnation meant genuine human limitation and vulnerability. Satan's approach mirrors his strategy in Eden: questioning God's word and goodness, suggesting God is withholding something necessary. First-century Judaism expected Messiah to provide miraculous bread like Moses provided manna, so this temptation had messianic implications. Jesus later performs bread miracles (feeding 5,000 and 4,000), but only in accordance with the Father's timing and purpose, not Satan's prompting.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's refusal to act independently of the Father model proper Christian decision-making?
  2. In what ways are we tempted to use God's gifts or provisions in ways that bypass trust in God Himself?
  3. Why is it significant that Christ met temptation with Scripture rather than divine power?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
καὶ1 of 17

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰπὲ2 of 17

“command”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ3 of 17

“unto him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ4 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διάβολος5 of 17

“the devil”

G1228

a traducer; specially, satan (compare h7854)

Εἰ6 of 17

“If”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

υἱὸς7 of 17

“the Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

εἶ8 of 17

“thou be”

G1488

thou art

τοῦ9 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ10 of 17

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

εἰπὲ11 of 17

“command”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τῷ12 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λίθῳ13 of 17

“stone”

G3037

a stone (literally or figuratively)

τούτῳ14 of 17

“this”

G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

ἵνα15 of 17

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

γένηται16 of 17

“it be made”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἄρτος17 of 17

“bread”

G740

bread (as raised) or a loaf

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 4:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 4:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 4:3Luke 3:22

Test Your Knowledge

Luke 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLuke Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Luke 4 with CommentaryAll Luke ChaptersComplete Luke QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes