Luke 4:12

12 "Yes," said Jesus, "and it's also written, 'Don't you dare tempt the Lord your God.'"

Luke 4:12 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 4:12

And Jesus answering said unto him, it is said
In ( Deuteronomy 6:16 )

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God:
in the text in Deuteronomy the words are, "ye shall not tempt the Lord your God." The second person plural, is here changed into the second person singular, to accommodate the words to Satan; whom Christ singly addresses, and makes answer to, and who was under this same general law as other rational creatures: and Jehovah may be called the Lord his God, as he is his creator and governor; by whom he is upheld in his being, and to whom he is subject, whether he will or not; though not his covenant God: and even if our Lord Jesus Christ is intended by the Lord God, as some think; he is God over all; over all principalities and powers, good and bad, by whom all are created, and in whom all consist; and whose power and authority over Satan and his angels, have abundantly appeared, in dispossessing devils out of men, sending them where he pleased, and in spoiling the powers of darkness, and in destroying him that had the power of death, the devil; and great insolence and wickedness it must be in a creature, to tempt the Lord his God, in any way, or form whatever; (See Gill on Matthew 4:7)

Luke 4:12 In-Context

10 It's written, isn't it, that 'he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you;
11 they will catch you; you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone'?"
12 "Yes," said Jesus, "and it's also written, 'Don't you dare tempt the Lord your God.'"
13 That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.
14 Jesus returned to Galilee powerful in the Spirit. News that he was back spread through the countryside.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.