And the devil said unto him, all this power will I give
thee,
&c.]. That is, all the kingdoms of the world, and all the
government and jurisdiction over them:
and the glory of them;
the riches, honours, and grandeur belonging to them:
for that is delivered unto me:
so far he spoke modestly, in that he owned an original, superior
governor of them, by whom he pretended they were transferred to
him; but lied, in that he suggested they were put into his hands
by him, who had the supreme power over them; and that he acted by
his constitution and appointment, as a deputy under him; when
what power he had, as the God of the world, was by usurpation,
and not by designation of God; and at most only by permission:
and least of all was it true what follows;
and to whomsoever I will I give it;
or "these", as the Vulgate Latin reads; that is, these kingdoms
of the world, and the glory of them; when so to do is the
peculiar and sole prerogative of God: nor can Satan dispose of
the goods of a single man, nor of a herd of swine, nor enter into
them without leave from God.