John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 6. And the devil said unto him, all this power will I give thee , etc.]. 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13 - Christ's being led into the wilderness gave an advantage to the tempter; for there he was alone, none were with him by whose prayer and advice he might be helped in the hour of temptation. He who kne his own strength might give Satan advantage; but we may not, who know our own weakness. Being in all things made like unto his brethren Jesus would, like the other children of God, live in dependence upo the Divine Providence and promise. The word of God is our sword, an faith in that word is our shield. God has many ways of providing for his people, and therefore is at all times to be depended upon in the way of duty. All Satan's promises are deceitful; and if he is permitte to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, he uses them as baits to insnare men to destruction. We should reject at once and with abhorrence, every opportunity of sinfu gain or advancement, as a price offered for our souls; we should see riches, honours, and happiness in the worship and service of God only Christ will not worship Satan; nor, when he has the kingdoms of the world delivered to him by his Father, will he suffer any remains of the worship of the devil to continue in them. Satan also tempted Jesus to be his own murderer, by unfitting confidence in his Father' protection, such as he had no warrant for. Let not any abuse of Scripture by Satan or by men abate our esteem, or cause us to abando its use; but let us study it still, seek to know it, and seek ou defence from it in all kinds of assaults. Let this word dwell richly i us, for it is our life. Our victorious Redeemer conquered, not for himself only, but for us also. The devil ended all the temptation Christ let him try all his force, and defeated him. Satan saw it was to no purpose to attack Christ, who had nothing in him for his fiery dart to fasten upon. And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. Ye he departed but till the season when he was again to be let loose upo Jesus, not as a tempter, to draw him to sin, and so to strike at his head, at which he now aimed and was wholly defeated in; but as persecutor, to bring Christ to suffer, and so to bruise his heel, whic it was told him, he should have to do, and would do, though it would be the breaking of his own head, Ge 3:15. Though Satan depart for season, we shall never be out of his reach till removed from thi present evil world.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM ο 3588 T-NSM διαβολος 1228 A-NSM σοι 4671 P-2DS δωσω 1325 5692 V-FAI-1S την 3588 T-ASF εξουσιαν 1849 N-ASF ταυτην 3778 D-ASF απασαν 537 A-ASF και 2532 CONJ την 3588 T-ASF δοξαν 1391 N-ASF αυτων 846 P-GPF οτι 3754 CONJ εμοι 1698 P-1DS παραδεδοται 3860 5769 V-RPI-3S και 2532 CONJ ω 3739 R-DSM εαν 1437 COND θελω 2309 5725 V-PAS-1S διδωμι 1325 5719 V-PAI-1S αυτην 846 P-ASF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
6. Note the emphatic position of the pronouns: "To thee will I give - for to me it hath been delivered: thou, therefore, if thou wilt worship," etc. Luke, in his narrative, enlarges upon Matthew. Compare Matt. iv. 9.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:6 {All this authority} (ten exousian tauten hapasan). #Mt 4:9 has "all these things." Luke's report is more specific. {And the glory of them} (kai ten doxan autwn). #Mt 4:8 has this in the statement of what the devil did, not what he said. {For it hath been delivered unto me} (hoti emoi paradedotai). Perfect passive indicative. Satan here claims possession of world power and Jesus does not deny it. It may be due to man's sin and by God's permission. Jesus calls Satan the ruler of this world (#Joh 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). {To whomsoever I will} (hoi an qelw). Present subjunctive with an in an indefinite relative sentence. this audacious claim, if allowed, makes one wonder whether some of the world rulers are not, consciously or unconsciously, agents of the devil. In several American cities there has been proven a definite compact between the police and the underworld of crime. But the tone of Satan here is one of superiority to Jesus in world power. He offers him a share in it on one condition.
