As the ruler of this world (John 12:31,John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:1–3, 1 John 5:19), Satan tempts Jesus by offering him dominion over the whole earth—something that Jesus had indeed been promised (Psalm 2:8; Daniel 7:14). Satan no longer appeals to Jesus’ relationship with his Father, or to Jesus’s power and God’s majesty, but only to the temptation to find an easier path than humiliation and suffering to Jesus’ ruling the world—simply bowing the knee to the devil instead of God.
The temptation consists of Satan, as the ruler of this world (John 12:31,John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:1–3; 1 John 5:19), offering Jesus dominion over the whole earth—something which has indeed been promised to the Messiah (Psalm 2:8, Daniel 7:14). The price that he had to pay for this, however, was worshiping Satan.1 The devil’s true agenda is now revealed. He no longer draws a connection to the exclamation from heaven, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
He also no longer appeals to Jesus’ power and God’s majesty. The proposal is now straightforward: Jesus wants to bring about the kingdom through humiliation and suffering, but he offers him an easier path to the throne. All he needs to do is bow the knee to the devil instead of to God.2
8 Le diable le transporta encore sur une montagne très élevée, lui montra tous les royaumes du monde et leur gloire,