The Temptation on the Mountain
W. Landels, D. D. Luke 4:5-8 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.… 1. The vision was a splendid one, well fitted to appeal even to a mind that was actuated by no vulgar ambition. 2. The desire for power here appealed to is one of which the noblest natures are susceptible. 3. It was not a wrong thing, nor at variance with His mission, that Christ should contemplate the prospect of becoming universal King. 4. The prospect held out to Him was well-fitted to stir the loftiest and holiest ambition. 5. It may well, then, foster our reverence for His character, while it teaches us lessons of the greatest practical importance, that although His universal dominion would lead to such blessed results, He would not procure or hasten it by entering into compromise with, or doing the slightest homage to, wrong. 6. Paying homage to evil with a view to the easier and speedier accomplishment of good is a sin to which the Church has always been powerfully tempted. 7. Christ's kingdom is not of this world. It is neither formed on worldly principles nor furthered by worldly measures. (W. Landels, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. WEB: The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.