Verse Meaning Summary

This verse forms part of the account of Jesus' temptations in the wilderness. Here, Jesus rebukes Satan, affirming that worship belongs to God alone. Matthew Henry highlights that Jesus emphasizes God's sovereignty and the exclusive devotion due to Him. Adam Clarke explains that the worship referred to here encapsulates both adoration and service, stressing the unyielding loyalty of believers to God rather than worldly temptations.

Insights from Public Domain Commentaries

• Matthew Henry:

  Matthew Henry suggests that this verse displays Jesus' resolute commitment to God amidst temptation. By quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, Jesus aligns His response with Scripture, asserting that genuine worship involves serving God faithfully, indicating the importance of grounding our actions in God's word.

• Albert Barnes:

  Barnes notes that the appeal to 'it is written' reflects the authority of Scripture against all forms of idolatry. He interprets Jesus' response as a declaration of loyalty and a model for believers to resist drawing near to earthly powers and instead to stay rooted in divine allegiance.

• Adam Clarke:

  Clarke elaborates on the significance of God's glory being at stake in worship and the peril of deviating from His commandments. He emphasizes that worship extends beyond mere acknowledgment; it entails a lifestyle of obedience and servitude to the Creator.

Bible Cross-References

This verse connects with various other Scripture passages that reinforce themes of worship and loyalty to God:

• Deuteronomy 6:13: "Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name."
• Exodus 20:3: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
• Luke 4:8: "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
• Romans 12:1: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
• James 4:7: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
• Matthew 6:24: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other."
• 1 Corinthians 10:21: "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils."

Thematic Connections

Matthew 4:10 establishes a strong doctrinal basis for understanding worship in both the Old and New Testament contexts. The themes of fidelity to God and the rejection of idolatry resonate throughout the entire biblical narrative. For example:

• Worship as exclusive devotion is echoed in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-6).
• Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount parallels the call for sincerity in service to God (Matthew 5-7).
• The consistent message of resisting temptation and aligning oneself with God's will appears throughout the epistles of Paul.

Practical Applications

This verse and its insights serve as a guide for modern believers on the importance of worship and allegiance to God:

• Prioritizing Worship: Believers are encouraged to make God the center of their lives, avoiding distractions and false gods.
• Scriptural Foundation: Engaging with Scripture regularly is vital for understanding God's expectations and resisting temptations.
• Community and Accountability: Sharing with fellow believers helps maintain focus on spiritual commitments.

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Utilizing tools for cross-referencing, believers can explore how different verses relate to Matthew 4:10 to gain a deeper understanding of worship and service:

• How to find cross-references in the Bible
• Identifying connections between Old and New Testament
• Cross-referenced themes in the Bible
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Conclusion

Matthew 4:10 is a pivotal scripture that reinforces the foundational principle of worshiping and serving God alone. By analyzing this verse with public domain commentaries, we can enrich our understanding and application of biblical teachings in our daily lives.