Matthew 4:8 - Exposition

Into an exceeding high mountain ( εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν λίαν ; cf. Ezekiel 40:2 ; Revelation 21:10 ). Not in Luke. While no material mountain would have enabled our Lord to see all the kingdoms, etc., with his bodily eyes, it is probable that the physical elevation and distance of landscape would psychologically help such a vision. The Quarantana, which "commands a noble prospect", may have been the spot. In the case of Ezekiel it is expressly said that his being "brought into the land of Israel, and set upon a very high mountain," was only "in the visions of God." All the kingdoms of the world ( τοῦ κόσμου ; but Luke, τῆς ρἰκουμένης s , i.e. of the whole world as occupied by man, cf. Bishop Westcott on Hebrews 2:5 ). Cyrus says ( Ezra 1:2 ), "All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord, the God of heaven, given me." And the glory of them' ; " i.e. their resources, wealth, the magnificence and greatness of their cities, their fertile lands, their thronging population" (Thayer); cf. Matthew 6:29 ; Revelation 21:24 , Revelation 21:26 . The kingdoms themselves and their outward show. Contrast the words of the seraphim, "The whole earth is full of his glory" ( Isaiah 6:3 ). In Luke this expression does not occur at this point, but in the tempter's words. As it there comes more abruptly, that is perhaps the more original position. St. Luke adds, "In a moment of time."