Καὶ ἀναγαγὼν αὐτὸν ὁ διάβολος εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλὸν ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ πάσας τὰς βασιλείας τῆς οἰκουμένης ἐν στιγμῇ χρόνου
This verse sets the stage for the second temptation in the wilderness. The Greek constructs the scene with visual sharpness and temporal tension. The movement upward, the flash of sight, and the universal scope all serve to intensify the drama. In just one verse, we see elevation, vision, and the allure of power—all conveyed through precise syntax.
Grammatical Foundations
The verse begins with Καὶ ἀναγαγὼν—an aorist active participle from ἀνάγω, meaning “having led up.” It’s nominative masculine singular, modifying ὁ διάβολος, the subject. This participle establishes the background action: “having taken him up.” The verb implies upward movement—both literal and symbolic, as mountains in Scripture often signify revelation or testing.
The destination is expressed with εἰς ὄρος ὑψηλόν—“to a high mountain.” The adjective ὑψηλόν emphasizes the elevation and perhaps the grandeur of the view.
The main verb is ἔδειξεν—aorist active indicative of δείκνυμι, meaning “he showed.” The object is πάσας τὰς βασιλείας—“all the kingdoms.” The accusative plural shows scope and completeness. The genitive phrase τῆς οἰκουμένης (the inhabited world) narrows that scope to the Roman world or the totality of human civilization as it was known. This word was often used in imperial and eschatological contexts.
The temporal expression ἐν στιγμῇ χρόνου is poetic and precise. στιγμή means “a point” or “an instant,” and χρόνου is genitive singular, “of time.” Together: “in a moment of time.” The effect is cinematic—a sudden vision, not gradual revelation.
Exegetical and Theological Implications
This verse underlines the psychological and spiritual weight of temptation. The devil does not merely propose power; he shows it. The verb ἔδειξεν makes the temptation visual. The participle ἀναγαγὼν suggests elevation, but the spiritual aim is descent—away from trust in the Father.
The phrase ἐν στιγμῇ χρόνου implies that the temptation strikes quickly. Temptation often comes not as a slow erosion but as a sudden vision of possibility. The kingdoms appear in a flash, but the cost—worshiping the tempter—is immeasurable (as the next verse shows).
Theologically, the passage highlights how spiritual testing involves both real choices and false perceptions. The grandeur is visible, but deceptive.
Linguistic and Historical Perspectives
The verb ἀνάγω was often used in both nautical and religious contexts. In the LXX, it frequently describes divine elevation (e.g., God bringing Israel out of Egypt). Here, its use is ironically inverted—the devil elevates Jesus in space to try and bring him down spiritually.
οἰκουμένη had political overtones in the Roman world—it referred to the civilized, Roman-controlled world. Luke’s use subtly points to the imperial backdrop of this temptation: worldly kingdoms with power, glory, and reach.
Table: Verbal and Syntactical Features in Luke 4:5
| Text | Greek Verb / Phrase | Form | Function / Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luke 4:5 | ἀναγαγών | Aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular | “Having led up”; describes the action of the devil before showing |
| Luke 4:5 | ἔδειξεν | Aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular | “He showed”; main verb describing the temptation |
| Luke 4:5 | ἐν στιγμῇ χρόνου | Prepositional phrase with genitive | “In a moment of time”; expresses how quickly the vision occurred |
The Verse as a Paradigm of Koine Greek Richness
Luke 4:5 moves with poetic intensity. The participial structure builds narrative flow, the aorists add impact, and the phrase “in a moment of time” captures the deceptive speed of temptation. Koine Greek sharpens both the visual and spiritual edges of the scene—elevation without enlightenment, visibility without truth. The grandeur of the world is laid bare, but so is its danger.
