4:7a

So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces the conclusion to all that Satan said in 4:6. The New American Standard Bible translates this conjunction as:

Therefore

if You worship me: The phrase if You worship me is the sin that the devil was tempting Jesus to commit. The devil promised to give Jesus authority over the nations, but only if Jesus worshiped him. The devil wanted Jesus to acknowledge him to be his leader. He wanted to gain control over Jesus.

worship me: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worship refers to bowing down before someone or something. In biblical times, people bowed down, knelt, or lay on the ground before their kings and their idols. In this way, they showed respect, reverence, and humility.

Some other ways to translate this are:

bow down and worship me (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
kneel down before me

4:7b

it will all be Yours: The phrase it will all be Yours means “all the authority over the nations will be yours.” Satan was telling Jesus that if Jesus would worship him, then Satan would cause Jesus to control the world. Some other ways to translate this are:

I will give it all to you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you can control the whole world
-or-
you will rule every nation

Satan was lying. Luke did not imply that the devil was telling the truth. He simply reported what the devil said.

General Comment on 4:7a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of 4:7a and 4:7b. For example:

7bI will give it all to you 7aif you will bow down and worship me. (New Living Translation (1996))

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