Satan Knows the Bible
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Oct 18, 2022
- 2 min read
And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. (Matthew 21:35-37)
As in all parables, Jesus told this story with the householder, the husbandman, the vineyard, and the servants to illustrate a point. The point of this parable may seem obvious to 21st century Christians, but it wasn’t to the Jews of Jesus’ day. Of course, they knew about the persecution of the Old Testament prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, and others, but they couldn’t relate the past to their present situation.
We know, as believers, that the son of the householder is Jesus, but the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes that heard Jesus teach this parable didn’t know that. Although they knew the prophecies about the Messiah and they were familiar with the plight of the prophets, they had no revelation of God’s Word.
That’s the way Satan is. He knows the Bible. He can quote it. He referenced several verses to Jesus throughout the Lord’s 40 days in the wilderness. The devil quoted Psalm 91 and challenged Jesus, “Doesn’t Scripture say, ‘he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways?’ (Psalm 91:11) Throw yourself off the top of the Temple. Jump. The angels will protect you.”
Jesus replied, “It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Luke 4:12). Jesus not only knew the Scripture, but He also had revelation of it. Jesus understood that one verse of Scripture should not be used to do something contrary to God’s character.
Practical Application
To live a successful Christian life, you can’t just hear some verses of Scripture now and then. You must have understanding and revelation of the Word of God.
