The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me" (Mat 4:8-9).

See also Lk 4:5-7.

        

Here is the first appearance of man's arch-enemy in the New Testament. As Satan had interfered with God's plan for man in Genesis, so he attempted to hijack God's rescue operation in Jesus Christ. We see the scope of Jesus' significance in the bait offered him to capitulate -- "all the kingdoms of the world." Satan did not merely offer him the headship of the tribe of Judah, or the kingship of Israel. The devil was aware that Jesus' life had universal impact. It extended to every aspect of God's creation that the devil had corrupted.