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The Ancient World Behind the Text: Ideas

The customs, offices and ideas a first reader knew without being told, what each meant then, and the nearest thing you already know.

The satan, the tempter

The accuser, tempter and deceiver of Jewish belief, seen as the power behind human and political evil. In the Gospels he tests Jesus and is the strong man Jesus binds, and John calls him the ruler of this world.

Jewish life and lawWhat people were waiting for

First, in plain English

The prosecutor who has spent years building a case against you shows up in person with an offer. Satan is Hebrew for accuser. In the Old Testament the satan appears in God's court bringing charges. By Jesus' day many Jews saw him as the great tempter and deceiver, the power behind evil in people and in nations. The Gospels show him facing Jesus directly.

What it meant then

The Hebrew word means the accuser. At times he is a member of God's heavenly council acting as prosecutor (Job 1-2; Zechariah 3). Later he was identified with the serpent in Eden, and many Jews saw him as the source behind both human wickedness and large-scale injustice. He is accuser, tempter and deceiver, and the word devil means slanderer. What would surprise most Jewish readers in Matthew 4, Keener notes, is the devil tempting in person. Heiser reads the testing against Deuteronomy 32:8-9, where the nations were handed to lesser gods at Babel. He writes, "Satan offered Jesus the nations that had been disinherited by Yahweh at Babel." Nearly all Jewish texts make God ruler of the world. Yet they speak of fallen angels ruling much of it under his decree, with their prince ruling most of the world except Israel. Judaism expected their defeat only when the kingdom came. Jewish texts recognized Satan's dominion over the world. Of the title prince of this world, though, the cultural backgrounds notes say "there is no record of them using this title for him." Keener reads the binding of the strong man as a sign that Jesus has already defeated Satan. Many Jewish sources say Satan or demons were bound after God subdued them. The prince of demons had many names. Beelzebul is related to Baal-zebub of 2 Kings 1:2, and Heiser traces it to a Ugaritic title of Baal, prince, lord of the underworld. The rabbis called him Sammael, Jubilees Beliar or Mastema, and the Dead Sea Scrolls Belial, from a Hebrew word for worthlessness. Judaism held that Satan deceived and came in disguises.

The bridge to today

An analogy: a rebel warlord who controls provinces he was never given and offers to share them with the rightful heir if he will just bow once. The offer is real enough to tempt, and accepting it would concede the warlord's claim.

What it changes in the reading

The satan stands behind the testing in the wilderness, as in Matthew 4:1-11, where the offer of the kingdoms is the center. In the Beelzebul dispute of Mark 3:23-27 Jesus pictures his exorcisms as robbing a strong man's house. In Luke 10:18 Satan falls like lightning as the mission goes out.

Where the analogy breaks

Not a rival with power of his own. A warlord holds what he seized by his own strength. In these sources the satan is a created being, and Jewish texts had the fallen angels ruling only under God's decree, with their defeat already promised.

Where scholars disagree

Whether the kingdoms were his to give. Keener says the devil held them only as a usurper, and the CSB Study Bible says they belong to God. Heiser holds that the offer was real, since Satan was presumed lord over the rebel gods of the nations. Second, what Jesus saw in Luke 10:18. Keener and the ESV Study Bible read Satan's power broken. Wright hears the prophets on the ancient enemy's downfall. Heiser reads Satan's expulsion from God's council, his work as accuser finished. Third, who the ruler of this world is. The ESV and CSB Study Bibles say Satan, defeated at the cross. Wright reads two levels: Caesar, and "the dark power that stands behind even Caesar." Fourth, the god of this age in 2 Corinthians 4:4. Heiser grants, "Nearly all scholars identify this figure as Satan," but notes that the name is not in the verse and the phrase may mean God himself (Isaiah 6:9-10). Fifth, when Satan is thrown down in Revelation 12. Keener and Beale place it at Christ's death and exaltation, Heiser at the kingdom's start. Arnold calls it "an event that is yet future", and the CSB Study Bible agrees.

Passages where it appears

{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-3-13-4-11\/","n":"Matthew 3:13-4:11, Baptism and the test in the desert","s":"Jesus is baptized and hears the voice from heaven, then is led into the wilderness for forty days, where the devil tests him three times.","r":"Matthew 3:13-4:11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-12-22-50\/","n":"Matthew 12:22-50, Beelzebul, the strong man, Jonah and his true family","s":"When Jesus heals a blind and mute man, the crowds wonder if he is the Son of David and the Pharisees say he works by Beelzebul. Jesus answers with the strong man, refuses a sign except Jonah's, and names his true family.","r":"Matthew 12:22-50"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-4-1-13\/","n":"Luke 4:1-13, The devil offers the kingdoms","s":"Full of the Spirit, Jesus is led through the wilderness for forty days, where the devil tests him with bread, with all the kingdoms of the world, and with a leap from the temple.","r":"Luke 4:1-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-10-1-24\/","n":"Luke 10:1-24, Seventy sent out, and Satan falling","s":"Jesus sends seventy others, or seventy-two, ahead of him in pairs, with no purse, bag or sandals, to towns that will welcome or refuse them. They come back rejoicing that even the demons obey, and Jesus says he saw Satan fall like lightning.","r":"Luke 10:1-24"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-11-14-26\/","n":"Luke 11:14-26, By Beelzebul, or by the finger of God?","s":"When Jesus drives out a demon that kept a man from speaking, some say he does it by Beelzebul, the ruler of demons. He answers that a divided kingdom falls, and that if he drives out demons by the finger of God, God's kingdom has come.","r":"Luke 11:14-26"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-13-10-21\/","n":"Luke 13:10-21, A bent woman freed on the Sabbath; mustard and leaven","s":"Teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus frees a woman bent double for eighteen years. The synagogue ruler objects, and Jesus answers with an ox untied for water, then compares God's kingdom to a mustard seed and to leaven.","r":"Luke 13:10-21"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-22-24-38\/","n":"Luke 22:24-38, Benefactors, thrones, sifting and two swords","s":"At the last supper the disciples argue over who is greatest. Jesus contrasts kings who are called benefactors with himself as one who serves, promises them thrones, warns Peter that Satan has asked to sift them, and speaks of swords.","r":"Luke 22:24-38"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-8-31-59\/","n":"John 8:31-59, Abraham's children, and before Abraham, I am","s":"Jesus tells Judeans who had believed him that the truth will make them free. They answer that they are Abraham's children and were never slaves, and the argument ends with Jesus saying before Abraham was, I am, and stones in their hands.","r":"John 8:31-59"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-12-20-50\/","n":"John 12:20-50, Greeks at the feast, and the ruler of this world cast out","s":"Some Greeks who came up to worship ask to see Jesus. He says his hour has come, that the ruler of this world will be driven out, and that when he is lifted up he will draw everyone to himself; many leaders believe but stay silent.","r":"John 12:20-50"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-14-1-31\/","n":"John 14:1-31, Rooms in the Father's house, and another Advocate","s":"Jesus tells his troubled disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father's house, that he is the way, and that the Father will send another Advocate, the Spirit of truth. He leaves them his peace.","r":"John 14:1-31"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-15-18-16-15\/","n":"John 15:18-16:15, Hated by the world and put out of the synagogue","s":"Jesus warns that the world will hate his followers as it hated him, that they will be put out of the synagogues and even killed by people who think they are serving God, and that the Advocate will prove the world wrong.","r":"John 15:18-16:15"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-4-32-5-11\/","n":"Acts 4:32-5:11, Barnabas, Ananias and Sapphira","s":"The believers share everything, and Barnabas sells a field for the common fund. Ananias and Sapphira sell land too but lie about the price, and both fall dead.","r":"Acts 4:32-5:11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-16-17-27\/","n":"Romans 16:17-27, Tertius, Gaius and Erastus","s":"Paul warns against those who cause divisions, promises that God will soon crush Satan under the believers' feet, and passes on greetings from Corinth, including his scribe Tertius, his host Gaius and Erastus the city treasurer.","r":"Romans 16:17-27"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-5-1-13\/","n":"1 Corinthians 5:1-13, A man and his father's wife","s":"A church member is living with his stepmother and the church is proud of itself. Paul tells them to hand the man over to Satan, clear out the old leaven as a household does before Passover, and not eat with a so-called brother who lives that way.","r":"1 Corinthians 5:1-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-2-5-13\/","n":"2 Corinthians 2:5-13, Forgive the offender; no rest at Troas","s":"The man who caused the grief has been punished enough by the majority, so Paul urges the church to forgive him lest Satan outwit them, then tells how he left an open door at Troas because Titus had not come.","r":"2 Corinthians 2:5-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-4-1-6\/","n":"2 Corinthians 4:1-6, The god of this age","s":"Paul renounces cunning and tampering with God's word; if his gospel is veiled, it is veiled to the perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, while God has made his light shine in believers' hearts.","r":"2 Corinthians 4:1-6"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-6-14-7-1\/","n":"2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, Unequal yoke, Belial and the temple of God","s":"Paul tells the Corinthians not to be yoked with unbelievers, for light has no fellowship with darkness nor Christ with Belial, and calls them the temple of the living God, who must come out and be separate.","r":"2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-11-1-15\/","n":"2 Corinthians 11:1-15, The betrothed virgin, the free gospel and the angel of light","s":"Jealous as a father who has promised his daughter to one husband, Paul fears the Corinthians will be led astray as Eve was; he defends preaching to them free of charge and calls his rivals false apostles disguised as Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.","r":"2 Corinthians 11:1-15"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-12-1-10\/","n":"2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Caught up to the third heaven; the thorn","s":"Paul tells of a man caught up to the third heaven and into paradise who heard things no one may utter, then of the thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, which God would not remove because his power is made perfect in weakness.","r":"2 Corinthians 12:1-10"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/ephesians-2-1-10\/","n":"Ephesians 2:1-10, The ruler of the kingdom of the air","s":"Paul reminds his readers that they were once dead in sins, following the ruler of the kingdom of the air, until God in his mercy made them alive and seated them with Christ in the heavenly realms, saved by grace.","r":"Ephesians 2:1-10"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/ephesians-4-17-32\/","n":"Ephesians 4:17-32, No longer as the Gentiles live","s":"Paul tells Gentile believers to stop living as the Gentiles do, to put off the old self and put on the new, to give the devil no foothold, to work with their hands and share, and not to grieve the Spirit who sealed them.","r":"Ephesians 4:17-32"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/ephesians-6-10-17\/","n":"Ephesians 6:10-17, The armor of God","s":"Paul calls the believers to stand firm in God's armor, because their struggle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.","r":"Ephesians 6:10-17"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1thessalonians-2-17-3-13\/","n":"1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13, Orphaned, blocked by Satan, crowned","s":"Torn away from the church, Paul tells how he longed to come back but Satan blocked the way, how he sent Timothy from Athens, how Timothy's good news has revived him, and prays that the Lord will make them blameless at his coming with all his holy ones.","r":"1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2thessalonians-2-1-12\/","n":"2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, The man of lawlessness and the restrainer","s":"Paul tells a church unsettled by claims that the day of the Lord has already come that the rebellion must come first and the man of lawlessness be revealed, who sets himself up in God's temple claiming to be God; something holds him back for now, and the Lord Jesus will destroy him by the breath of his mouth.","r":"2 Thessalonians 2:1-12"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1timothy-1-12-20\/","n":"1 Timothy 1:12-20, A blasphemer shown mercy, and two men handed over to Satan","s":"Paul thanks Christ for taking a former blasphemer and persecutor into his service as an example of mercy, then charges Timothy to fight the battle well, as the prophecies about him foretold, unlike Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom Paul has handed over to Satan.","r":"1 Timothy 1:12-20"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2timothy-2-14-26\/","n":"2 Timothy 2:14-26, Gangrene, a resurrection already past, and vessels in a great house","s":"Timothy is to warn the church against quarreling about words and to handle the word of truth correctly; the teaching of Hymenaeus and Philetus, who say the resurrection has already happened, spreads like gangrene, but God's foundation stands sealed, and in a great house some vessels are for honor and some for dishonor.","r":"2 Timothy 2:14-26"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/james-1-1-18\/","n":"James 1:1-18, To the twelve tribes scattered","s":"James greets the twelve tribes scattered among the nations, tells them to count their trials as joy and to ask God for wisdom, warns that the rich will wither like a wildflower, and insists that God tempts no one but gives every good gift from above, as the Father of lights.","r":"James 1:1-18"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/james-3-1-4-10\/","n":"James 3:1-4:10, The tongue on fire, zeal and wars","s":"James warns would-be teachers that the tongue is a small fire set alight by hell, contrasts bitter envy and selfish ambition with the peaceable wisdom from above, traces fights and quarrels to desires at war within, calls friendship with the world enmity with God, and tells his readers to resist the devil.","r":"James 3:1-4:10"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1peter-5-1-14\/","n":"1 Peter 5:1-14, Elders, the roaring lion, and greetings from Babylon","s":"As a fellow elder Peter urges the elders to shepherd God's flock willingly, not for gain, until the Chief Shepherd gives them an unfading crown. All must be humble, for their adversary the devil prowls like a roaring lion. Peter writes through Silvanus and sends greetings from she who is in Babylon and from his son Mark.","r":"1 Peter 5:1-14"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1john-2-28-3-24\/","n":"1 John 2:28-3:24, Children of God, Cain, and love in deed","s":"Those who do right are born of God, whose love makes them his children, and when he appears they will be like him. Whoever keeps on sinning belongs to the devil, who has sinned from the beginning, and the Son came to undo his work. The readers are not to be like Cain, who murdered his brother, but to love in deed and in truth, as Christ laid down his life.","r":"1 John 2:28-3:24"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1john-4-1-6\/","n":"1 John 4:1-6, Test the spirits","s":"The readers must test every spirit instead of trusting each one, since many false prophets are now abroad. A spirit that confesses Jesus Christ as truly come in the flesh is from God, and one that refuses is the spirit of the antichrist. God in them is greater than the power in the world, and this is how the Spirit of truth is told from the spirit of error.","r":"1 John 4:1-6"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1john-5-13-21\/","n":"1 John 5:13-21, The sin that leads to death, the evil one and idols","s":"John writes so that believers may know they have eternal life, and that God hears them. They are to pray for a brother or sister whose sin does not lead to death, though there is a sin that does. Those born of God are kept from the evil one, while the whole world lies under his power; the letter ends with a warning to keep away from idols.","r":"1 John 5:13-21"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/jude-8-13\/","n":"Jude 8-13, Michael and the body of Moses, and hidden reefs at the love feasts","s":"The intruders claim dream visions, defile the body, despise authority and slander the glorious ones, though the archangel Michael, disputing with the devil over the body of Moses, did not dare to slander him but left the rebuke to the Lord. They have taken the way of Cain, Balaam and Korah; they are hidden reefs at the love feasts, waterless clouds, wild waves and wandering stars.","r":"Jude 8-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-2-8-11\/","n":"Revelation 2:8-11, Smyrna, poor and slandered","s":"To Smyrna the risen Jesus says he sees their hardship and poverty and the abuse they suffer from local opponents claiming to be the true Jews, whom he condemns in harsh terms. Some will be jailed for a short time; if they stay loyal even to death he will reward them with life.","r":"Revelation 2:8-11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-12-1-6\/","n":"Revelation 12:1-6, the woman, the child and the dragon","s":"A radiant woman, crowned with twelve stars and standing on the moon, labors to give birth while a great red dragon waits to devour her child. The child, destined to rule the nations, is caught up to God's throne, and the woman escapes to the wilderness, where she is kept safe for 1,260 days.","r":"Revelation 12:1-6"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-12-7-17\/","n":"Revelation 12:7-17, war in heaven and the accuser thrown down","s":"Michael and his angels fight the dragon and throw him out of heaven, and a voice celebrates the fall of the accuser of the brothers, defeated by the Lamb's blood and the witnesses' testimony. On earth the dragon chases the woman, who is given eagle's wings, and when the earth swallows the river he spews after her, he turns to make war on her other children.","r":"Revelation 12:7-17"}

Beings in the Gods of the Bible

{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/satan-ho-satanas\/","n":"Satan (ho satanas)","s":"The name the New Testament gives the chief adversary, a role that had become a name.","r":"Matthew 4:10"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-devil-diabolos\/","n":"The devil (diabolos)","s":"The Greek word for slanderer, used interchangeably with Satan.","r":"Matthew 4:1-11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-satan-of-job\/","n":"The satan of Job","s":"The accuser in Job, a job title in God's court rather than a personal name.","r":"Job 1:6-12"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/beelzebul\/","n":"Beelzebul","s":"The name Jesus's opponents used for the ruler of demons when they accused him.","r":"Matthew 10:25"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/baal-zebub-beelzebul\/","n":"Baal-zebub \/ Beelzebul","s":"A Philistine god whose name Israel deliberately misspelled into lord of the flies.","r":"2 Kings 1:2"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-ruler-of-this-world\/","n":"The ruler of this world","s":"John's title for Satan, conceding real authority and announcing its end.","r":"John 12:31"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/belial-beliar\/","n":"Belial \/ Beliar","s":"A Hebrew word for worthlessness that hardened into a name for the enemy of God.","r":"2 Corinthians 6:15"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-god-of-this-age\/","n":"The god of this age","s":"Paul calls the blinder of unbelievers a god, and translators have to decide what case to use.","r":"2 Corinthians 4:4"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-ancient-serpent\/","n":"The ancient serpent","s":"The talking serpent of Eden, which the New Testament identifies with Satan though Genesis never does.","r":"Genesis 3:1-15"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-prince-of-the-power-of-the-air\/","n":"The prince of the power of the air","s":"Paul's title for the ruling evil power, with the air meaning contested territory overhead.","r":"Ephesians 2:2"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-dragon\/","n":"The dragon","s":"The beast of Revelation, identified there as the serpent, the devil and Satan all at once.","r":"Revelation 12:3-17"}

In the Divine Council Index

{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/divine-council-index\/deuteronomy-32-8-9\/","n":"Deuteronomy 32:8-9","s":"The Most High divided the nations, and the number He divided them by is where the whole argument turns.","r":"Deuteronomy 32:8-9"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/divine-council-index\/job-1-6-12\/","n":"Job 1:6-12","s":"The sons of God present themselves and the satan comes among them.","r":"Job 1:6-12"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/divine-council-index\/genesis-3-1-15\/","n":"Genesis 3:1-15","s":"The nachash in the garden, and the sentence passed on it.","r":"Genesis 3:1-15"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/divine-council-index\/luke-10-1-20\/","n":"Luke 10:1-20","s":"Seventy sent out, and Satan falling like lightning when they return.","r":"Luke 10:1-20"}

Sources

N. T. Wright, Matthew for Everyone, Part One, Glossary, entry the satan
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, NT Glossary, entry Satan, and notes on Matthew 4:1, 4:6 and 12:29
ESV Study Bible, study note on Matthew 4:1
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Matthew 4:1, 4:5-6, 4:8-9 and 12:29
CSB Study Bible, note on Matthew 4:8
Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm, ch. 32, Preeminent Domain, and its endnote on the accuser, and ch. 40, Foe from the North
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Luke 10:18, 11:14-16 and 11:21-23
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, note on Luke 10:18
ESV Study Bible, study note on Luke 10:18
N. T. Wright, Luke for Everyone, comment on Luke 10:17-24
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on John 12:31
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, note on John 12:31
ESV Study Bible, study notes on John 12:31 and 14:30
CSB Study Bible, notes on John 12:30-31 and 14:30
N. T. Wright, John for Everyone, Part Two, comment on John 14:22-31
Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm, ch. 37, This Means War, endnote on 2 Corinthians 4:4
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on 2 Corinthians 2:9-11, 6:15, 11:3 and 11:13-15
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on 2 Corinthians 2:11, 4:4, 6:15, 11:3 and 11:14
ESV Study Bible, study notes on 2 Corinthians 4:3-5 and 6:15
CSB Study Bible, note on 2 Corinthians 4:4
N. T. Wright, Paul for Everyone: 2 Corinthians, comment on 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm, ch. 37, This Means War, Observations on Paul's Vocabulary
Michael S. Heiser, Reversing Hermon, ch. 10, Second Temple Jewish Demonology
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Ephesians 2:1-2 and 4:27
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Ephesians 2:2 and 4:27
ESV Study Bible, study note on Ephesians 2:2
CSB Study Bible, note on Ephesians 2:2
Clinton E. Arnold, Powers of Darkness, ch. 6, They Are Part of Satan's Kingdom
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, introduction to Revelation 12:7-17
G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text, on Revelation 12:7
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, article Time in Revelation
Clinton E. Arnold, Powers of Darkness, ch. 5, The Teaching of Jesus, The Mission of the Disciples, and note 13
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, entry Satan
CSB Study Bible, note on Revelation 12:7-10
Michael S. Heiser, Reversing Hermon, endnote 22
Michael S. Heiser, Revelation 12: The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon, video lecture (Naked Bible Revelation series)

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