Satan
An adversary who accuses, tempts, and opposes God's purposes.
Satan is a figure who appears in both the Old and New Testaments as an adversary who provokes, accuses, and tempts. In 1 Chronicles 21:1, Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to number Israel. In Job 1:6-7 and Job 2:1-2, Satan is described as coming among the sons of God to present himself before the LORD, and he reports going to and fro in the earth. In the New Testament, Satan tempts Jesus (Mark 1:13) and enters into Judas Iscariot (Luke 22:3).
Quick Facts
- First appearance
- 1 Chronicles 21:1
- Appears before the lord
- Job 1:6, Job 2:1
- Tempts jesus
- Mark 1:13
- Enters judas
- Luke 22:3
- Rebuked by jesus
- Matthew 4:10, Luke 4:8
Lore & Background
In the Old Testament, Satan is depicted as an accuser who appears among the sons of God before the LORD. In Job 1:6-12 and Job 2:1-7, Satan questions Job's motives for fearing God, receives permission from the LORD to test Job by taking his possessions and health, but is forbidden from taking Job's life. In Zechariah 3:1-2, Satan stands at the right hand of Joshua the high priest to resist him, and the LORD rebukes Satan. In 1 Chronicles 21:1, Satan provokes David to sin by numbering Israel. In the New Testament, Satan is shown as a tempter and adversary. Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Mark 1:13) and rebukes Satan when Peter opposes God's plan (Matthew 16:23, Mark 8:33). Jesus also speaks of Satan's fall from heaven (Luke 10:18) and warns that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand, referencing Satan casting out Satan (Matthew 12:26, Mark 3:23-26). Satan is said to take away the word sown in hearts (Mark 4:15) and enters Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus (Luke 22:3).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray Satan as a being who operates with a degree of autonomy but ultimately under divine permission. In Job, Satan cannot act beyond the limits set by the LORD (Job 1:12, Job 2:6). He is an accuser who questions human integrity (Job 1:9, Job 2:4) and a tempter who provokes sin (1 Chronicles 21:1). In the New Testament, Satan is a direct adversary of Jesus, tempting him (Mark 1:13) and opposing God's redemptive plan (Matthew 16:23). Jesus exercises authority over Satan, rebuking him (Matthew 4:10, Luke 4:8) and describing his fall (Luke 10:18). Satan is also depicted as having a kingdom that can be divided (Matthew 12:26, Mark 3:26) and as actively working to hinder the spread of God's word (Mark 4:15). The passages do not provide a single unified origin story or detailed hierarchy, but consistently show Satan as a figure of opposition who is subject to God's ultimate authority.
Elsewhere in Figures of Scripture
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