Does Matthew 4:8 teach a flat earth?

Does Matthew 4:8 teach a flat earth?

Some critics argue that Matthew 4:8 supports a flat-earth view. The verse says:

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.”

They reason that if Jesus could see “all the kingdoms of the world” from one mountain, the earth must be flat. They also suggest the scene could not have been supernatural since a mountain was involved.

The supernatural context

But Matthew’s account cannot be separated from the supernatural. How did the devil even find Jesus in the wilderness (Matt. 4:3)? How could he transport him to the pinnacle of the temple (Matt. 4:5) or to a very high mountain (Matt. 4:8)? The entire encounter assumes supernatural power. In that light, showing Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world” is best understood as part of a supernatural vision.

The symbolism of the mountain

Why, then, the mountain? In Scripture and in culture, elevation signifies authority. Kings sit on thrones raised above others. Rulers take the highest seats in palaces or arenas. People bow down before them. The devil’s temptation was to offer Jesus global kingship. A high mountain symbolized exaltation and dominion—making it the fitting stage for this temptation.

The pattern of rising temptation

Notice the sequence in Matthew 4:1–11:

1. In the desert, Jesus is tempted with bread.

2. At the pinnacle of the temple, he is tempted with testing God’s protection.

3. On a very high mountain, he is tempted with kingship.

As the temptations increase in loftiness, so do the heights from which they are offered.

Did ancients believe one could see the whole world?

Even if some in Jesus’ day believed the earth was flat, would they have thought that one could literally see every kingdom from a mountain? Hardly. Ancient travelers knew that vision was limited. Journeys were measured in days, not in sight distance. Standing on a hill or shoreline already showed them that horizons obscure detail and color. They understood that no human eye could behold all nations from one vantage point.

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Conclusion

Matthew 4:8 does not teach a flat earth. It portrays a supernatural vision within the context of Christ’s temptations. The mountain is not a geographical claim but a symbolic stage for the devil’s offer of kingship. The message is spiritual and theological, emphasizing Jesus’ victory over worldly power and Satan’s schemes.