Matthew 4:10 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." This verse is part of the larger passage in which Jesus is tempted by the devil in the wilderness. The devil tempts Jesus three times, and each time Jesus responds with a quotation from the Old Testament. This particular verse is from the third temptation, in which the devil takes Jesus to a high mountain and shows him all the kingdoms of the world. The devil offers to give Jesus all of these kingdoms if he will fall down and worship him.

At its core, this passage is about the nature of true worship and the importance of serving and worshiping God alone. The devil attempts to divert Jesus from his mission by tempting him with power and authority over the kingdoms of the world. But Jesus resists the temptation, affirming that worship and service are ultimately owed to God alone.

One of the prominent themes in this verse is the idea of loyalty and allegiance. Jesus reaffirms the commandment to love and worship God above all else, emphasizing the exclusive nature of true worship. This theme is echoed throughout the Bible, particularly in the Ten Commandments, where God commands His people to have no other gods before Him. The verse serves as a reminder to prioritize and honor our relationship with God above all other allegiances and desires.

The context of this verse is also significant. Jesus is in the midst of a period of fasting and prayer in the wilderness, preparing for his public ministry. The devil takes advantage of Jesus' physical weakness and attempts to tempt him away from his divine mission. This context underscores the spiritual battle that Jesus faces and the importance of remaining faithful to God even in the midst of challenges and trials.

The symbolism in this verse is rich and multifaceted. The devil's offer of all the kingdoms of the world represents the allure of worldly power and authority. By rejecting this offer, Jesus demonstrates the supremacy of spiritual values over material wealth and power. The act of falling down and worshiping the devil symbolizes the temptation to prioritize worldly desires over spiritual truths. Jesus' refusal to do so emphasizes the importance of remaining steadfast in one's faith and not succumbing to the temptations of the world.

Furthermore, the verse highlights the authority of Scripture. Jesus responds to the devil's temptation by quoting from the Old Testament, affirming the power and truth of God's word. This emphasizes the transformative and guiding power of Scripture in resisting temptation and remaining faithful to God.

In conclusion, Matthew 4:10 is a powerful reminder of the importance of true worship and unwavering loyalty to God. It conveys the ongoing spiritual battle between worldly temptations and spiritual truths, emphasizing the supremacy of God and His word. The verse serves as a source of encouragement and guidance for believers, reminding them of the exclusive nature of true worship and the importance of remaining steadfast in their faith.