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The Historic Faith
Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Satan And The Devil

Early Christian writers taught that Satan and the devil are a real personal enemy who tempts, deceives, and opposes God’s people. Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Theophilus of Antioch, Origen, Tertullian, and Cyprian all connect Satan with the serpent, with temptation, and with the fall of angels or demons under his rule. The witness is broad across the 1st through 3rd centuries, and it is strongest on Satan as deceiver, accuser, and adversary;

it is a little less direct on details like whether all demons came from fallen angels, since some writers state that more clearly than others. Bible passages tied to this topic are also direct and often repeated, especially Genesis 3, Job, Luke 4, John 8:44, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 3:8, and Revelation 12 and 20.

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Key Passages

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How to Study Satan And The Devil

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Scripture Map

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27 references

Supporting Passages

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Direct Bible passage naming the devil as the deceiver of the world.

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Direct Bible passage on Satan being bound.

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Angels kept not their first estate

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

Direct Bible passage about angels that sinned and were chained.

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Direct Genesis passage about the serpent deceiving Eve.

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Direct Bible passage on Satan falling from heaven.

And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Direct Genesis passage on the serpent’s curse.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

Direct Bible passage often used for Satan’s fall.

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

Dragon imagery in Revelation

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Direct Bible text naming the devil as an adversary.

And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

Defeat in heaven for the dragon and his forces

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Direct Bible passage on Satan's final punishment.

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Plain passage for Satan speaking in Job

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Satan as angel of light

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

Direct Bible passage on the devil ending temptation.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Direct Bible text on Satan as liar and murderer.

And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

Direct Bible passage on the devil’s offer of power.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Direct Bible text on the devil’s works.

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

Direct Bible passage on the temple temptation.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Direct Bible passage where Jesus rejects Satan.

And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Direct Bible passage on Satan being crushed underfoot.