The Bible has a lot to say about Lucifer, who is also referred to as Satan or the devil. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that mention Lucifer and describe his character and actions.
Isaiah 14:12-15
This passage describes Lucifer’s rebellion and fall from heaven. Isaiah 14:12 refers to Lucifer as “Day Star, Son of Dawn” and describes his desire to make himself like God and exalt his throne above the stars of God. Because of his pride and arrogance, Lucifer is cast down to Sheol in verse 15.
How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.”
But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,
to the depths of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)
This passage describes the reason for Lucifer’s fall from his exalted position.
Ezekiel 28:12-19
In Ezekiel 28, the king of Tyre is likened to Lucifer in his pride and fall from glory. Verses 12-15 describe Lucifer as the model of perfection, adorned with precious stones and metals. But verse 17 says his beauty and splendor led to pride, causing his fall.
You were the seal of perfection,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden,
the garden of God;
every precious stone adorned you:
ruby, topaz and emerald,
chrysolite, onyx and jasper,
sapphire, turquoise and beryl.
Your settings and mountings were made of gold;
on the day you were created they were prepared.
You were anointed as a guardian cherub,
for so I ordained you.
You were on the holy mount of God;
you walked among the fiery stones.
You were blameless in your ways
from the day you were created
till wickedness was found in you.
So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,
and I expelled you, guardian cherub,
from among the fiery stones.
Your heart became proud
on account of your beauty,
and you corrupted your wisdom
because of your splendor.
So I threw you to the earth (Ezekiel 28:12-17)
This shows how Lucifer was a beautiful, exalted angel before pride led him to rebel against God.
Luke 10:18
In this verse, Jesus declares that he saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning. This affirms that Satan was formerly in heaven but was cast out.
He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” (Luke 10:18)
2 Corinthians 11:14
This verse warns that Satan can masquerade as an angel of light. Though fallen, he retains abilities to deceive.
But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Revelation 12:7-9
This passage describes a war in heaven between Michael’s angels and the dragon (Satan) and his angels. Satan is defeated and thrown down to earth.
Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (Revelation 12:7-9)
Job 1:6-12
This story describes a meeting between God and Satan, along with the angels. When God points out Job’s virtue, Satan argues that Job only serves God because he is protected. God allows Satan to test Job to prove his loyalty.
Genesis 3:1-7
Here Satan tempts Eve in the Garden of Eden in the form of a serpent. He deceives Eve into eating the forbidden fruit by contradicting God’s command.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (Genesis 3:1-7)
1 Chronicles 21:1
This verse reveals that Satan incited David to take a census of Israel, which displeased God.
Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:1)
Zechariah 3:1-2
In this vision, Satan accuses the high priest Joshua before the angel of the Lord, but the Lord rebukes Satan for this.
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” (Zechariah 3:1-2)
Matthew 4:1-11
This passage describes Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness, trying to provoke Jesus to misuse his power and put God to the test.
John 8:44
Jesus calls Satan the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
This mentions the counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders that Satan will use to deceive people who are perishing.
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
1 Peter 5:8
Peter warns believers to be alert and resist the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10
These verses describe Satan being bound and thrown into the Abyss for a thousand years. After being released for a time, he gathers an army but is ultimately defeated by God and thrown into the lake of burning sulfur.
Matthew 25:41
Jesus says the eternal fire was prepared for the devil and his angels, referring to their ultimate destiny of punishment and torment.
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)
In summary, these key passages depict Lucifer as a fallen angel who rebelled against God out of pride. He tempts humanity toward sin and evil, but Christ defeated him through the cross. Satan continues to prowl the earth deceiving people, but Christians can resist him through Jesus. One day Satan and his followers will face eternal judgment.