The statement from Jesus in Luke 10:18 refers to Satan’s original fall from heaven before the creation of humanity. This fall is described in other parts of Scripture, though not in as much detail as Jesus’ statement here. By looking at the context of Luke 10 and other biblical passages, we can gain insight into the meaning behind Jesus’ words “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
The Context of Luke 10
In Luke 10, Jesus has sent out 72 disciples to preach, teach, and heal in his name. They return marveling that even the demons submit to them when they invoke Jesus’ name. Jesus affirms that he has given them authority to “tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19).
It’s in this context of spiritual authority and victory that Jesus makes the statement about seeing Satan fall. His point seems to be that the ministry of the gospel will deal repeated defeats to Satan and his forces. Satan’s power has been decisively broken by Jesus’ work, foreshadowed by the original casting down described here.
Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28
Outside of Luke 10, two Old Testament passages provide more detail on Satan’s original rebellion and judgment.
Isaiah 14:12-15 depicts the fall of the king of Babylon, but also uses language that implies a dual reference to Satan:
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:12-15 ESV)
This passage pictures Satan’s desire to exalt himself above God, seeking to set himself up as a rival rather than submit to God’s authority. As a result, he is humbled and brought down.
Ezekiel 28:11-19 contains a similar picture, addressed to the king of Tyre but also referring to Satan:
“You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground…” (Ezekiel 28:12-17 ESV)
Here, imagery of a perfect, wise guardian cherub parallels the idea in Isaiah 14 that Satan sought to exalt himself. Pride led to rebellion against God, resulting in his being cast down from the heavenly mountain of God.
Revelation 12
Revelation 12 also offers a symbolic depiction of Satan’s fall. After a vision of a woman who represents faithful Israel bringing forth the Messiah, John sees:
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. (Revelation 12:3-4 ESV)
The dragon is identified as Satan in verse 9. The sweeping down of stars likely represents how Satan’s rebellion took other angels with him. They were cast down from their position in heaven to earth.
While full details are scarce, Scripture provides a consistent picture of proud rebellion leading to Satan’s judgment and removal from heaven, along with other angels who followed him. Jesus apparently had some visionary experience of witnessing this fall happen. His statement in Luke 10 draws on this well-known biblical backdrop about Satan’s ancient judgment.
The Timing of Satan’s Fall
When did Satan’s fall originally occur? Jesus’ words in Luke 10 suggest it was before the creation of humanity, as He speaks of having seen it happen. Certain other clues in Scripture point to Satan’s fall occurring between the original creation (Genesis 1:1) and the temptation in Eden (Genesis 3):
– Genesis 1 says God’s creation was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). This seems incompatible with it containing rebellion against God or a fallen Satan corrupting it. The initial perfection probably points to a time before Satan’s fall.
– In Genesis 3, Satan appears as a tempting serpent who has already turned against God. His fall must come before this event.
– 1 John 3:8 notes that the devil has been sinning “from the beginning.” This supports the idea that Satan’s fall was very early on, near the dawn of creation.
– 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 6 indicate the judgment of fallen angels coincided with the flood of Noah. They were cast into chains and darkness. Though their initial fall was earlier, this additional judgment came at that time as a consequence of further sinful rebellion.
So while the exact timing is not revealed, Scripture suggests Satan’s fall clearly happened between the dawn of creation and his appearance as tempter in Eden. It was an early event that has had longstanding consequences in the spiritual realm and on earth.
The Reasons and Consequences of Satan’s Fall
Though the details of how and why Satan fell are not fully furnished, several ideas emerge about the motives and consequences involved:
– Pride. 1 Timothy 3:6 tells us pride was central to Satan’s fall. He sought to exalt himself rather than submit to God’s authority and purposes.
– Rebellion. Satan’s pride led to open rebellion, with warfare in heaven as he fought against God and Michael the archangel (Revelation 12:7-9). He refused to accept God’s rule.
– Deception. Jesus calls Satan “a liar and the father of lies” in John 8:44. Deceit was likely part of his rebellion and continues in his temptations to humanity.
– Judgment. 2 Peter 2:4 describes God casting the angels that sinned into hell in judgment. Satan and his followers were removed from heaven and lost their position because of their pride and rebellion.
– Corruption of Creation. With Satan’s presence on earth, sin and its corrupting influence entered the created world. God’s perfect paradise became flawed by temptation, death, and suffering.
– Continued Opposition to God’s Kingdom. Satan continues to rebel against God’s purposes in the world. He battles against the advance of God’s kingdom through deceit, temptation, and accusation of believers.
Satan’s ancient fall set up an ongoing conflict between God’s kingdom and the forces of evil in our world. But through Jesus’ victory over sin at the cross, Satan’s power and influence have been decisively broken. The advancing gospel continues to push back his corruption.
Conclusion
Jesus’ statement about seeing Satan fall like lightning refers primarily to an ancient event before creation described in limited fashion in other parts of Scripture. Satan’s rebellion introduced evil into the created world, but Jesus came to destroy those works of the devil and release people from bondage to sin and corruption. The story that begins with Satan’s fall culminates in the triumph of Christ’s redeeming work.