The Fall of Satan (Luke 10:18)

In this article, Prof. Bruce considers what Jesus meant when he said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

Summary: Milton’s poem — explanation of Isaiah 14:12 — Satan, the chief prosecutor — Satan’s fall, not in the past, but because of Jesus’s ministry — the disciples sent out — the campaign against Satan — imagery from Psalm 91:13 Genesis 3:15 also — a final caution.

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Frederick Fyvie Bruce (1910 – 1990) was Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester. He was born in Elgin, northern Scotland, and was educated at the University of Aberdeen, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Vienna. He wrote over thirty books and served as editor of The Evangelical Quarterly. He retired from teaching in 1978.

Bruce was a distinguished scholar, best known for his book, Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free. He also wrote commentaries on the Gospel of John, Acts, 1 & 2 Corinthians, and the Epistle to the Hebrews.

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This article first appeared in Hard Sayings of Jesus. (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1983). It is reproduced here,  edited (with summary) exclusively for the Krapf Project by permission of F.F. Bruce, Copyright International, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, and Bath, England.