Anarchy Quote by Jacques Ellul
““And the extraordinary thing is that according to these texts all powers, all the power and glory of the kingdoms, all that has to do with politics and political authority, belongs to the devil. It has all been given to him and he gives it to whom he wills. Those who hold political power receive it from him and depend upon him. (It is astonishing that in the innumerable theological discussions of the legitimacy of political power, no one has ever adduced these texts! [Matthew 4:8-9; Luke 4:6-7]) This fact is no less important than the fact that Jesus rejects the devil's offer. Jesus does not say to the devil: It is not true. You do not have power over kingdoms and states. He does not dispute this claim. He refuses the offer of power because the devil demands that he should fall down before him. This is the sole point when he says: 'You shall worship the Lord your God and you shall serve him, only him' (Matthew 4:10). We may thus say that among Jesus' immediate followers and in the first Christian generation political authorities - what we call the state - belonged to the devil and those who held power received it from him.””
About This Quote
Political power is portrayed as ultimately derived from a malevolent source, challenging claims of its divine legitimacy.
In simple terms: Power comes from evil, not divine right.
Key Takeaway
Question the source of authority.
Themes
politics
theology
authority
Mood
critical
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
theological
political
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- theological study
- political activism
- ethical discourse
Key Concepts
sociology
religious critique
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What implications arise if power is seen as morally compromised?
- How does this view affect civic responsibility?
A Different Perspective
The claim may overlook secular explanations of power structures.
