Episode 2882: Did Christ hide his identity from Satan? with Nancy

Did Christ Hide His Identity from Satan? What did Satan know and when did he know it?
Nancy: Welcome to today’s episode, where we delve into a profound theological mystery: Did Christ hide His identity as the Son of God from Satan, or did Satan know who He truly was? This question has intrigued theologians and saints for centuries. Joining us on this journey are insights from Sacred Scripture, the writings of the Church Fathers, and the reflections of great saints and theologians. I have my Co-Host Walt on this Episode to teach him a few things. Hi Walt!
Walt: Hi Nancy! Sounds like a very interesting topic.
Opening Prayer
Nancy: Let us begin with prayer.
"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit didst instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Introduction to the Topic
Nancy: The question of whether Satan fully knew Christ’s identity touches on the nature of Christ's mission, Satan’s limited understanding, and God’s eternal wisdom. In Matthew 4:3, Satan tempts Christ, saying, "If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." Does this imply doubt or an attempt to provoke a reaction? Let’s unpack this mystery. What Does Scripture Say? Walt, can you help us out here?
Walt: The Gospels offer key moments to consider:
The Temptation in the Desert (Matthew 4:1-11):
Satan begins by challenging Christ: "If Thou be the Son of God..." The phrasing suggests Satan may suspect Christ’s divinity but lacks full certainty. St. John Chrysostom noted that Satan’s temptation was a probe, aiming to confirm whether Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
Demons Recognizing Christ:
In Mark 1:24, a demon cries out, "I know who Thou art, the Holy One of God!" Why would demons recognize Christ, but Satan remain unsure? St. Thomas Aquinas explains in the Summa Theologica that while demons, as fallen angels, have superior intellects, their knowledge is still limited by God’s will. But now Nancy how about the Church Fathers and Theologians understanding of Satan’s Knowledge
Nancy: Turning to the Church Fathers and theologians, we find nuanced interpretations:
St. Irenaeus of Lyons:
St. Irenaeus taught that God veiled His full plan of salvation from Satan, allowing Satan to act freely but ultimately ensuring his defeat. This veiling protected the Paschal Mystery.
Components of the Paschal Mystery:
Passion
Death
Resurrection
Ascension
Origen (Church Father from the 3rd Century):
“Interestingly, the Church Father Origen observed that God allowed Mary’s marriage to Joseph to conceal from the devil the miraculous conception of Jesus. In this way, the protective presence of Joseph helped mislead the demons into thinking Jesus had been born of flesh and blood just like any other human being.” (Clemment Harold)
I found another example also referencing Origen that said,
“This was his belief: ‘Lest the external semblance of virginity would reveal sin if the pregnancy of the virgin were noticed, Christ had to be born of a virgin who not only was espoused, but, as Matthew writes, was already entrusted to a husband even though that husband did not know her.”

I also read, “In the words of St. Ambrose, ‘The Lord preferred that some people should doubt His own origin rather than His mother’s honor. He knew the delicate modesty of the Virgin as well as the insecure reputation of virginal honor.’
And author of The Man Nearest to Christ by Francis Filas, said “That St. Joseph was to be more than the protector of the Blessed Virgin’s honor. He served preeminently as an impeachable witness to certify her virgin birth.” (pages 62-3; By F.L. Filas, S.J., 1944)

St. Augustine seems to be saying something similar.

St. Augustine:
St. Augustine, in City of God, argues that Satan may have perceived Christ’s holiness but could not grasp the mystery of the Incarnation. Christ’s humility His taking on flesh was utterly alien to Satan’s prideful nature.
And likewise, St. Thomas Aquinas says something similar as well:
St. Thomas Aquinas:
In the Summa Theologica (III, Q. 41), Aquinas explains that Satan's knowledge was limited. While Satan recognized Jesus as a holy man and possibly suspected His divinity, the precise union of divine and human natures in the Person of Christ was beyond his comprehension.
So Walt, I have a two questions for you:
1. Did Joseph’s protective presence, which made it seem as though Jesus was born of flesh like any other human, possibly mislead or even trick the devil?
2. Did Satan know of the passion?
Walt: Another way of asking the question is whether Satan understood that Christ’s death would bring salvation.
The Cross as a Trap:
St. Gregory the Great described the Cross as the "hook" on which Satan was caught. Satan may have incited the Passion, believing he could thwart Christ, but he failed to see that Christ’s sacrifice was the path to humanity’s redemption.
The Doctrine of St. Maximus the Confessor:
St. Maximus emphasized that Satan, blinded by pride, could not fathom the humility of God made man. He saw Christ’s suffering as a weakness rather than the ultimate act of divine power.

But Nancy, why would God veil Christ’s identity?
Nancy: The veiling of Christ’s identity serves a salvific purpose.
To Fulfill Prophecy:
Isaiah 53:2-3 describes the Messiah as one without form or majesty. By veiling His divinity, Christ fulfilled the prophecies of the Suffering Servant.
To Defeat Satan’s Pride:
St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:8, "None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." The "rulers" here can be understood as both earthly authorities and Satan.
To Redeem Humanity:
By hiding His full identity, Christ ensured that His sacrifice was freely chosen and accepted in faith by those who followed Him.
Walt, do you want to discuss Saintly reflections?
Walt: Let’s hear from two great saints:
St. Alphonsus Liguori:
"Satan’s greatest mistake was thinking that by destroying Christ, he would destroy God’s plan. But in that act, Christ triumphed."
St. Louis de Montfort:
"The humility of Christ was a weapon Satan could not understand, for Satan’s pride blinded him to the truth."
So, Nancy what are the Practical Lessons for Today
Nancy: If you mean what can we learn from this and why do we care, then I would say that…
God’s Wisdom Surpasses All:
Only God is omnipotent. Just as Satan could not comprehend Christ’s plan, we, too, must trust in God’s providence even when His ways are hidden.
Humility as a Weapon:
Christ’s humility defeated Satan’s pride. We are called to imitate this humility in our daily lives.
Nancy - Concluding Thoughts
Nancy: Whether or not Satan fully knew Christ’s identity, the greater truth is that God’s plan cannot be thwarted. Let’s also remember what caused Satan to fall in the first place. As you already said, it was Satan’s own pride that blinded him to the point where he thought he could challenge God; to the point where he thought he could actually change the outcome. This goes back to the quotes of St. Alphonsus Liguori and St. Louis de Montfort you mentioned earlier.
So Satan’s fall did not lessen his pride or self-deception and we know this from scripture. Perhaps his failed attempts only continued to fuel his false pride and his thinking that he could yet outsmart God. It is his own continual false belief, over the course of time, that consumes him; and isn’t it this same sinful pride and delusion that can cause man to be evil?
St. Augustine said, “Despite their evil, God does not withdraw His goodness and mercy.”
And he also said, "God judged it better to bring good out of evil than to suffer no evil to exist."
And so it all comes back to God’s plan, doesn’t it?
“For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.” John 3:16
It is Satan who proves that God uses evil for good because the Lord’s death brought our salvation. So if Satan knew Christ’s identity or not, it really doesn’t matter, because he wouldn’t have won anyway. And he never will.
What closing comments would you like to share, Walt?

Closing Prayer
Nancy: Let us close with prayer:
"O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, who for our salvation humbled Thyself even unto death, grant us the grace to follow Thee in humility and trust. May we always remember that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Thy Church. Amen."
Nancy: Thank you, Walt, for co-hosting with me and thank you all for joining us on this deep theological journey. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you in His grace. And in the words of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “God love you.”