Why did satan say ‘IF’ you are the Son of God?

<p>In <a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/4-3.htm" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Matthew 4:3</strong></a>, at the Temptation of Jesus, the devil said to Jesus,</p> <p><em>And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”</em></p> <p>In <a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/4-6.htm" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Matthew 4:6</strong></a>, at the temptation of Jesus, the devil said to Jesus again-</p> <p><em>“If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: ‘HE WILL GIVE HIS ANGELS ORDERS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON THEIR HANDS THEY WILL LIFT YOU UP, SO THAT YOU DO NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”</em></p> <p>Why did the devil say, ‘If’? We know that the devil and his unholy angels knew that Jesus is the Son of God. (<a href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/8-29.htm" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Matthew 8:29</strong></a>, <a href="https://biblehub.com/mark/3-11.htm" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Mark 3:11</strong></a>). They knew He is the Lord Most High. (<a href="https://biblehub.com/nasb_/mark/5.htm" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Mark 5:7</strong></a>) The Holy One of God. (<a href="https://biblehub.com/mark/1-24.htm" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Mark 1:24</strong></a>). And satan is the ringleader of them all, and he <em>certainly </em>knows who Jesus is.</p> <p>Listen in to hear how pride vs. humility enters into this.</p> <p>This episode is also available as a blog post: <a href="//In Matthew 4:3, at the Temptation of Jesus, the devil said to Jesus, And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” In Matthew 4:6, at the temptation of Jesus, the devil said to Jesus again- “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: ‘HE WILL GIVE HIS ANGELS ORDERS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON THEIR HANDS THEY WILL LIFT YOU UP, SO THAT YOU DO NOT STRIKE YO