Matthew 4
The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness This section describes how Jesus, after his baptism, was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. There, he fasted for forty days and nights and was tempted by the devil. This was a special time of testing before Jesus began his public work. The devil tried to get Jesus to use his power for himself, to test God, and to bow down and worship him. Jesus resisted every temptation by quoting Scripture and showed us how to overcome the devil’s tricks. The section teaches us about the reality of temptation, the power of God's Word, and the importance of trusting and obeying God above all else.v. 1: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness. He went there not by accident, but because God had a purpose for this time of testing. Even though Jesus is the Son of God, he allowed himself to be tempted as we are, but without sin (Matthew 4:1 a). v. 2: And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. Jesus fasted for forty days and nights, just like Moses and Elijah did in the Old Testament. After this long fast, he was very hungry and weak, showing that he truly became human and experienced real needs (Matthew 4:2 b). v. 3: And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. The devil tempted Jesus to use his power to satisfy his own hunger. He tried to make Jesus doubt his identity as God’s Son and to act independently from God’s will. But Jesus did not give in to this selfish temptation (Matthew 4:3 c). v. 4: But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Jesus answered with Scripture from Deuteronomy 8:3 d. He reminded the devil that life is not just about food, but about trusting and obeying God’s Word. Jesus showed us that we should depend on God, not just on physical things (Matthew 4:4 e). v. 5-6: Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee… The devil tried to get Jesus to test God’s protection by throwing himself off the temple and even quoted Scripture (Psalm 91:11-12 f). But he twisted the meaning of God’s Word, trying to use it for his own purpose (Matthew 4:5-6 g). – v. 7: Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Jesus again answered with Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:16 h). He refused to test God’s promises in a proud or foolish way. We must trust God, but not demand signs or put ourselves in danger just to see if God will save us (Matthew 4:7 i). v. 8-9: Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. The devil promised Jesus all the power and glory of the world if he would worship him. This was an attempt to get Jesus to take a shortcut to kingship, without going through the suffering and obedience God required. But Jesus would never worship anyone except God (Matthew 4:8-9 j). – v. 10: Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Jesus firmly rejected the devil and quoted Deuteronomy 6:13 k. He made it clear that only God deserves worship and service. Jesus would obey God alone, no matter what was offered to him (Matthew 4:10 l). v. 11: Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. After Jesus had resisted all the temptations, the devil left him. Then, angels came to take care of Jesus and meet his needs. God honored Jesus’ faithfulness and showed that he cares for those who trust him (Matthew 4:11 m).In summary, Matthew 4:1-11 shows us that Jesus overcame temptation by relying on God’s Word and staying faithful to his Father. He was tempted in every way, just as we are, but never sinned (Hebrews 4:15 n). We learn to use Scripture as our defense, to trust God in every situation, and to worship and serve only him. Opening of Christ's MinistryThis section tells about the beginning of Jesus' public preaching. Jesus came to be a preacher of salvation, and now He started to share the good news publicly in Galilee. Although other events happened between His temptation and this time, Matthew focuses here on Jesus’ first public ministry, showing how God prepared the way through John the Baptist.v. 12: Jesus began His ministry after hearing that John the Baptist was put in prison. Jesus knew of John’s troubles and adjusted His plans accordingly. He waited until John’s work was done before stepping forward publicly. This shows the wisdom of God’s timing. John was like a forerunner, preparing people, but he was not a rival to Jesus. When one servant’s work is finished, God raises another to continue the mission. Jesus went into Galilee, a region far from Jerusalem, to continue the work John had started. v. 13: Jesus left Nazareth, His hometown, because the people there rejected Him (Luke 4:29 o). Nazareth was the first place to refuse Jesus, so He left it. This shows that God will not stay where He is not welcome. It also reminds us that rejecting Jesus has consequences. Instead, Jesus went to Capernaum, a city by the Sea of Galilee. This was a larger, busier town where people welcomed Him. Capernaum became Jesus’ base for His ministry, though He traveled often to teach and heal. v. 14-16: Matthew quotes Isaiah’s prophecy to show that Jesus’ ministry in Galilee fulfilled scripture (Isaiah 9:1-2 p). The land of Zebulun and Naphtali, near the sea, was once in darkness but now saw a great light. This light is the gospel Jesus brought. Before Jesus, the people were in darkness, like being near death and without hope. The gospel is a great light that reveals God’s truth and leads people to salvation. Jesus’ coming was like the dawn breaking after a long night, bringing hope and life. – – v. 17: From this time, Jesus began to preach publicly, calling people to repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This was the same message John the Baptist preached (Matthew 3:2 q). Jesus honored John’s ministry by preaching the same message, showing that God’s mission is consistent. Repentance means turning from sin and preparing to live under God’s rule. The kingdom of heaven was near, and Jesus wanted people ready to receive it. This message was simple but powerful, and it remained the foundation of Jesus’ teaching throughout His ministry. Christ Calls Peter, Andrew, James, and JohnWhen Jesus began his public ministry, he also started to gather his first disciples. These men would first listen to his teaching and witness his miracles, and later, they would become preachers and witnesses to others. This passage tells us about the first people Jesus called to follow him closely and work with him.v. 18: Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee when he called his first disciples. This place was not famous or important, but Jesus chose it to show that God often chooses what people think is unimportant. The sea of Galilee was a simple place, and the people there were not rich or well-educated. Still, Jesus honored this place with his presence and miracles. He did not go to the palace or the temple to find his followers, but to ordinary people by the sea. This shows that God’s ways are different from human ways (1 Corinthians 1:27 r). v. 19: The first disciples Jesus called were two pairs of brothers: Peter and Andrew, and James and John. They had probably met Jesus before (John 1:40-41 s), but now he called them to follow him more closely. They had been disciples of John the Baptist, so they were ready to follow Jesus. It is a blessing when family members follow Jesus together (Romans 9:3 t). These men were fishermen. They were not rich or highly educated, but Jesus chose them. This teaches us that Jesus does not look down on poor or uneducated people. He often gives special honor to those who seem least important. These men were also hardworking and used to facing difficulties, which prepared them for the challenges of following Jesus. v. 20: Peter and Andrew were fishing when Jesus called them, and James and John were mending their nets with their father Zebedee. This shows they were busy and responsible. It is good to be found working when Jesus calls. James and John were helping their father, showing respect and care for their family. Ministers and followers of Jesus should always be busy with good work, whether teaching, learning, or helping others. v. 21: Jesus called them with the words, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19 u). This means that just as they caught fish, now they would help bring people to God. Jesus often used simple examples from everyday life to explain spiritual things. Ministers are like fishers of men, not to harm but to save people by bringing them to Jesus (Hebrews 13:17; 2 Corinthians 12:14,16 v). Only Jesus can give people the ability and wisdom to do this work. v. 22: To become fishers of men, the disciples had to follow Jesus closely and learn from him. Those who want to serve Jesus must first know him well and spend time with him. The best way to learn is by following Jesus and watching what he does (Acts 1:21 w). Ministers should do their work as Jesus did—with care, faithfulness, and love. Christ Preaches in Galilee; Miracles of Christ in GalileeThis section shows both the preaching and the healing work of Jesus in Galilee. Jesus was very active, traveling to many towns and villages, teaching in synagogues, and bringing the message of God’s kingdom. He did not wait for people to come to him but went out to meet them, showing his grace and humility. Along with his teaching, Jesus healed many people, proving his power and kindness. The miracles he performed were signs that he truly came from God, and they showed both his mercy and the deeper spiritual healing he offers.v. 23: Jesus traveled through all of Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and preached the gospel of the kingdom. The “gospel of the kingdom” means the good news about God’s rule—a kingdom greater than any on earth, bringing grace and hope. In the synagogues, people were already gathered to worship and hear the scriptures, so Jesus used these places to explain the coming of God’s kingdom (Proverbs 1:21 x). Jesus worked hard, going from place to place to share the message. He could have made everyone come to him, but he chose to go to them, showing his love and desire to save. This is an example for all who serve God, to work hard and look for ways to do good everywhere. v. 24: Jesus was also a powerful healer. He healed every kind of sickness and disease. Some diseases are very hard for doctors to cure, but nothing was too difficult for Jesus. He healed with just a word. The types of illnesses he healed included physical weaknesses like blindness and lameness, wasting diseases, and even severe pains like convulsions or gout. He healed people who were paralyzed (palsy), those with troubled minds (lunacy), and even people possessed by demons—the worst suffering of all. Jesus showed that he has power over every kind of problem, both in the body and mind. People came to him from everywhere: Galilee, Jerusalem, Judea, and even from other regions like Syria. His fame spread far, and huge crowds came for healing and to hear him teach. Many people first came for healing, but they also heard Jesus’ teaching about peace with God. Sometimes, the blessings people receive from Jesus open their hearts to his message, just like people from Syria who came for help, but also became believers (2 Kings 5:15, 17 y) . v. 25: The miracles of Jesus are important for three reasons: the miracle, the mercy, and the mystery. The miracles showed Jesus’ divine power. He healed openly before many witnesses, and his cures were immediate and complete. These miracles proved he was truly sent by God (John 3:2; Matthew 11:4-5; John 5:36 z). The mercy of Jesus’ miracles is different from those of Moses, whose miracles were often judgments. Jesus’ miracles were acts of kindness and blessings—almost all were to help people, showing the loving nature of his message (John 10:32; Romans 2:4 aa). Lastly, there is a mystery in these miracles: by healing people’s bodies, Jesus showed that his main purpose was to heal souls. He is the true “Physician of souls” (Matthew 9:12-13 ab). Sin is like a disease in our hearts, and Jesus came to take away sin and heal us spiritually. The stories of his healings teach us about how Jesus saves and changes lives. As it is written, He forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases (Psalm 103:3 ac).
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