Mat 4:1-11 | MHM | STEP | 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 ).

‏ Matthew 4:1-11

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).

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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).

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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.