Mat 4:1-11 | NETfull | STEP | Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:1-11

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness ^{▼▼ Or “desert.”} to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he fasted forty days and forty nights he was famished. ^{▼▼ Grk “and having fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward he was hungry.”} 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” ^{▼▼ Grk “say that these stones should become bread.”} 4 But he answered, ^{▼▼ Grk “answering, he said.” The participle ἀποκριθείς (apokriqeis) is redundant, but the syntax of the phrase has been changed for clarity.} “It is written, ‘ Man ^{▼▼ Or “a person.” Greek ὁ ἄνθρωπος (ho anthrōpos) is used generically for humanity. The translation “man” is used because the emphasis in Jesus’ response seems to be on his dependence on God as a man.} does not live ^{▼▼ Grk “will not live.” The verb in Greek is a future tense, but it is unclear whether it is meant to be taken as a command (also known as an imperatival future) or as a statement of reality (predictive future).} by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God .’” ^{▼▼ A quotation from Deut 8:3.} 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, ^{▼▼ The order of the second and third temptations differs in Luke’s account (4:5–12) from the order given in Matthew.} had him stand ^{▼▼ Grk “and he stood him.”} on the highest point ^{▼▼ The highest point of the temple probably refers to the point on the temple’s southeast corner where it looms directly over a cliff some 450 ft (135 m) high. However, some have suggested the reference could be to the temple’s high gate.} of the temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, ‘ He will command his angels concerning you ’ ^{▼▼ A quotation from Ps 91:11. This was not so much an incorrect citation as a use in a wrong context (a misapplication of the passage).} and ‘ with their hands they will lift you up, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone .’” ^{▼▼ A quotation from Ps 91:12.} 7 Jesus said to him, “Once again it is written: ‘ You are not to put the Lord your God to the test .’” ^{▼▼ A quotation from Deut 6:16.} 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur. ^{▼▼ Grk “glory.”} 9 And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you throw yourself to the ground and worship ^{▼▼ Grk “if, falling down, you will worship.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”} me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, ^{▼▼ The majority of later witnesses (C² D L Z 33 Maj.) have “behind me” (ὀπίσω μου; opisō mou) after “Go away.” But since this is the wording in Matt 16:23, where the text is certain, scribes most likely added the words here to conform to the later passage. Further, the shorter reading has superior support (א B C*^vid K P W Δ 0233 f^{1, 13}565 579* 700 al). Thus, both externally and internally, the shorter reading is strongly preferred.} Satan! For it is written: ‘ You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him .’” ^{▼▼ A quotation from Deut 6:13. The word “only” is an interpretive expansion not found in either the Hebrew or Greek (LXX) text of the OT.} 11 Then the devil left him, and angels ^{▼▼ Grk “and behold, angels.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).} came and began ministering to his needs.