Mat 4:1, 3, 16:1, 19:3, 22:18, 35 | Barnes | STEP | MATTHEW CHAPTER 4 Verse 1. The wilderness . . The Spirit . Luke says, ( ,) that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. It was by his influence, therefore, that Christ went into the desert. To be tempted . The word to tempt , in the original, means to try, to endeavour, to attempt to do a thing; then, to try the nature of a thing, as metals by fire; then, to test moral qualities by trying them , to see how they will endure; then, to endeavour to draw men away from virtue by suggesting motives to evil. This is the meaning here, and this is now the established meaning of the word in the English language. The devil . This word originally means an adversary, or an accuser; thence any one opposed; thence an enemy of any kind. It is given in the Scriptures, by way of eminence, to the leader of evil angels--a being characterized as full of subtlety, envy, art, and hatred of mankind. He is known, also, by the name of Satan , ; Beelzebub , ; the old Serpent , ; and the prince of the power of the air, . The name is sometimes given to men and women. Truce-breakers, slanderers --in the original, devils. : So must their wives be grave, not slanderers--in the original, devils. (a) "led up of the Spirit" (b) "to be tempted"

Matthew 4:1

MATTHEW CHAPTER 4

Verse 1. The wilderness. Mt 3:1.

The Spirit. Luke says, (Lk 4:1,) that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. It was by his influence, therefore, that Christ went into the desert.

To be tempted. The word to tempt, in the original, means to try, to endeavour, to attempt to do a thing; then, to try the nature of a thing, as metals by fire; then, to test moral qualities by trying them, to see how they will endure; then, to endeavour to draw men away from virtue by suggesting motives to evil. This is the meaning here, and this is now the established meaning of the word in the English language.

The devil. This word originally means an adversary, or an accuser; thence any one opposed; thence an enemy of any kind. It is given in the Scriptures, by way of eminence, to the leader of evil angels--a being characterized as full of subtlety, envy, art, and hatred of mankind. He is known, also, by the name of Satan, Job 1:6-12, Mt 12:26; Beelzebub, Mt 12:24; the old Serpent, Rev 12:9; and the prince of the power of the air, Eph 2:2. The name is sometimes given to men and women. 2Ti 3:3 Truce-breakers, slanderers--in the original, devils. 1Timm 3:2: So must their wives be grave, not slanderers--in the original, devils.

(a) "led up of the Spirit" 1Kgs 18:12, Eze 11:1,24, Acts 8:39 (b) "to be tempted" Mk 1:12, Lk 4:1

Matthew 4:3

Verse 3. The tempter. The devil, or Satan. See Mt 4:1.

If thou be the Son of God. If thou art the Messiah--if God's own Son--then thou hast power to work a miracle; and here is a fit opportunity to try thy power, and show that thou art truly his Son.

Command that these stones, etc. The stones that were lying around him in the wilderness, No temptation could have been more plausible, or more likely to succeed, than this. He had just been declared to be the Son of God, (Mt 3:17) and here was an opportunity to show that he was really so. The circumstances were such as to make it appear plausible and proper to work this miracle. "Here you are," was the language of Satan, "hungry, cast out, alone, needy, poor, and yet the Son of God! If you have this power, how easy could you satisfy your wants! How foolish is it, then, for the Son of God, having all power, to be starving in this manner, when by a word he could show his power, and relieve his wants, and when in the thing itself there could be nothing wrong!"

Matthew 16:1

MATTHEW CHAPTER 16

Verses 1-4. See also Mk 8:11,12. The Pharisees also with the Saducees. Mt 3:7.

Tempting. That is, trying him --feigning a desire to see evidence that he was the Messiah, but with a real desire to see him make the attempt to work a miracle and fail, that they might betray and ruin him.

A sign from heaven. Some miraculous appearance in the sky. Such appearances had been given by the prophets; and they supposed, if he was the Messiah, that his miracles would not all be confined to the earth, but that he was able to give some signal miracle from heaven. Samuel had caused it to thunder, 1Sam 12:16-18. Isaiah had caused the shadow to go back ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz, Isa 38:8 and Moses had sent them manna from heaven, Ex 16:4, Jn 6:31. It is proper to say, that though Christ did not choose then to show such wonders, yet far more stupendous signs from heaven than these were exhibited at his death.

Matthew 19:3

Verse 3. The Pharisees also came. Mt 3:7.

Tempting him. This means, to get him, if possible, to express an opinion that should involve him in difficulty. There was the more art in this captious question which they proposed, as at that time the people were very much divided on the subject. A part, following the opinions of Hillel, said, that a man might divorce his wife for any offence, or any dislike he might have of her. Mt 5:31. Others, of the school of Shammai, maintained, that divorce was unlawful, except in case of adultery. Whatever opinion, therefore, Christ expressed, they expected that he would involve himself in difficulty with one of their parties.

Matthew 22:18

Verse 18. Jesus perceived their wickedness. This must have been done by his power of searching the heart, and proves that he was omniscient. No mere man has the power of discerning the motives of others.

Tempt ye me. Try me, or endeavour to lead me into difficulty by an insidious question.

Hypocrites. Dissemblers. Professing to be candid inquirers, when their only object is to lead into difficulty. Mt 6:2.

Matthew 22:35

Verse 35. A Lawyer. This does not mean one that practised law, as among us; but one learned or skilled in the law of Moses. Mark calls him "one of the scribes." This means the same thing. The scribes were men of learning; particularly men skilled in the law of Moses. He had heard him reasoning with the Sadducees, and perceived that he answered them well; and he was thought to be better qualified to hold a debate with him, (Mark.) This man was probably of a candid turn of mind; perhaps willing to know the truth; and not entering very fully into their malicious intentions, but acting as their agent, Mk 12:34.

Tempting him. Trying him. Proposing a question to test his knowledge of the law.

(i) "one of them" Lk 10:25