Matthew 4:1-11 > Satan Tempts Jesus- by Jeff Byerley
The Study Matt 4:1-11 Satan Tempts Jesus
This passage shows Jesus as God's faithful servant, fully obeying his Father commands despite severe testing in the wilderness. Again we see Matthew's Gospel revealing Jesus achieving victory.
There are close parallels to Israel that as a nation failed in their wilderness testing.
Outline of Passage:
4:1-2 Jesus' state before the temptations
4:3-7 Satan tempts Jesus to doubt his identity, relationship and purpose.
4:8-10 Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world.
4:11 Jesus dismisses Satan and the angels minister to him.
Our Reflections
1. Why did the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days to be “tempted” (v.1)?
2. What was the problem in Jesus turning stones into bread (v.3-4)?
3. What was the problem in gaining fame by having angels save him in falling from the Temple?
4. Offering kingdoms etc. to Jesus? – Satan's delusions about himself.
5. Use of Scripture – For good or evil.
1. Why did the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days to be “tempted” (v.1)?
The Greek word here for “tempted” can also be translated “tested”. A look at the passage, (Deut.8:1-3), from which Jesus would next quote may give the answer: It states ““Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. 2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” So now Jesus was sent into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights to be tested and strengthened in order to “possess the land”. We also noted that Moses had interceded 40 days and 40 nights on Mt Sinai fot the people, who had made and worshipped a golden calf (Deut. 4:25). Now Jesus was before God for the same amount of time preparing to save all people.
2. What was the problem in Jesus turning stones into bread (v.3-4)?
We can see from the above that God provided manna in the wilderness to feed the people. So why should not Jesus turn stones into bread to relieve his weakened hungry state? (1) God did not send Jesus into the wilderness to gorge himself on food, but to fast. (2) Jesus was to demonstrate a life of giving not getting. (3) Jesus was to rely on God the Father for his needs. “The Lord is my shepherd,. I shall not want.” (Ps. 23:1). (4) We discussed Satan's temptation had an aim of getting Jesus to use his divine powers. But he has emptied himself of these (Philippians 2:7) in coming to earth to offer himself as a human sacrifice on the cross. To resume his divine powers to eat bread, would have negated God's plan of salvation. So Jesus choose to be faithful replying with Deut 8:3 as above.
3. What was the problem in gaining fame by having angels save him in falling from the Temple? [Psalm 91:11-12].
This would prove that the Father loved Jesus, that he was the Son of God and it would also give him immediate fame to establish his kingdom. Like the first temptation, it was not the Father's intention for Jesus to establish his kingdom by demonstrations of grand miracles focusing on self love. The plan of salvation required Jesus as a suffering humble servant saving his people by dying on a cross. So Jesus faithfully responds quoting Deut. 6:16, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God [as you tempted him in Massah]”.
4. Offering kingdoms etc. to Jesus? – Satan's delusions about himself.
Whilst Jesus was in a weakened state, it still seems incredible that Satan thought he could implant doubts in Jesus' mind about who he was and being loved by the Father. Jesus had just heard the Father declare publicly “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt.3:17). Finally Satan offers the kingdoms of the world to Jesus. Whilst Satan has some control for a time over these kingdoms, they are not his to give away but the Father (Cf.Ps 121:1-2). Indeed, Satan is “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Moreover, Jesus is to receive the kingdoms from the Father anyway (Cf. Psalm 2). Jesus' reply and then command over Satan showed his end was in sight!
5. Use of Scripture – For good or evil.
Satan attempted to misuse scripture for his own ends, but Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit corrected him, a lesson for us all! Jesus showed that the word of God gives us the answer when we are faced with temptations. The Word of God provides us with, not delusions, but reality, the truth, our identity as God's people, our purpose and our destiny.