Matthew 4: Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4: Temptation of Jesus

Collin Leong. Feb 1, 2025

 v1-11: Temptation of Jesus (Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)

(v1) Jesus was led to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The devil tempted Jesus in three distinct ways:

1. (v2-4) Physical Temptation: After Jesus had fasted for forty days and nights, the devil tempted Him to turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger. Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, saying, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Sometimes, we have a real need in order to survive, like food, clothes and shelter. But that doesn't excuse us from stealing or robbing others. Instead we should pray that God will provide for us. 

We must trust that God is the God the Provider - "Yahweh Yireh" or "Jehovah Jireh". This name is derived from Genesis 22:14, where Abraham names the place where God provided a ram for the sacrifice instead of his son Isaac.

2. (v5-7) Spiritual Temptation: The devil took Jesus to the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem and challenged Him to throw Himself down, quoting Psalm 91:11-12 to suggest that angels would protect Him. Jesus countered by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, saying, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."

Sometimes the devil trick us with the scripture, when we are not paying attention to the context of the sentence of paragraph. These leads to many errors and misunderstanding, such as Prosperity Gospel (Phil 4:13), faith vs works (James 2:17), and following OT laws (Acts 15; Galatians 3). 

One way to understand the context is to read chapters before and the next. Another way is to see if other parts of the scripture contradict what we think about the verse in question. This will protect us from "false prophets" who leads us astray. 

3. (v8-11) Worldly Temptation: The devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor, offering them to Him if He would bow down and worship the devil. Jesus rebuked the devil by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, saying, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."

Riches, power, and fame frequently trap us to sin or to be distracted from serving God. While it is not wrong to work and make income, it is a sin when we love money more than we love God. 1 Timothy 6:10 says, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

These temptations tested Jesus' reliance on God, His trust in God's protection, and His loyalty to God alone. Matthew also showed that Jesus suffer just like anyone of us, and that He feels hungry and tired, when angles came and attended him. 

v12-17: Jesus Begin to Preach  (Isaiah 9:1-7; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:14-15)

(v12) Jesus withdrew to Galilee when he heard John was put in prison.  

John was captured by Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee and Perea. John had openly criticized Herod for marrying Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, which was against Jewish law. This criticism led to John's imprisonment (Mark 6:17-18).

(v13-16) Jesus left Nazareth and went and live in Capernaum, which is by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. Matthew quote a prophecy of Jesus from Isaiah 9:1,2 - "In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan - The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." (v13-16)

(v17) After this, Jesus begin to preach. telling people to repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.  In Luke 3:23, it said that Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.

v18-22: Jesus calls His First Disciples (Matthew 13:47-52; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:35-42)

(v18-20) Peter and Andrew. who were brothers, was fishing in the Sea of Galilee. Jesus told them to follow Him, and said "I will send you out to fish for people."  At once, they left their nets and followed Him.  

(v21-22) Later they saw two other brothers, James and John. They were in the boat with their father, Zebedee, preparing their nets. When Jesus called them, they immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him. 

This immediate response demonstrates their faith and willingness to leave behind their livelihoods and families to follow Jesus, and to become "fishers of men."

v23-25: Jesus Heals the Sick  (Luke 6:17-19)

(v23-25) Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee. He travels throughout the region, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. As a result, His fame spreads throughout Syria, and people bring to Him all who are ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed. Jesus heals them all. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the region across the Jordan follow Him.

This reminds me of the best way to spread the gospel. Jesus saw that many people were sick and have diseases for there were no health standard to follow at that time. He took on the role of a doctor, and miraculously healed every one of them. And those who came to him for healing also get to hear about the coming Kingdom of God.