Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
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.
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: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
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.
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.
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.
Matthew 4 is a pivotal chapter, marking the transition from Jesus's preparation for ministry to the active commencement of His public work. It reveals Jesus's triumph over temptation, the beginning of His Galilean ministry, and the calling of His first disciples. This chapter lays the foundation for understanding Jesus's authority, His message, and the nature of discipleship.
The Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11)
Immediately following the affirmation of Jesus as the Son of God at His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), the Holy Spirit leads Him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This wasn't a random occurrence, but a divinely orchestrated event to demonstrate Jesus's unwavering obedience and His superiority over Satan. It underscores the truth that God is not on the defensive when we face temptation, but rather uses it as an opportunity to showcase the power of Christ within us.
Jesus's forty-day fast highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment over physical needs. Fasting, in this context, is not merely abstaining from food, but a deliberate act of focusing on prayer and fellowship with God. It's about re-aligning our priorities and feeding our spirit rather than solely satisfying our physical cravings.
The devil's temptations are carefully crafted to exploit Jesus's vulnerability. The first temptation, to turn stones into bread, questions God's provision. The devil knows our weaknesses and tailors his temptations accordingly. He challenges Jesus to use His divine power for personal comfort, tempting Him to act independently of God's timing and plan. Jesus's response, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, emphasizes that true life comes not from physical sustenance alone, but from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Jesus trusts in God's provision, demonstrating a willingness to depend on God rather than His own power.
The second temptation involves a twisted use of Scripture. Satan takes Jesus to the highest point of the temple and urges Him to throw Himself down, citing Psalm 91:11-12 to suggest divine protection. This temptation challenges Jesus to prove His Messiahship in a spectacular way that ignores God's established plan. It highlights the danger of manipulating Scripture to justify our own desires or to force God's hand. Jesus counters with Deuteronomy 6:16, reminding us that we should not test God or demand that He act according to our will.
The final temptation is a blatant offer of worldly power and glory in exchange for worship. Satan shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and promises Him authority over them if He will simply bow down. This temptation strikes at the heart of Jesus's mission, offering Him a shortcut to the very kingdom He came to establish. It appeals to impatience, suggesting that Jesus could bypass the suffering of the cross and immediately receive the promised inheritance. Jesus firmly rejects this offer, quoting Deuteronomy 6:13 and declaring that worship belongs solely to God.
Jesus's victory over temptation demonstrates the power of the Word of God in resisting the devil. He wields Scripture as a sword (Ephesians 6:17), effectively silencing the tempter and reaffirming His commitment to God's will. After the devil's departure, angels minister to Jesus, a reminder that God always provides strength and support in the aftermath of spiritual battles. James 4:7 encourages us to "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you," echoing the triumph of Christ in this passage.
The Beginning of Jesus's Galilean Ministry (Matthew 4:12-17)
Upon hearing of John the Baptist's arrest, Jesus withdraws to Galilee, specifically to Capernaum, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2. This region, once considered to be in darkness due to its proximity to Gentile nations, becomes the focal point of Jesus's ministry. Matthew highlights that the arrival of Jesus brings a great light to those living in spiritual darkness. This "light" is the Messiah, bringing hope and salvation to those who were once marginalized and forgotten.
Jesus's message in Galilee is consistent with that of John the Baptist: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 4:17). This call to repentance signifies a turning away from sin and a turning towards God in anticipation of His coming kingdom.
The Calling of the First Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22)
As Jesus walks along the Sea of Galilee, He calls Peter and Andrew, two brothers who are fishermen, to follow Him. He promises to make them "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), transforming their skills and passions to serve a greater purpose. Similarly, He calls James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who are also fishermen. In both instances, the men immediately leave their nets and follow Jesus.
This immediate response underscores the importance of prioritizing discipleship above all else. While not every believer is called to a full-time ministry vocation, every believer is called to be a full-time Christian. Following Christ must be our number one priority.
The calling of the disciples highlights the transformative power of encountering Jesus. He takes ordinary people with ordinary skills and equips them to do extraordinary things. He invites us to leave behind our old lives and embrace a new identity as His followers. If you’re not fishing, you’re not following. If your Christian life does not involve evangelizing the lost, you’re not functioning like the disciple Jesus intends you to be. Evangelism includes sharing the gospel and intentionally seeking to convert the hearer to faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus's Ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:23-25)
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Teaching involves clearly articulating the content of the message. Preaching includes calling for a response to what is taught. Healing consists of a visible demonstration of the power of the message. His ministry is characterized by both word and deed, demonstrating the power and compassion of the kingdom of God.
The news about Jesus spreads rapidly, drawing large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. People are drawn to Him because of His teaching, His miracles, and His message of hope.
Matthew 4 concludes with a picture of Jesus's growing popularity and the anticipation of the Sermon on the Mount, which will further reveal the nature of the kingdom of heaven.
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
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.
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: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
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.
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.
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.
Matthew 4 is a pivotal chapter, marking the transition from Jesus's preparation for ministry to the active commencement of His public work. It reveals Jesus's triumph over temptation, the beginning of His Galilean ministry, and the calling of His first disciples. This chapter lays the foundation for understanding Jesus's authority, His message, and the nature of discipleship.
The Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11)
Immediately following the affirmation of Jesus as the Son of God at His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), the Holy Spirit leads Him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This wasn't a random occurrence, but a divinely orchestrated event to demonstrate Jesus's unwavering obedience and His superiority over Satan. It underscores the truth that God is not on the defensive when we face temptation, but rather uses it as an opportunity to showcase the power of Christ within us.
Jesus's forty-day fast highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment over physical needs. Fasting, in this context, is not merely abstaining from food, but a deliberate act of focusing on prayer and fellowship with God. It's about re-aligning our priorities and feeding our spirit rather than solely satisfying our physical cravings.
The devil's temptations are carefully crafted to exploit Jesus's vulnerability. The first temptation, to turn stones into bread, questions God's provision. The devil knows our weaknesses and tailors his temptations accordingly. He challenges Jesus to use His divine power for personal comfort, tempting Him to act independently of God's timing and plan. Jesus's response, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, emphasizes that true life comes not from physical sustenance alone, but from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Jesus trusts in God's provision, demonstrating a willingness to depend on God rather than His own power.
The second temptation involves a twisted use of Scripture. Satan takes Jesus to the highest point of the temple and urges Him to throw Himself down, citing Psalm 91:11-12 to suggest divine protection. This temptation challenges Jesus to prove His Messiahship in a spectacular way that ignores God's established plan. It highlights the danger of manipulating Scripture to justify our own desires or to force God's hand. Jesus counters with Deuteronomy 6:16, reminding us that we should not test God or demand that He act according to our will.
The final temptation is a blatant offer of worldly power and glory in exchange for worship. Satan shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and promises Him authority over them if He will simply bow down. This temptation strikes at the heart of Jesus's mission, offering Him a shortcut to the very kingdom He came to establish. It appeals to impatience, suggesting that Jesus could bypass the suffering of the cross and immediately receive the promised inheritance. Jesus firmly rejects this offer, quoting Deuteronomy 6:13 and declaring that worship belongs solely to God.
Jesus's victory over temptation demonstrates the power of the Word of God in resisting the devil. He wields Scripture as a sword (Ephesians 6:17), effectively silencing the tempter and reaffirming His commitment to God's will. After the devil's departure, angels minister to Jesus, a reminder that God always provides strength and support in the aftermath of spiritual battles. James 4:7 encourages us to "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you," echoing the triumph of Christ in this passage.
The Beginning of Jesus's Galilean Ministry (Matthew 4:12-17)
Upon hearing of John the Baptist's arrest, Jesus withdraws to Galilee, specifically to Capernaum, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-2. This region, once considered to be in darkness due to its proximity to Gentile nations, becomes the focal point of Jesus's ministry. Matthew highlights that the arrival of Jesus brings a great light to those living in spiritual darkness. This "light" is the Messiah, bringing hope and salvation to those who were once marginalized and forgotten.
Jesus's message in Galilee is consistent with that of John the Baptist: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 4:17). This call to repentance signifies a turning away from sin and a turning towards God in anticipation of His coming kingdom.
The Calling of the First Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22)
As Jesus walks along the Sea of Galilee, He calls Peter and Andrew, two brothers who are fishermen, to follow Him. He promises to make them "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), transforming their skills and passions to serve a greater purpose. Similarly, He calls James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who are also fishermen. In both instances, the men immediately leave their nets and follow Jesus.
This immediate response underscores the importance of prioritizing discipleship above all else. While not every believer is called to a full-time ministry vocation, every believer is called to be a full-time Christian. Following Christ must be our number one priority.
The calling of the disciples highlights the transformative power of encountering Jesus. He takes ordinary people with ordinary skills and equips them to do extraordinary things. He invites us to leave behind our old lives and embrace a new identity as His followers. If you’re not fishing, you’re not following. If your Christian life does not involve evangelizing the lost, you’re not functioning like the disciple Jesus intends you to be. Evangelism includes sharing the gospel and intentionally seeking to convert the hearer to faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus's Ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:23-25)
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Teaching involves clearly articulating the content of the message. Preaching includes calling for a response to what is taught. Healing consists of a visible demonstration of the power of the message. His ministry is characterized by both word and deed, demonstrating the power and compassion of the kingdom of God.
The news about Jesus spreads rapidly, drawing large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. People are drawn to Him because of His teaching, His miracles, and His message of hope.
Matthew 4 concludes with a picture of Jesus's growing popularity and the anticipation of the Sermon on the Mount, which will further reveal the nature of the kingdom of heaven.