Matthew 4
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1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” 5Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’” 8Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 9He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’” 11Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him. 12Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. 13Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.” 17From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” 18Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.” 20They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 22They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him. 23Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. 25Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"But he answered, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."'"”
Matthew 4:4
Summary
Matthew chapter 4 describes significant events at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. It starts with Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Over forty days and nights, Jesus fasts and resists Satan's temptations to misuse his divine power and authority, ultimately quoting scripture to affirm his dependence on God. This period of testing highlights Jesus' humanity and his flawless adherence to God's will, contrasting with Israel's previous failures during their own wilderness experience. Afterward, Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy and preaching a message of repentance for the kingdom of heaven is near. He calls his first disciples, Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who respond immediately to his call. Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the gospel, and healing the sick, drawing great crowds. This chapter sets the stage for Jesus' ministry, emphasizing themes of obedience, temptation, the inauguration of God's kingdom, and the call to discipleship.
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Chapter outline
How Matthew 4 unfolds
Matthew 4:1–11 Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil after fasting for forty days. He resists three temptations by quoting scripture, emphasizing reliance on God.
Matthew 4:12–17 Beginning of Jesus' Ministry
After hearing about John’s imprisonment, Jesus moves to Capernaum, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about a light in darkness and begins preaching repentance.
Matthew 4:18–22 Calling of the First Disciples
Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow him, and they immediately leave their fishing work to become his disciples.
Matthew 4:23–25 Teaching and Healing in Galilee
Jesus teaches in synagogues and heals many, which draws large crowds from surrounding regions who seek him for healing.
Key verses
Matthew 4:4Matthew 4:4 highlights Jesus' reliance on God's word, central to his resistance against temptation and his mission.
Main themes in Matthew 4
Temptation
The theme of temptation surfaces when Jesus confronts the devil in the wilderness, specifically in verses 3-10. Each temptation presented to Jesus challenges his identity as the Son of God and the nature of his mission, yet he consistently chooses obedience to God’s will over succumbing to the devil's enticements. This theme highlights the significance of resisting sin and reaffirming trust in God's word, which serves as a model for believers facing their own temptations.
Repentance
Repentance is introduced in verse 17 when Jesus begins to preach about the Kingdom of Heaven, calling people to turn from their sinful ways. His message emphasizes the necessity of a transformative response to God's invitation, signaling a shift in their lives towards obedience and faith. This theme underscores the importance of repentance as a foundational step in the journey toward embracing the fullness of God's kingdom.
Explore repentance in the Bible →Kingdom of Heaven
The Kingdom of Heaven is proclaimed by Jesus in verse 17 as he begins his public ministry, signaling the in-breaking of God's reign into the world. This declaration attracts attention and demands a response from the people, inviting them to enter into a new relationship with God. The chapter illustrates how Jesus embodies this kingdom through his preaching and miraculous healings, demonstrating its transformative power in the lives of those who believe.
Discipleship
Discipleship is exemplified in verses 18-22 as Jesus calls his first disciples to follow him, showcasing the immediate and radical commitment required. Their willingness to leave their livelihoods and follow Jesus reflects the profound nature of the call to discipleship, which involves both sacrifice and trust. This theme sets the stage for the larger narrative of discipleship that will unfold throughout Matthew's Gospel, emphasizing the seriousness of responding to Jesus' invitation.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Matthew 4
- Luke 4This passage parallels Luke's account of Jesus' temptation, highlighting Jesus' reliance on scripture in spiritual warfare.
- Deuteronomy 8Jesus' response to the devil echoes themes of reliance on God's word over physical needs, connecting to Israel's wilderness experience.
- Mark 1Mark's narrative of Jesus' ministry begins similarly, emphasizing the urgency and authority of Jesus' message and actions.
- John 6John's account relates to Jesus' teaching on spiritual sustenance, reinforcing the theme of dependence on God's word.
- Deuteronomy 6Jesus' quotations during the temptations connect to Israel's foundational teachings, emphasizing loyalty to God over other allegiances.
- Isaiah 9The fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in this chapter connects Jesus' mission to the promise of light and hope for the Gentiles.
Study questions
Questions for studying Matthew 4
- What does Jesus' response to the devil reveal about his understanding of scripture?
- How does the setting of the wilderness contribute to the significance of Jesus' temptations?
- In what ways does Jesus' ministry fulfill Isaiah's prophecy mentioned in this chapter?
- What do the immediate responses of the disciples say about their understanding of Jesus?
- How does the healing ministry of Jesus reflect his authority and compassion?
- What does the phrase 'Kingdom of Heaven is at hand' imply for the people listening?
Matthew 4: frequently asked questions
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