ScriptureDepth's study of Matthew 4
“But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4
Jesus answers the devil's temptation to turn stones into bread, asserting that 'man shall not live by bread alone' but by God's word.
What Matthew 4 is about
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil after fasting for forty days and forty nights. The devil challenged him three times, asking Jesus to turn stones into bread, to throw himself down from the temple, and to worship him in exchange for worldly kingdoms. Each time, Jesus responded with scripture, affirming his dependence on God. Following this, Jesus withdrew to Galilee after hearing about John’s arrest. He settled in Capernaum, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about light coming to those in darkness. From this point, Jesus began to preach about the Kingdom of Heaven, calling people to repent. He called Simon Peter and Andrew to follow him, promising to make them fishers for men. He also called James and John, who immediately left their father and followed him. Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues and healing various diseases, garnering a large following from many regions.
Jesus calls for repentance as the Kingdom of Heaven approaches and invites followers to join him.
Matthew 4 at a glance
- Matthew 4:1–11Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
- Matthew 4:12–17Beginning of Jesus' Ministry
- Matthew 4:18–22Calling of the First Disciples
- Matthew 4:23–25Teaching and Healing in Galilee
Key verse: Matthew 4:4
One thing to notice
The phrase 'if you are the Son of God' appears in verses 3 and 6 as a challenge from the devil, testing Jesus' identity and authority. This challenge is met with biblical responses from Jesus in verses 4 and 7, reaffirming his commitment to God's word over the temptations presented.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Matthew 4 (WEB)
Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness Matthew 4:1–11
1Verse 1. Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2Verse 2. When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. 3Verse 3. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4Verse 4. But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” 5Verse 5. Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6Verse 6. and 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.’”
7Verse 7. Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’” 8Verse 8. Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. 9Verse 9. He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Verse 10. Then 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.’” 11Verse 11. Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.
Beginning of Jesus' Ministry Matthew 4:12–17
12Verse 12. Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. 13Verse 13. Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14Verse 14. that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15Verse 15. “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16Verse 16. the 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.” 17Verse 17. From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Calling of the First Disciples Matthew 4:18–22
18Verse 18. Walking 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. 19Verse 19. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.” 20Verse 20. They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21Verse 21. Going 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. 22Verse 22. They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Teaching and Healing in Galilee Matthew 4:23–25
23Verse 23. Jesus 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. 24Verse 24. The 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. 25Verse 25. Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Matthew 4
Temptation
In vv. 1-11, Jesus faces three temptations from the devil while in the wilderness. The tempter challenges Jesus' identity as the 'Son of God' and urges him to turn stones into bread, test God by jumping from the temple, and worship him for worldly power. Each time, Jesus responds with scripture, affirming his loyalty to God and resisting the devil's enticements.
Repentance
In v. 17, Jesus begins his ministry by preaching, 'Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.' This call to repentance marks a significant turn in his message, urging people to acknowledge their sins and turn back to God. The chapter portrays this as a foundational aspect of Jesus' teaching as he initiates his mission.
Explore repentance in the Bible →Kingdom of Heaven
In v. 17, Jesus announces that 'the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,' indicating the arrival of God's reign through his ministry. This theme continues as Jesus teaches and performs miracles, demonstrating the Kingdom's power and presence among the people. The chapter presents the Kingdom not only as a future hope but as a present reality initiated by Jesus.
Discipleship
In vv. 18-22, Jesus calls his first disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, followed by James and John. Each set of brothers immediately leaves their livelihoods to follow Jesus, illustrating the radical nature of discipleship. The chapter conveys that discipleship involves a personal invitation and a willingness to abandon previous lives for the sake of following Jesus.
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 (v. 1). After fasting forty days, he resists the devil's three temptations using Scripture, after which the devil departs (vv. 3-11).
Matthew 4:12–17 Beginning of Jesus' Ministry
After hearing of John's imprisonment, Jesus withdraws to Galilee (v. 12) and begins to preach 'Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand' (v. 17), fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy about a great light (vv. 14-16).
Matthew 4:18–22 Calling of the First Disciples
Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew while they are fishing, instructing them to follow him to become 'fishers for men' (vv. 18-19). They immediately leave their nets and follow him, alongside James and John who also leave their boat (vv. 20-22).
Matthew 4:23–25 Teaching and Healing in Galilee
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues and healing all kinds of sickness (vv. 23-24). His ministry attracts great multitudes from surrounding regions, drawn to his healing power (v. 25).
Key verses
Matthew 4:4Jesus answers the devil's temptation to turn stones into bread, asserting that 'man shall not live by bread alone' but by God's word.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Matthew 4
- observeIn v1, who leads Jesus into the wilderness for temptation?
- observeWhat does Jesus quote in v4 to counter the devil's temptation?
- interpretThe devil's offer in vv. 8-9: what does it suggest about the nature of temptation?
- interpretIn v12, why does Jesus withdraw into Galilee after hearing about John's imprisonment?
- applyWhen have you felt called to follow someone or something like the disciples did in v20?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Matthew 4
- Luke 4Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4Both quote: Matthew 4:4 ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,’ while Luke 4:4 adds ‘every word of God.’
- Deuteronomy 8Matthew 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3Both affirm: Matthew 4:4 says ‘man shall not live by bread alone,’ while Deuteronomy 8:3 adds ‘but man lives by every word that proceeds out of Yahweh’s mouth.’
- Mark 1Matthew 4:19 and Mark 1:17Both call: Matthew 4:19 has ‘I will make you fishers for men,’ while Mark 1:17 adds ‘I will make you into fishers for men.’
- John 6Matthew 4:4 and John 6:63Both emphasize life: Matthew 4:4 states ‘man shall not live by bread alone,’ while John 6:63 notes ‘the flesh profits nothing.’
- Deuteronomy 6Matthew 4:7 and Deuteronomy 6:16Both assert: Matthew 4:7 says ‘You shall not test the Lord,’ while Deuteronomy 6:16 reiterates ‘You shall not tempt Yahweh your God.’
- Isaiah 9Matthew 4:16 and Isaiah 9:2Both speak of light: Matthew 4:16 notes ‘the people who sat in darkness saw a great light,’ while Isaiah 9:2 says ‘the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.’
Related chapters
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Where to go from here
- Matthew: the whole bookThe New Testament opens with a genealogy, and that choice announces Matthew's whole program: Jesus is "the son…
- 30-Day Gospel Journey, day 2Day 2 of 30: Tested and Teaching.
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- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
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