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What was the temptation of Jesus? (tested by Satan in the wilderness)

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Short answer

After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasted forty days and was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1; Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:1; Luke 4:2). Satan made three attempts, and Jesus answered each one with Scripture:

  1. Turn stones into bread (to His hunger), Jesus: 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word… of God' (Matthew 4:3; Matthew 4:4, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3).
  2. Throw yourself from the temple (Satan even quotes Psalms 91:11–Psalms 91:12), Jesus: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test' (BSB, Matthew 4:7; Matthew 4:6, quoting Deuteronomy 6:16).
  3. Worship me, and take all the kingdoms, Jesus: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only' (BSB, Matthew 4:10, quoting Deuteronomy 6:13).

Satan leaves, defeated, and angels attend Jesus (Matthew 4:11).

Question

What was the temptation of Jesus? (Jesus tested by Satan in the wilderness)

Analysis

Three temptations, one weapon

The three temptations probe appetite (bread), presumption (jumping from the temple), and power (the kingdoms), and Jesus meets each not with displays of might but with the word of God, quoting Deuteronomy three times. Notably, Satan himself misuses Scripture in the second temptation, quoting Psalms 91:11–Psalms 91:12 about angels guarding, to tempt Jesus to a reckless stunt; Jesus answers that trusting God is not the same as testing Him (Matthew 4:7). The episode models how temptation works and how it is resisted: know the Scriptures well enough to answer a distortion of them.

The sinless second Adam

The scene deliberately echoes earlier tests and reverses them. Where Adam fell in a garden with everything provided (Genesis 3), and where Israel grumbled and failed during forty years in the wilderness, Jesus, during forty days in the wilderness, hungry and alone, stands firm. He is the faithful 'second Adam' and true Israel who succeeds where they failed. And because He was really tempted yet 'without sin' (Hebrews 4:15), He can genuinely help those who are tempted: 'Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted' (BSB, Hebrews 2:18). The Bible also assures believers that God provides a way of escape in temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Sources, trace every one

Every cited verse, in full. Tap any reference to open it in the reader.

  • Matthew 4:1bsb

    Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

  • Matthew 4:2bsb

    After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.

  • Luke 4:1bsb

    Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

  • Luke 4:2bsb

    where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He was hungry.

  • Matthew 4:3bsb

    The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

  • Matthew 4:4bsb

    But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

  • Deuteronomy 8:3bsb

    He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

  • Psalms 91:11bsb

    For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

  • Psalms 91:12bsb

    They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

  • Matthew 4:7bsb

    Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

  • Matthew 4:6bsb

    “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

  • Deuteronomy 6:16bsb

    Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.

  • Matthew 4:10bsb

    “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

  • Deuteronomy 6:13bsb

    Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.

  • Matthew 4:11bsb

    Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.

  • Hebrews 4:15bsb

    For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

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What was the temptation of Jesus? (tested by Satan in the wilderness) · Bubble Bible