Matthew 4
Jesus is led into the wilderness where He is tempted three times by the devil, overcoming each temptation with Scripture. He begins His public ministry in Galilee, calling His first disciples and healing throughout the region.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Jesus led into wilderness to be tempted
At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness,
Read Mark 1 ›Jesus full of the Holy Spirit, led into the wilderness
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Read Luke 4 ›After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.
Fasted forty days and forty nights
where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He was hungry.
Read Luke 4 ›The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
First temptation: turn stones into bread
The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
Read Luke 4 ›But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Jesus quotes Moses in the wilderness temptation: 'Man shall not live by bread alone.' He used the same words that sustained Israel for 40 years.
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.
Read Deuteronomy 8 ›Man shall not live on bread alone — Jesus' first temptation response
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.
Read Deuteronomy 8 ›Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple.
Temple pinnacle temptation — different order in Luke
Then the devil led Him to Jerusalem and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down from here.
Read Luke 4 ›“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.’”
He will command his angels concerning you — Satan's temptation
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Read Psalms 91 ›Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Second temptation response: 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.' Jesus knew the difference between faith and recklessness.
Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.
Read Deuteronomy 6 ›Do not put the Lord your God to the test
Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.
Read Deuteronomy 6 ›Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
Kingdoms of the world temptation
Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
Read Luke 4 ›“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”
“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
Third temptation: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.' Jesus defeats every temptation with Scripture, not spectacle.
Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
Read Deuteronomy 6 ›Worship the Lord your God and serve him only
Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
Read Deuteronomy 6 ›Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.
When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.
After John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee
After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God.
Read Mark 1 ›Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding region.
Read Luke 4 ›Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
Land of Zebulun and Naphtali — Galilee of the Gentiles will see light
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
Read Isaiah 9 ›the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.
Read Isaiah 9 ›From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near
“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
Read Mark 1 ›As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
Calling of Simon Peter and Andrew by the Sea of Galilee
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
Read Mark 1 ›Calling of Simon — Luke's expanded account with miraculous catch
He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.
Read Luke 5 ›Andrew and Peter follow Jesus — John's account
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus.
Read John 1 ›“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,
Calling of James and John, sons of Zebedee
Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.
Read Mark 1 ›James and John, Simon's partners, follow Jesus
and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.”
Read Luke 5 ›and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them.
Large crowds followed Him, having come from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
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