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Matthew 4:3 The tempter came to Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The tempter came to him and said, &#8220If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />During that time the devil came and said to him, &#8220;If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the tempter came and said to him, &#8220;If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tempter came to Him and said, &#8220;If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And the <i>one</i> tempting, having come to Him, said "If You are Son of God, speak, that these stones may become loaves of bread."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, &#8220;If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the tempter came and said to Him, &#8220;If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And the tempter came and said to Him, &#8220If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the tempter came and said to Him, &#8220;If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the tempter came and said to Him, &#8220;If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the tempter came and said to Him, &#8220;If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the tempter approached him and said, &#8220;If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the tempter approached Him and said, &#8220If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then the devil came to him and said, "If you are God's Son, tell these stones to turn into bread." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/4.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the Devil came to him and said, "If you are God's Son, order these stones to turn into bread." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the tempter came. "Since you are the Son of God," he said, "tell these stones to become loaves of bread."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tempter came to Him and said, &#8220;If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou art the son of God, command that these stones be made bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So the Tempter came and said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to turn into loaves."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The tempter came and said to him, &#8220;If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the tempting [one], having come to Him, said, &#8220;If You are the Son of God&#8212;speak that these stones may become loaves.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And the <i>one</i> tempting, having come to Him, said "If You are Son of God, speak, that these stones may become loaves of bread."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the Tempter having come to him said, 'If Son thou art of God -- speak that these stones may become loaves.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the tempter having come to him, said, If thou art the Son of God, say that these stones should become bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And approaching, the tempter said to him, &#8220;If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The tempter approached and said to him, &#8220;If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The tempter came and said to him, &#8220;If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the tempter drew near and said to him, If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And The Tempter approached him and said to him, &#8220;If you are The Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And the tempter came to him and said: If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And the tempter having come to Him, said; If thou art the Son of God, speak in order that these stones may become bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And the tempter coming to him said, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones be made loaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />whereupon the tempter came to him, and said, "If thou be the Son of God, command these stones to become bread."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So the Tempter came and said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to turn into loaves."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And the Tempter, having come near, said to Him, "If Thou art God's Son, speak, that these stones may become loaves <i>of bread</i>."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And the tempter came to Him and said, If thou art the Son of God, command these stones to become bread:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/4-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=622" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/4.htm">The Temptation of Jesus</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">2</span>After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The</a> <a href="/greek/3985.htm" title="3985: peiraz&#333;n (V-PPA-NMS) -- To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.">tempter</a> <a href="/greek/4334.htm" title="4334: proselth&#333;n (V-APA-NMS) -- From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.">came</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: aut&#333; (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to Him</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">and said,</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">&#8220;If</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ei (V-PIA-2S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">You are</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: Huios (N-NMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">the Son</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God,</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipe (V-AMA-2S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">tell</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that."></a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtoi (DPro-NMP) -- This; he, she, it. ">these</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3037.htm" title="3037: lithoi (N-NMP) -- A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.">stones</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: gen&#333;ntai (V-ASM-3P) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">to become</a> <a href="/greek/740.htm" title="740: artoi (N-NMP) -- Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.">bread.&#8221;</a> </span> <span class="reftext">4</span>But Jesus answered, &#8220;It is written: &#8216;Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.&#8217;&#8239;&#8221;&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1</a></span><br />Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, &#8220;Did God really say, &#8216;You must not eat from any tree in the garden?&#8217;&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Exodus 16:4</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, &#8220;Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/1-6.htm">Job 1:6-12</a></span><br />One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. / &#8220;Where have you come from?&#8221; said the LORD to Satan. &#8220;From roaming through the earth,&#8221; he replied, &#8220;and walking back and forth in it.&#8221; / Then the LORD said to Satan, &#8220;Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.&#8221; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/2-1.htm">Job 2:1-6</a></span><br />On another day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before Him. / &#8220;Where have you come from?&#8221; said the LORD to Satan. &#8220;From roaming through the earth,&#8221; he replied, &#8220;and walking back and forth in it.&#8221; / Then the LORD said to Satan, &#8220;Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.&#8221; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a></span><br />A voice of one calling: &#8220;Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-2.htm">Isaiah 55:2</a></span><br />Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/3-1.htm">Zechariah 3:1-2</a></span><br />Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. / And the LORD said to Satan: &#8220;The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1</a></span><br />Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-23.htm">Matthew 16:23</a></span><br />But Jesus turned and said to Peter, &#8220;Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-13.htm">Mark 1:13</a></span><br />and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-3.htm">Luke 4:3</a></span><br />The devil said to Him, &#8220;If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-9.htm">Luke 4:9-12</a></span><br />Then the devil led Him to Jerusalem and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. &#8220;If You are the Son of God,&#8221; he said, &#8220;throw Yourself down from here. / For it is written: &#8216;He will command His angels concerning You to guard You carefully, / and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.&#8217;&#8221; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-30.htm">John 6:30-31</a></span><br />So they asked Him, &#8220;What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? / Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: &#8216;He gave them bread from heaven to eat.&#8217;&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a></span><br />You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when the tempter came to him, he said, If you be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.</p><p class="hdg">the tempter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-9.htm">Job 1:9-12</a></b></br> Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4-7</a></b></br> And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/22-31.htm">Luke 22:31,32</a></b></br> And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired <i>to have</i> you, that he may sift <i>you</i> as wheat: &#8230; </p><p class="hdg">if.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-17.htm">Matthew 3:17</a></b></br> And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/4-3.htm">Luke 4:3,9</a></b></br> And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread&#8230; </p><p class="hdg">command.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1-5</a></b></br> Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/25-29.htm">Genesis 25:29-34</a></b></br> And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he <i>was</i> faint: &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3</a></b></br> And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, <i>and</i> when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/malachi/1-7.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/malachi/4-4.htm">Command</a> <a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-32.htm">Loaves</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-3.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/malachi/2-12.htm">Tempter</a> <a href="/matthew/2-12.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Command</a> <a href="/matthew/4-5.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/14-17.htm">Loaves</a> <a href="/matthew/8-8.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/matthew/13-5.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-5.htm">Tempter</a> <a href="/matthew/5-39.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">Jesus, fasting forty days, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">is tempted by the devil and ministered unto by angels.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-12.htm">He dwells in Capernaum;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">begins to preach;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">calls Peter and Andrew,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-21.htm">James and John;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">teaches and heals all the diseased.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>The tempter</b><br />The Greek word for "tempter" is "&#960;&#949;&#953;&#961;&#940;&#950;&#969;&#957;" (peiraz&#333;n), which means one who tests or entices. In the context of <a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3</a>, this refers to Satan, who is attempting to challenge Jesus' identity and mission. Historically, Satan is known as the adversary, the one who opposes God's plans. This encounter in the wilderness is a pivotal moment where Jesus faces the embodiment of evil, setting the stage for His ministry of redemption and victory over sin.<p><b>came to Him</b><br />The phrase "came to Him" indicates a deliberate approach by the tempter. This is not a random encounter but a purposeful confrontation. The wilderness setting is significant, as it echoes the Israelites' testing in the desert. Jesus, the new Israel, is being tested to prove His faithfulness and obedience to God, contrasting with the failures of the past.<p><b>and said</b><br />The act of speaking here is crucial. Words have power, and the tempter uses them to sow doubt and challenge Jesus. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the power of words, seen in creation ("And God said...") and in the fall ("Did God really say...?"). The tempter's words are a direct attack on Jesus' identity and mission.<p><b>If You are the Son of God</b><br />This phrase is a conditional statement that questions Jesus' divine sonship. The Greek "&#949;&#7984;" (ei) can be translated as "if" or "since," suggesting a challenge to prove or demonstrate His identity. This echoes the serpent's tactics in Genesis, where doubt is cast on God's word and character. For Jesus, this is a test of His trust in the Father's declaration at His baptism: "This is My beloved Son."<p><b>tell these stones to become bread</b><br />The command to "tell these stones to become bread" is a temptation to misuse divine power for personal gain. The Greek word "&#955;&#943;&#952;&#959;&#953;" (lithoi) for "stones" and "&#7940;&#961;&#964;&#959;&#965;&#962;" (artous) for "bread" highlight the physical and immediate nature of the temptation. In a historical context, bread is a basic necessity, symbolizing sustenance and life. The tempter is enticing Jesus to prioritize physical needs over spiritual obedience, a test of His reliance on God's provision. This temptation mirrors the Israelites' longing for bread in the wilderness, where they failed to trust in God's provision. Jesus' response, rooted in Scripture, affirms His commitment to live by every word that comes from the mouth of God, setting an example of faithfulness and dependence on the Father.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">When the tempter came.</span>--Nothing in the narrative suggests the idea of a bodily presence visible to the eye of sense, and all attempts so to realise it, whether as Milton has done in <span class= "ital">Paradise Regained,</span> or as by rationalistic commentators, who held that the Tempter was, or assumed the shape of, a scribe or priest, are unauthorised, and diminish our sense of the reality and mystery of the Temptation. The narrative is not the less real and true because it lies altogether in the spiritual region of man's life.<p><span class= "bld">If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.</span>--"These stones," as if in union with glance and gesture, pointing to the loaf-like flints of the Jordan desert. The nature of the temptation, so far as we can gauge its mysterious depth, was probably complex. Something there may have been, suggested from without, like that which uttered itself in Esau's cry, "What profit shall this birthright do to me?" (<a href="/genesis/25-32.htm" title="And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?">Genesis 25:32</a>). Hungry, exhausted, as if life were ebbing away in the terrible loneliness of the desert, the "wild beasts" around him, as if waiting for their victim, what would it avail to have been marked out as the Son of God, the long-expected Christ? With this another thought was blended. If He were the Son of God, did not that name involve a lordship over nature? Could He not satisfy His hunger and sustain His life? Would He not in so exercising the power of which now, for the first time it may be, He was the conscious possessor, be establishing his <span class= "ital">status</span> as the Christ in the eyes of others? That thought presented itself to His mind, but it was rejected as coming from the Enemy. It would have been an act of self-assertion and distrust, and therefore would have involved not the affirmation, but the denial of the Sonship which had so recently been attested.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The tempter</span> (<a href="/1_thessalonians/3-5.htm">1 Thessalonians 3:5</a> only; cf. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">2 Corinthians 11:3</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Came</span>; came up to him (<span class="greek">&#x3c0;&#x3c1;&#x3bf;&#x3c3;&#x3b5;&#x3bb;&#x3b8;&#x1f7d;&#x3bd;</span>). The word expresses local nearness, and suggests, though we cannot affirm it as certain, that he appeared visibly. The thought of physical nearness is continued in "taketh him" (vers. 5, 8), and "the devil leaveth him" and "angels came near" (ver. 11; cf. ver. 5, note). On the other hand, such expressions may be parabolic, and intended to express the closeness of the spiritual combat. To him; not after "came," but after "said" (Revised Version, with manuscripts). If thou be; <span class="accented">art</span> (Revised Version) (<span class="greek">&#x3b5;&#x1f30;</span>... <span class="greek">&#x3b5;&#x3ca;</span>) - the "if" of assumption (cf. <a href="/colossians/3-1.htm">Colossians 3:1</a>). The devil does not attempt to throw doubt on the truth of the utterance in <a href="/matthew/3-17.htm">Matthew 3:17</a>. His words rather mean, "Thou knowest what was said, thou bast been gradually realizing that assurance of Sonship; use, then, that privilege which thou undoubtedly hast" (comp. <a href="/matthew/27-40.htm">Matthew 27:40</a>, where, in mockery, the same truth is assumed). Wetstein, following Origen and pseudo-Ignatius,' Philipp.,' &sect; 9, says that the tempter did not know, or at least doubted, whether Jesus was really God, for otherwise he would never have tempted him. This is, surely, to miss the meaning of the temptation for our Lord himself; for he was tempted as Man. Satan might well haw known that he was God incarnate, and yet not have known whether as Man he might not yield. Weiss ('Life,' 1:343) mistakenly thinks that the object of this first temptation was to insinuate doubt in the mind of Jesus as to his Messiahship. "Command that these stones become bread, and if thou canst not do so, then thou art not the Son of God." <span class="cmt_word">Command that</span>; <span class="greek">&#x3b5;&#x1f30;&#x3c0;&#x1f78;&#x3bd;</span> (cf. Westcott and Hort, 2. App., p. 164) <span class="greek">&#x1f35;&#x3bd;&#x3b1;</span> (cf. <a href="/matthew/20-21.htm">Matthew 20:21</a>, and Winer,&sect; 44:8). <span class="cmt_word">These stones</span>, <span class="accented">ie.</span> lying about. Farrar (on <a href="/luke/4-3.htm">Luke 4:3</a>; and especially in 'Life of Christ,' illustrated edit., pp. 99, 100) suggests that there is a special reference to the "loaf-shaped fossils," <span class="accented">septaria</span>, which are found in Palestine - as, indeed, in most other countries. But though these "flattened nodules of calcareous clay, ironstone, or other matter" (Page, ' Handbook of Geolog. Terms,' etc., 1859, p. 327) often assume fantastic shapes, perhaps even distantly resembling either an English loaf or a fiat Jewish cake (<span class="accented">vide infra</span>) , it seems quite unnecessary to see any allusion to them here. (For the comparison of bread and a stone, cf. <a href="/matthew/7-9.htm">Matthew 7:9</a>.) <span class="cmt_word">Be made</span>; Revised Version, <span class="accented">become</span>; rightly, because there is no thought of the process of manufacture in <span class="greek">&#x3b3;&#x1f73;&#x3bd;&#x3c9;&#x3bd;&#x3c4;&#x3b1;&#x3b9;</span>, <span class="cmt_word">Bread</span>; Revised Version margin, "Greek, loaves" (<span class="greek">&#x1f04;&#x3c1;&#x3c4;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;</span>). "The Israelites made bread in the form of an oblong or round cake, as thick as one's thumb, and as large as a plate or Platter; hence it was not cut, but [<span class="accented">e.g.</span> <a href="/matthew/14-19.htm">Matthew 14:19</a>] broken" (Thayer). In Luke the devil points to one stone only, and tempts him to bid it become a loaf. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/4-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">The</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8001;</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tempter</span><br /><span class="grk">&#960;&#949;&#953;&#961;&#940;&#950;&#969;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(peiraz&#333;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> </span><span class="str2">To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="grk">&#960;&#961;&#959;&#963;&#949;&#955;&#952;&#8060;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(proselth&#333;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4334.htm">Strong's 4334: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Him</span><br /><span class="grk">&#945;&#8016;&#964;&#8183;</span> <span class="translit">(aut&#333;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] said,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#949;&#7990;&#960;&#949;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(eipen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">&#8220;If</span><br /><span class="grk">&#917;&#7984;</span> <span class="translit">(Ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You are</span><br /><span class="grk">&#949;&#7990;</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] Son</span><br /><span class="grk">&#933;&#7985;&#8056;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(Huios)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#920;&#949;&#959;&#8166;</span> <span class="translit">(Theou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tell</span><br /><span class="grk">&#949;&#7984;&#960;&#8050;</span> <span class="translit">(eipe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">these</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#8023;&#964;&#959;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(houtoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">stones</span><br /><span class="grk">&#955;&#943;&#952;&#959;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(lithoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3037.htm">Strong's 3037: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to become</span><br /><span class="grk">&#947;&#941;&#957;&#969;&#957;&#964;&#945;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(gen&#333;ntai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bread.&#8221;</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7940;&#961;&#964;&#959;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(artoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_740.htm">Strong's 740: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 4:3 The tempter came and said to him (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/4-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 4:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 4:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 4:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 4:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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