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href="/bsb/matthew/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/4.htm">New International Version</a> Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/nlt/matthew/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. <a href="/esv/matthew/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/bsb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/blb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/kjv/matthew/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/nasb/matthew/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/lsb/matthew/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/amp/matthew/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/csb/matthew/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. <a href="/asv/matthew/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. <a href="/cev/matthew/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him. <a href="/erv/matthew/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. <a href="/gwt/matthew/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/gnt/matthew/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil. <a href="/isv/matthew/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> After this, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/msb/matthew/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/net/matthew/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/nheb/matthew/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/wbt/matthew/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then was Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/wey/matthew/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> At that time Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the Desert in order to be tempted by the Devil. <a href="/web/matthew/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Then Jesus was led up to the wilderness by the Spirit, to be tempted by the Devil, <a href="/blb/matthew/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/ylt/matthew/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Then Jesus was led up to the wilderness by the Spirit, to be tempted by the Devil, <a href="/slt/matthew/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then was Jesus led up by the Spirit into the desert to be tried by the devil.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> THEN Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert, in order to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/nabre/matthew/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> THEN Jesus was carried away by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the adversary. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Then Yeshua was led of The Spirit of Holiness to the wilderness to be tempted by The Devil.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Then was Jesus led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/godbey/matthew/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit, to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/haweis/matthew/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> THEN was Jesus led away by the spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil. <a href="/mace/matthew/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Then was Jesus led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil: <a href="/wey/matthew/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> At that time Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the Desert in order to be tempted by the Devil. <a href="/worrell/matthew/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness, to he tempted by the Devil. <a href="/worsley/matthew/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Then was Jesus led by the spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil: <a href="/parallel/matthew/4-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=611" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/4.htm">The Temptation of Jesus</a> 1<a href="/greek/5119.htm" title="5119: Tote (Adv) -- Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.">Then</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."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/321.htm" title="321: anēchthē (V-AIP-3S) -- From ana and ago; to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away.">was led</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- 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/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneumatos (N-GNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">Spirit</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- 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/2048.htm" title="2048: erēmon (Adj-AFS) -- Lonesome, i.e. waste.">wilderness</a> <a href="/greek/3985.htm" title="3985: peirasthēnai (V-ANP) -- To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.">to be tempted</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">by</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.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1228.htm" title="1228: diabolou (Adj-GMS) -- From diaballo; a traducer; specially, Satan.">devil.</a> 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/4-1.htm">Luke 4:1</a> Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, <a href="/mark/1-12.htm">Mark 1:12-13</a> At once the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, / and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him. <a href="/hebrews/2-18.htm">Hebrews 2:18</a> Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. <a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Hebrews 4:15</a> 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. <a href="/1_john/2-16.htm">1 John 2:16</a> For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. <a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1-6</a> Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ... <a href="/1_corinthians/10-13.htm">1 Corinthians 10:13</a> No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it. <a href="/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13-15</a> When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. / But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. <a href="/deuteronomy/8-2.htm">Deuteronomy 8:2-3</a> Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. / 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. <a href="/exodus/34-28.htm">Exodus 34:28</a> So Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments. <a href="/1_kings/19-8.htm">1 Kings 19:8</a> So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. <a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12-19</a> Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. / For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. / Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come. ... <a href="/philippians/2-7.htm">Philippians 2:7-8</a> but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. / And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3-4</a> He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. <a href="/job/1-6.htm">Job 1:6-12</a> One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. / “Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.” / Then the LORD said to Satan, “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.” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.was.<a href="/mark/1-12.htm">Mark 1:12,13</a> And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness… <a href="/luke/4-1.htm">Luke 4:1</a> And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,<a href="/romans/8-14.htm">Romans 8:14</a> For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.of the spirit.<a href="/1_kings/18-12.htm">1 Kings 18:12</a> And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.<a href="/2_kings/2-16.htm">2 Kings 2:16</a> And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.<a href="/ezekiel/3-12.htm">Ezekiel 3:12,14</a> Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the LORD from his place… to.<a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Genesis 3:15</a> And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.<a href="/john/14-30.htm">John 14:30</a> Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.<a href="/hebrews/2-18.htm">Hebrews 2:18</a> For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/1-11.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/revelation/20-10.htm">Devil</a> <a href="/malachi/3-3.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/2-9.htm">Led</a> <a href="/matthew/2-23.htm">Order</a> <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/malachi/3-15.htm">Tempted</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-9.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/3-12.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/8-17.htm">Carried</a> <a href="/matthew/11-7.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/matthew/4-5.htm">Devil</a> <a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/26-57.htm">Led</a> <a href="/matthew/4-14.htm">Order</a> <a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/mark/1-13.htm">Tempted</a> <a href="/matthew/16-1.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/matthew/4-6.htm">Time</a> <a href="/matthew/11-7.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/matthew/11-7.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 4</div>1. <a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">Jesus, fasting forty days, </a> 3. <a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">is tempted by the devil and ministered unto by angels.</a> 12. <a href="/matthew/4-12.htm">He dwells in Capernaum;</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">begins to preach;</a> 18. <a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">calls Peter and Andrew,</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/4-21.htm">James and John;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">teaches and heals all the diseased.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then Jesus was led by the Spirit This phrase indicates the divine guidance and purpose in Jesus' actions. The Holy Spirit, who descended upon Jesus at His baptism (<a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a>), now leads Him. This emphasizes the unity and cooperation within the Trinity. The Spirit's leading shows that Jesus' temptation was part of God's sovereign plan, not a random event. It also highlights Jesus' obedience to the Father's will, setting an example for believers to follow the Spirit's guidance in their lives.into the wilderness The wilderness, or desert, is a significant location in biblical history. It is often a place of testing and preparation. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (<a href="/numbers/14-33.htm">Numbers 14:33-34</a>), and Elijah spent time there (<a href="/1_kings/19-4.htm">1 Kings 19:4-8</a>). The wilderness represents a place of solitude and dependence on God, away from distractions. For Jesus, it was a place to prepare for His public ministry and to confront spiritual challenges. Geographically, this likely refers to the Judean Desert, a barren and rugged area.to be tempted by the devil The purpose of Jesus' journey into the wilderness was to face temptation. The devil, or Satan, is the adversary and accuser, seeking to thwart God's plans. This temptation serves as a parallel to Adam's temptation in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and Israel's testing in the wilderness. Unlike Adam and Israel, Jesus remains sinless, demonstrating His role as the second Adam and the true Israel. This event fulfills the prophecy of a Messiah who would overcome evil (<a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Genesis 3:15</a>) and foreshadows His ultimate victory over sin and death.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is about to begin His public ministry. In this passage, He is led into the wilderness to face temptation. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_spirit.htm">The Spirit</a> Refers to the Holy Spirit, who guides Jesus into the wilderness. This highlights the divine purpose and necessity of the upcoming temptation. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a> A desolate and isolated place, often associated with testing and spiritual encounters in the Bible. It serves as the setting for Jesus' temptation. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_devil.htm">The Devil</a> Also known as Satan, the adversary who seeks to tempt Jesus and derail His mission. His role is to challenge Jesus' identity and mission. 5. <a href="/topical/t/temptation.htm">Temptation</a> The event where Jesus is tested by the devil, which serves as a precursor to His ministry and a demonstration of His sinlessness and obedience to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The Holy Spirit's leading of Jesus into the wilderness shows that God sometimes leads us into challenging situations for growth and preparation. <a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_temptation.htm">The Reality of Temptation</a> Temptation is a universal experience, even for Jesus. Recognizing this helps us understand that being tempted is not a sin, but how we respond is crucial. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_ministry.htm">Preparation for Ministry</a> Jesus' time in the wilderness was a period of preparation. Similarly, we may go through seasons of testing to prepare us for future service. <a href="/topical/v/victory_over_temptation.htm">Victory Over Temptation</a> Jesus' victory over the devil provides a model for us. By relying on Scripture and the Holy Spirit, we can overcome temptation. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a> The passage reminds us of the reality of spiritual warfare and the need to be spiritually vigilant and equipped with God's word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 4</a> <a href="/q/how_was_jesus'_temptation_recorded.htm">If Jesus and the devil were alone (Matthew 4:1–11), how could this event have been recorded so specifically? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_lent_mean_in_christianity.htm">What does Lent signify in Christianity?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_significance_of_lent's_3rd_sunday.htm">What is the significance of Sunday 3 in Lent?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_significance_of_lent's_5th_sunday.htm">What is the significance of Sunday 5 in Lent?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>IV.(1) The narrative of the Temptation is confessedly one of the most mysterious in the Gospel records. In one respect it stands almost, if not altogether, alone. It could not have come, directly or indirectly, from an eye-witness. We are compelled to look on it either as a mythical after-growth; as a supernatural revelation of facts that could not otherwise be known; or, lastly, as having had its source in our Lord's own report of what He had passed through. The first of these views is natural enough with those who apply the same theory to all that is marvellous and supernatural in our Lord's life. As a theory generally applicable, however, to the interpretation of the Gospels, that view has not been adopted in this Commentary, and there are certainly no reasons why, rejecting it elsewhere, we should accept it here. Had it been based upon the narrative of the temptation of the first Adam, in Genesis 3, we should have expected the recurrence of the same symbolism, of the serpent and the trees. Nothing else in the Old Testament, nothing in the popular expectations of the Christ, could have suggested anything of the kind. The ideal Christ of those expectations would have been a great and mighty king, showing forth his wisdom and glory, as did the historical son of David; not a sufferer tried and tempted. The forms of the Temptation, still more the answers to them, have, it will be seen, a distinct individuality about them, just conceivable in the work of some consummate artist, but utterly unlike the imagery, beautiful or grand, which enters into most myths. Here, therefore, the narrative will be dealt with as the record of an actual experience. To assume that this record was miraculously revealed to St. Matthew and St. Luke is, however, to introduce an hypothesis which cannot be proved, and which is, at least, not in harmony with their general character as writers. They are, one by his own statement, the other by inference from the structure and contents of his Gospel, distinctly compilers from many different sources, with all the incidental variations to which such a process is liable. There is no reason to look on this narrative as an exception to the general rule. The very difference in the order of the temptations is, as far as it goes, against the idea of a supernatural revelation. There remains, then, the conclusion that we have here that which originated in some communication from our Lord's own lips to one of His disciples, His own record of the experience of those forty days. So taken, it will be seen that all is coherent, and in some sense (marvellous as the whole is), natural, throwing light on our Lord's past life, explaining much that followed in His teaching.Led up of the spirit.--Each narrator expresses the same fact in slightly different language. St. Luke (<a href="/luke/4-1.htm" title="And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,">Luke 4:1</a>) "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led in the wilderness." St. Mark (<a href="/mark/1-12.htm" title="And immediately the spirit drives him into the wilderness.">Mark 1:12</a>), more vividly, "Immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness." What is meant by such language? The answer is found in the analogous instances of seers and prophets. St. John was "in the Spirit on the Lord's day" (<a href="/revelation/1-10.htm" title="I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,">Revelation 1:10</a>). The Spirit "lifted up" Ezekiel that from his exile by the banks of Chebar he might see the secret sins of Jerusalem (<a href="/ezekiel/8-3.htm" title="And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looks toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy.">Ezekiel 8:3</a>). The "Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip" (<a href="/acts/8-39.htm" title="And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.">Acts 8:39</a>). Those who spake with tongues spake "by the Spirit" (<a href="/1_corinthians/14-2.htm" title="For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.">1Corinthians 14:2</a>). The result of this induction leads us to think of the state so described as one more or less of the nature of ecstasy, in which the ordinary phenomena of consciousness and animal life were in great measure suspended. That gift of the Spirit had on the human nature of the Son of Man something of the same overpowering mastery that it has had over others of the sons of men. A power mightier than His own human will was urging Him on, it might almost be said He knew not whither, bringing Him into conflict "not with flesh and blood," but with "principalities and powers in heavenly places." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-11. - THE TEMPTATION. (Parallel passages: <a href="/luke/4-1.htm">Luke 4:1-13</a>; a summary in <a href="/mark/1-12.htm">Mark 1:12, 13</a>.) The Father's acceptance of the Lord's consecration of himself for the work of the kingdom does not exclude temptation, but rather necessitates it. Psychologically, the reaction from the ecstasy of joy in hearing the announcement of <a href="/matthew/3-17.htm">Matthew 3:17</a> was certain; ethically, such testing as would accompany the reaction was desirable. Even the Baptist was, as it seems, not without a special temptation during this period (cf. <a href="/john/1-19.htm">John 1:19</a>; and Bishop Westcott's note). At the very commencement of his official life the Lord is led consciously to realize that he has entered on a path of complete trust (even as his brethren in the flesh, <a href="/hebrews/2-13.htm">Hebrews 2:13</a>) for all personal needs, a path which required great calmness and common sense, and along which he must take his orders for final victory, not from worldly principles, but direct from God. In Luke the order of the second and third temptations is reversed. Against the supposition of Godet and Ellicott, that St. Luke is historically correct, the "Get thee hence Satan!" (ver. 10) seems conclusive. At any rate, for St. Matthew's aim in this Gospel the temptation that he places third is the crucial one; the true King will not take an irregular method of acquiring sovereignty. Verse 1. - Then; temporal. Mark, "and straightway." Immediately after the descent of the Holy Ghost upon him. Was led up ... into the wilderness. Up (Matthew only); from the Jordan valley into the higher country round (cf. <a href="/joshua/16-1.htm">Joshua 16:1</a>), in this case into the desert (<a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1</a>). There is nothing told us by which we may identify the place, but as the scene of the temptation must have been near the scene of the baptism, namely, on the west side of Jordan (<a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1</a>, note), it may be presumed that the temptation was on the west side also. The sharp limestone peak (Godet) known since the Crusades as Quarantana, "from the quarantain, or forty days of fasting" (Trench, Studies,' p. 6), may, perhaps, have been the actual spot. The only important objection to this is that directly after the temptation (as seems most probable) he comes to John in "Bethany beyond Jordan," <a href="/john/1-28.htm">John 1:28</a> (not necessarily to be identified with "Bethabara" of the Received Text; its locality is quite unknown). If he went east of Jordan after the temptation, he would still be on one of the great roads to Galilee (<a href="/luke/9-52.htm">Luke 9:52</a>, etc.). The conjecture that the fasting and temptation took place on Sinai is suggested by the analogy of Moses and Elijah, but by absolutely nothing in the Gospels. Led up of the Spirit into the wilderness; Mark, "the Spirit driveth him forth;" Luke, "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led in the Spirit in the wilderness" (with a leading that lasted throughout the temptation, ἤετο... ἐν... ἐν...πειραζόμενος). He was no doubt himself inclined to go apart into the desert that he might meditate uninterruptedly upon the assurance just given, and the momentous issues involved in his baptism; but the Holy Spirit had also his own purposes with him. The Holy Spirit cannot, indeed, tempt, but he can and does lead us into circumstances where temptation is permitted, that we may thereby be proved and disciplined for future work. In Christ's case the temptation was an important part of that moral suffering by which he learned full obedience (<a href="/hebrews/5-8.htm">Hebrews 5:8</a>). Notice that even if the expression in <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a>, "the Spirit of God descending," does not in itself go beyond the expressions of Jewish teachers who deny his Personality, it would be hard to find so personal an action as is implied by the words, "Jesus was led up of the Spirit," attributed to the Spirit in non-Christian writings. For <a href="/isaiah/63-10.htm">Isaiah 63:10, 11, 14</a> is much less definite, and passages, e.g. in <a href="/ezekiel/3-12.htm">Ezekiel 3:12-14</a>, interpret themselves by <a href="/ezekiel/1-21.htm">Ezekiel 1:21</a>. To St. Matthew himself the Personality of the Holy Ghost must, in the light of <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19</a>, have been an assured fact. To be tempted of the devil. So Luke; i.e. the great calumniator, him whose characteristic is false accusation; e.g. against men (<a href="/revelation/12-10.htm">Revelation 12:10-12</a>); against God (<a href="/genesis/3-1.htm">Genesis 3:1-5</a>). Here chiefly in the latter aspect. Each of the three temptations, and they are typical of all temptations; is primarily a calumniation of God and his methods. Mark has "of Satan," a Hebrew word equivalent to "adversary," which the LXX. nearly always renders by διαβάλλω, (compare also <a href="/numbers/22-22.htm">Numbers 22:22, 32</a>). Probably by the time of the LXX. the idea of the evil spirit accusing as in a law-court, was more prominent than the earlier thought of him as an adversary. Spiritual resistance by the evil spirit to all good is a less-developed thought than his traducing God to man, and, after some success obtained, traducing man to God. Evil may resist good; it may also accuse both God and those made after the likeness of God. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/4-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then Τότε (Tote) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5119.htm">Strong's 5119: </a> Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. was led ἀνήχθη (anēchthē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_321.htm">Strong's 321: </a> From ana and ago; to lead up; by extension to bring out; specially, to sail away. by ὑπὸ (hypo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Spirit Πνεύματος (Pneumatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. wilderness ἔρημον (erēmon) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2048.htm">Strong's 2048: </a> Lonesome, i.e. waste. to be tempted πειρασθῆναι (peirasthēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline. by ὑπὸ (hypo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. devil. διαβόλου (diabolou) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1228.htm">Strong's 1228: </a> From diaballo; a traducer; specially, Satan. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by (Matt. 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