Matthew Chapter 4

[hotcoffee]

Matthew 4

New International Version (NIV)


Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

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

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “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.’[c]”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Jesus Begins to Preach

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:


15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 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.”[f]

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

18 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 lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 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, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Heals the Sick

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis,[g] Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.


Footnotes:
a.Matthew 4:1 The Greek for tempted can also mean tested.
b.Matthew 4:4 Deut. 8:3
c.Matthew 4:6 Psalm 91:11,12
d.Matthew 4:7 Deut. 6:16
e.Matthew 4:10 Deut. 6:13
f.Matthew 4:16 Isaiah 9:1,2
g.Matthew 4:25 That is, the Ten Cities

[Radiant1]

1 [1-11] Jesus, proclaimed Son of God at his baptism, is subjected to a triple temptation. Obedience to the Father is a characteristic of true sonship, and Jesus is tempted by the devil to rebel against God, overtly in the third case, more subtly in the first two. Each refusal of Jesus is expressed in language taken from the Book of Deuteronomy (Deut 8:3; 6:13, 16). The testings of Jesus resemble those of Israel during the wandering in the desert and later in Canaan, and the victory of Jesus, the true Israel and the true Son, contrasts with the failure of the ancient and disobedient "son," the old Israel. In the temptation account Matthew is almost identical with Luke; both seem to have drawn upon the same source.

2 [2] Forty days and forty nights: the same time as that during which Moses remained on Sinai (Exodus 24:18). The time reference, however, seems primarily intended to recall the forty years during which Israel was tempted in the desert (Deut 8:2).

3 [4] Cf Deut 8:3. Jesus refuses to use his power for his own benefit and accepts whatever God wills.

4 [5-7] The devil supports his proposal by an appeal to the scriptures, Psalm 91:11a, 12. Unlike Israel (Deut 6:16), Jesus refuses to "test" God by demanding from him an extraordinary show of power.

5 [9] The worship of Satan to which Jesus is tempted is probably intended to recall Israel's worship of false gods. His refusal is expressed in the words of Deut 6:13.

6 [12-17] Isaiah's prophecy of the light rising upon Zebulun and Naphtali (Isaiah 8:22-9:1) is fulfilled in Jesus' residence at Capernaum. The territory of these two tribes was the first to be devastated (733-32 B.C.) at the time of the Assyrian invasion. In order to accommodate Jesus' move to Capernaum to the prophecy, Matthew speaks of that town as being "in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali" (Matthew 4:13), whereas it was only in the territory of the latter, and he understands the sea of the prophecy, the Mediterranean, as the sea of Galilee.

7 [17] At the beginning of his preaching Jesus takes up the words of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2) although with a different meaning; in his ministry the kingdom of heaven has already begun to be present (Matthew 12:28).

8 [18-22] The call of the first disciples promises them a share in Jesus' work and entails abandonment of family and former way of life. Three of the four, Simon, James, and John, are distinguished among the disciples by a closer relation with Jesus (Matthew 17:1; 26:37).

9 [20] Here and in Matthew 4:22, as in Mark (Mark 1:16-20) and unlike the Lucan account (Luke 5:1-11), the disciples' response is motivated only by Jesus' invitation, an element that emphasizes his mysterious power.

10 [23-25] This summary of Jesus' ministry concludes the narrative part of the first book of Matthew's gospel (Matthew 3-4). The activities of his ministry are teaching, proclaiming the gospel, and healing; cf Matthew 9:35.

11 [23] Their synagogues: Matthew usually designates the Jewish synagogues as their synagogue(s) (Matthew 9:35; 10:17; 12:9; 13:54) or, in address to Jews, your synagogues (Matthew 23:34), an indication that he wrote after the break between church and synagogue.

12 [24] Syria: the Roman province to which Palestine belonged.

13 [25] The Decapolis: a federation of Greek cities in Palestine, originally ten in number, all but one east of the Jordan.

New American Bible Copyright © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

[hotcoffee]

Originally Posted by hotcoffee

Matthew 4

New International Version (NIV)


Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

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

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “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.’[c]”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

So let's take the first eleven verses first.

Jesus was tempted. I'm not going to get into the whole "born in sin" debate all over again. In the study notes in my thumper it says that the Greek words used by Matthew here [tempted and tested] are interchangeable.

When we look back at the scene with John the Baptist, I commented that Jesus had taken on man's sins and failures. Here Matthew discusses the fact that Jesus was tempted before starting his ministry mission.

When Adam was tempted in the Garden of Eden, he failed almost immediately. I guess we could argue that he was ignorant. He didn't understand the consequences of his failure. As a parent I have to say, however, after giving my children all I could manage, their ignorance didn't seem to matter when they talked back to me or did what I told them not to do.

Even though I'd like to use the ignorance doesn't matter argument here, I note that Jesus was educated. When tempted He responded with "It is written".

Radiant1 pointed out that Jesus was in the desert for 40 days which was indicative of the 40 years Israel wandered around the desert before finally came to the promised land. Looking back on that 40 years in the desert, it didn't take long for the Israelites to begin to complain.

One of the stories I remember from the saga of those 40 years in the desert was when God set out to show the Israelites that He could supply them with meat to go along with the manna if He so chose. He caused a multitude of birds to sweep in at waist height. The Israelites hadn't been told they could gather the birds [as he had with the manna] but the snatched them out of the wind and ate them anyway. God really got angry with them for not following what He was saying.

Anyway, back to Jesus in the desert. It says after 40 days He was hungry. I know I couldn't last 40 hours in the desert let alone 40 days. It doesn't say He went totally without food, that I can find, but I'm sure He would have loved to have a good meal. My thumper study notes say something about Satan's test "change the rocks into loaves" was a jab at the manna God sent Israel.

Then there's the temptation to throw himself off the highest point of the temple. Although Herod's temple was built extremely tall with balconies and stone walls, it would be nothing for Jesus to throw Himself into the air and let the angels catch Him. The first time I read this I thought about how easy it would have been for Him to have the angels pluck Him out of Pilot's hands or off of the cross. He didn't have to go through any of that but I am getting way ahead of myself here.

Then the last temptation takes us back to the reason so many of the Jews just couldn't believe Him to be the Messiah. Satan showed Him great wealth. He could have been the wealthiest of all the kings who had ever been on earth. Jesus told Satan to leave.

Notice that Satan did what Jesus told him to do. That proves to me that Jesus does control Satan.

And then the Angels came to minister to Him. He didn't summon them.

I just love Jesus.... and this Bible....

[cheezgrits]

Just to get a rational viewpoint on this:

Then there's the temptation to throw himself off the highest point of the temple. Although Herod's temple was built extremely tall with balconies and stone walls, it would be nothing for Jesus to throw Himself into the air and let the angels catch Him. The first time I read this I thought about how easy it would have been for Him to have the angels pluck Him out of Pilot's hands or off of the cross. He didn't have to go through any of that but I am getting way ahead of myself here.

Since we are saying that Jesus was in fact God on earth in a human form, my question has always been that since he was God, he knew what would come, that he would resurrect himself, so therefore, how could he truly suffer for man, knowing the outcome of death? He did not have that mystery of what happens after death, so there fore, how could he truly suffer like man?

Then the last temptation takes us back to the reason so many of the Jews just couldn't believe Him to be the Messiah. Satan showed Him great wealth. He could have been the wealthiest of all the kings who had ever been on earth. Jesus told Satan to leave.

Ummmm, you didn't do what I think you just did, did you?

Notice that Satan did what Jesus told him to do. That proves to me that Jesus does control Satan.

Does he? Or is there a necessarily mutually required relationship between the two, both then and now? Then to help illustrate the point and now to have a reason for good and evil and a continuing battle and testing for mortals.

I mean, really, if God is so powerful, couldn't he vanquish one rebellious angel? If he wanted to and if there were no purpose, correct?

[Radiant1]

Originally Posted by cheezgrits

Since we are saying that Jesus was in fact God on earth in a human form, my question has always been that since he was God, he knew what would come, that he would resurrect himself, so therefore, how could he truly suffer for man, knowing the outcome of death? He did not have that mystery of what happens after death, so there fore, how could he truly suffer like man?

I had to think about this a bit. It seems to me that a faithful man is confident of an afterlife and would not fear what comes after death. Jesus would have been the same, although it would be a knowing and not a faith per se. Of course both that man and Jesus would still suffer the pain of death in whatever manner that may come. This doesn't address those who doubt, but I don't think that implies Jesus did not have a full human experience.

Originally Posted by cheezgrits

Does he? Or is there a necessarily mutually required relationship between the two, both then and now? Then to help illustrate the point and now to have a reason for good and evil and a continuing battle and testing for mortals.

I mean, really, if God is so powerful, couldn't he vanquish one rebellious angel? If he wanted to and if there were no purpose, correct?

I believe in Judaism Satan is an angel of temptation, not particularly a fallen angel or adversary to God, but used by God for a purpose like in the book of Job. In Christian tradition Satan is a Seraphim, which is the highest order of angels who rebelled, but obviously God keeps him around for a reason. Can we actually choose good if there is no opposing choice? And if there is no opposing choice, do we then choose to love God or are we just automatons and "yes men"?

There is no darkness without light to teach us of ourselves ~ Killswitch Engage

[hotcoffee]

Originally Posted by cheezgrits

Just to get a rational viewpoint on this:


Since we are saying that Jesus was in fact God on earth in a human form, my question has always been that since he was God, he knew what would come, that he would resurrect himself, so therefore, how could he truly suffer for man, knowing the outcome of death? He did not have that mystery of what happens after death, so there fore, how could he truly suffer like man?

Jesus is God.... this is true... but He was born as a human. Notice it says here that He was hungry. Later we'll see Him get angry and we'll also see Him get very depressed.

There will be a section later on where He will beg God to let Him out of the whole death thing... but He will follow that with "thy will be done".

As we go on reading you will see a very human side of Jesus. He is tempted. God was never tempted.

Originally Posted by cheezgrits

Ummmm, you didn't do what I think you just did, did you?

No I didn't say that Jesus is not the Messiah. The Jewish community was looking for a king like Solomon or David. Someone great, rich, a mighty warrior. They expected the Messiah to conquer their enemies and bring the promised land back to the hands of the Israelites. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a horrible place. It was almost a curse to be called a Nazarene. He never cared too much for the riches of this world. Jesus wasn't here to impress.

Originally Posted by cheezgrits

Does he? Or is there a necessarily mutually required relationship between the two, both then and now? Then to help illustrate the point and now to have a reason for good and evil and a continuing battle and testing for mortals.

I mean, really, if God is so powerful, couldn't he vanquish one rebellious angel? If he wanted to and if there were no purpose, correct?

Satan will be thrown out of Heaven. It's in Revelations. We're a long way from there in this book.

I get your point. He could have thrown Satan into the pit right then and there.... but...

Let me put it this way.... If you were God, wouldn't you prefer that people worship you because it's their desire to do so? If we can get thru the whole New Testament and get into the end of Revelations we'll have this discussion again....

Thanks for reading... I wondered if you were in here....

[hotcoffee]

Jesus Begins to Preach

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:


15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
16 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.”[f]

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

I figured we could use a map so I found this link.

You'll find Nazareth north of Galilee. He walked this. Most people walked in those days. Capernaum is located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. It's near the top on this map.

[cheezgrits]

Yeah, I'm here. I truly love reading and participating in this discussion/readings with you and radiant1. You two ladies are a pleasure to learn from and discuss things with and ask my questions, especially since you two seem to understand and appreciate where I'm coming from.

Nice to have intelligent, philosophical discussions.

Oh, and hotcoffee, I wasn't suggesting you were saying Jesus wasn't the Messiah, I thought you were making a connection between Jews and money.

[cheezgrits]

I think that's one of the things I like about the stories of Jesus. Regardless of what I think, I appreciate the fact that he walked, talked with the common folks, lived amongst and like the people he was one of. I suspect from some of my readings, he was comfortable speaking in front of any type audience.

To me, it lends credibility to what he taught, when he's one of us.

That's a lot of why I shun organized religion. Too flashy and car salesman like.

I just had this vision of me and Jesus sitting at a table, I like to think he'd drink a beer with me, and just shooting the breeze.

That's a nice thought right there. Unlike the YOU'RE WRONG!! MY JESUS OR NO JESUS!!

[Radiant1]

Originally Posted by cheezgrits

I think that's one of the things I like about the stories of Jesus. Regardless of what I think, I appreciate the fact that he walked, talked with the common folks, lived amongst and like the people he was one of. I suspect from some of my readings, he was comfortable speaking in front of any type audience.

To me, it lends credibility to what he taught, when he's one of us.

That's a lot of why I shun organized religion. Too flashy and car salesman like.

I just had this vision of me and Jesus sitting at a table, I like to think he'd drink a beer with me, and just shooting the breeze.

That's a nice thought right there. Unlike the YOU'RE WRONG!! MY JESUS OR NO JESUS!!

Considering He dined with tax collectors and prostitutes and drank wine, I suspect you're right about the beer and a chat.