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Read the Bible

New King James Version

Matthew 4:4

But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " Deuteronomy 8:3">[fn]

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Hunger;   Jesus Continued;   Man;   Quotations and Allusions;   Satan;   Temptation;   Word of God;   Scofield Reference Index - Inspiration;   Thompson Chain Reference - Battle of Life;   Bible, the;   Weapons;   Word;   Word of God;   The Topic Concordance - Life;   Man;   Word of God;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Christ, Character of;   Devil, the;   Life, Spiritual;   Manna;   Scriptures, the;   Temptation;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Deuteronomy;   Miracle;   Tempt;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Fasting;   Food;   Inspiration;   Jesus christ;   Manna;   Miracles;   Satan;   Temptation;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Adam, the Second;   Bread, Bread of Presence;   Demon;   Image of God;   Lord's Prayer, the;   Manna;   Mouth;   Persecution;   Temptation, Test;   Watchfulness;   Work;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Hutchinsonians;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Humiliation of Christ;   Satan;   Temptation;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Manna;   Matthew, the Gospel According to;   Pentateuch;   Philip the Apostle;   Scriptures;   Shewbread;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Atonement;   Crown;   Jesus, Life and Ministry of;   Life;   Matthew, the Gospel of;   Mouth;   Wilderness;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Ethics;   Incarnation;   Jesus Christ;   Law;   Mss;   Satan;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abstinence;   Antichrist ;   Attributes of Christ;   Authority in Religion;   Claims (of Christ);   Endurance;   Humanity of Christ;   Imagination;   Inspiration;   Judaea;   Lawlessness;   Living (2);   Logia;   Man (2);   Manliness;   Mission;   Mouth ;   Obedience (2);   Old Testament (I. Christ as Fulfilment of);   Originality;   Personality;   Popularity;   Popularity ;   Pride (2);   Quotations (2);   Redemption (2);   Religion (2);   Scripture (2);   Selfishness;   Septuagint;   Silence;   Stone;   Struggles of Soul;   Temptation;   Temptation ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Man;   14 Word Words;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Kingdom of christ of heaven;   Kingdom of god;   Kingdom of heaven;   Levi;   Scripture;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Adam in the Old Testament;   Antichrist;   Deuteronomy;   Inspiration;   Jubilee Year;   Kingdom of God (of Heaven), the;   Matthew, the Gospel of;   Quotations, New Testament;   Spiritual Meat;   Temptation of Christ;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Christianity in Its Relation to Judaism;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for April 20;   Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for September 27;   Faith's Checkbook - Devotion for July 4;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
King James Version (1611)
But he answered, and said, It is written, Man shall not liue by bread alone, but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
King James Version
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
English Standard Version
But he answered, "It is written, "‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
New American Standard Bible
But He answered and said, "It is written: 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
New Century Version
Jesus answered, "It is written in the Scriptures, ‘A person lives not on bread alone, but by everything God says.'"
Amplified Bible
But Jesus replied, "It is written and forever remains written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
Geneva Bible (1587)
But he answering said, It is written, Man shall not liue by bread onely, but by euery worde that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
Legacy Standard Bible
But He answered and said, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
Berean Standard Bible
But Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Contemporary English Version
Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.'"
Complete Jewish Bible
But he answered, "The Tanakh says, ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of Adonai '"
Darby Translation
But he answering said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which goes out through God's mouth.
Easy-to-Read Version
Jesus answered him, "The Scriptures say, ‘It is not just bread that keeps people alive. Their lives depend on what God says.'"
George Lamsa Translation
But he answered and said, It is written, that it is not by bread alone that man can live, but by every word which comes from the mouth of God.
Good News Translation
But Jesus answered, "The scripture says, ‘Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.'"
Lexham English Bible
But he answered and said, "It is written, ‘Man will not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God."
Literal Translation
But answering, He said, It has been written: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every Word going out of the mouth of God." Deut. 8:3
American Standard Version
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Bible in Basic English
But he made answer and said, It is in the Writings, Bread is not man's only need, but every word which comes out of the mouth of God.
Hebrew Names Version
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
International Standard Version
But he answered, "It is written,Deuteronomy 8:3;">[xr] 'One must not live on bread alone, but on every word coming out of the mouth of God.'"Deuteronomy 8:3">[fn]
Etheridge Translation
But he answered and said, It is written that not by bread alone liveth the Son of man, but by every word which proceedeth from the mouth of Aloha.
Murdock Translation
But he replied, and said: It is written, that not by bread only, doth man live; but by every word proceeding from the mouth of God.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But he aunswered, and sayde, it is written: Man shall not lyue by breade only, but by euery worde that proceadeth out of the mouth of God.
English Revised Version
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
World English Bible
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But he answering said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Weymouth's New Testament
"It is written," replied Jesus, "`It is not on bread alone that a man shall live, but on whatsoever God shall appoint.'"
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Which answeride, and seide to hym, It is writun, Not oonli in breed luyeth man, but in ech word that cometh of Goddis mouth.
Update Bible Version
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
Webster's Bible Translation
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
New English Translation
But he answered, "It is written, ‘ Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God .'"
New Living Translation
But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
New Life Bible
But Jesus said, "It is written, ‘Man is not to live on bread only. Man is to live by every word that God speaks.'"
New Revised Standard
But he answered, "It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, he, answering, said, It is written, - Not on bread alone, shall man live, but on every declaration coming forth through the mouth of God.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.
Revised Standard Version
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
He answered and sayde: yt is wrytten man shall not lyve by brede onlye but by every worde yt proceadeth out of the mouth of God.
Young's Literal Translation
But he answering said, `It hath been written, Not upon bread alone doth man live, but upon every word coming forth from the mouth of God.'
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
He answered & sayde: yt is wrytte: Man shall not lyue by bred onlye, but by euery worde that proceadeth out of the mouth of God.
Mace New Testament (1729)
but Jesus answered him, It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every thing that God shall prescribe."
THE MESSAGE
Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth."
Simplified Cowboy Version
Jesus said, "Man don't live on just bread, but on every word that comes out of God's mouth."

Contextual Overview

1 Mark 1:12,13; Luke 4:1-13">[xr] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " Deuteronomy 8:3">[fn] 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,'
and,'In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " Psalms 91:11, 12 ">[fn] 7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' " Deuteronomy 6:16">[fn] 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, [fn] Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' " Deuteronomy 6:13">[fn]

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

It is: Matthew 4:7, Matthew 4:10, Luke 4:4, Luke 4:8, Luke 4:12, Romans 15:4, Ephesians 6:17

Man: Deuteronomy 8:3, Luke 4:4

but: Matthew 14:16-21, Exodus 16:8, Exodus 16:15, Exodus 16:35, Exodus 23:15, 1 Kings 17:12-16, 2 Kings 4:42-44, 2 Kings 7:1, 2 Kings 7:2, Haggai 2:16-19, Malachi 3:9-11, Mark 6:38-44, Mark 8:4-9, John 6:5-15, John 6:31-59, John 6:63

but: That is, as Dr. Campbell renders, "by every thing which God is pleased to appoint;" for סחלב [Strong's G4487], which generally signifies a word, is, by a Hebraism, here taken for a thing, like davar in Hebrew.

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:2 - that we 1 Kings 17:4 - I have commanded Psalms 17:4 - word Isaiah 38:16 - General Daniel 1:15 - their Matthew 4:6 - for Matthew 6:11 - General Matthew 6:31 - What shall we eat

Cross-References

Genesis 4:16
Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.
Genesis 4:17
And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. And he built a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son--Enoch.
Genesis 4:19
Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah.
Genesis 4:20
And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.
Genesis 15:17
And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces.
Exodus 13:12
that you shall set apart to the LORD all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the LORD's.
Leviticus 9:24
and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
Numbers 16:35
And a fire came out from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.
Numbers 18:12
"All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and the grain, their firstfruits which they offer to the LORD, I have given them to you.
Numbers 18:17
But the firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the LORD.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But he answered and said, it is written,.... The passage referred to, and cited, is in Deuteronomy 8:3 the manner of citing it is what was common and usual with the Jews; and is often to be met with in the Talmudic writings; who, when they produce any passage of scripture, say דכתיב, "as it is written". The meaning of this scripture is; not that as the body lives by bread, so the soul lives by the word of God, and doctrines of the Gospel; though this is a certain truth: or that man lives by obedience to the commands of God, as was promised to the Israelites in the wilderness, and in the land of Canaan; but that God, in satisfying man's hunger, and in supporting and preserving his life, is not tied to bread only, but can make use of other means, and order whatever he pleases to answer these ends; as, by raining manna from heaven, which is mentioned in the passage cited; and therefore there was no occasion to change the nature of things, to turn stones into bread; since that was not so absolutely necessary to the sustenance of life, as that it could not be maintained without it. Our Lord hereby expresses his strong faith and confidence in God, that he was able to support him, and would do it, though in a wilderness, and destitute of supply; whereby he overcame this temptation of Satan. Christ, in this, and some following citations, bears a testimony to, and establishes the authority of the sacred writings; and though he was full of the Holy Ghost, makes them the rule of his conduct; which ought to be observed against those, who, under a pretence of the Spirit, deny the scriptures to be the only rule of faith and practice and at the same time points out to us the safest and best method of opposing Satan's temptations; namely, by applying to, and making use of the word of God.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But he answered and said ... - In reply to this artful temptation Christ answered by a quotation from the Old Testament. The passage is found in Deuteronomy 8:3. In that place the discourse is respecting manna. Moses says that the Lord humbled the people, and fed them with manna, an unusual kind of food, that they might learn that man did not live by bread only, but that there were other things to support life, and that everything which God had commanded was proper for this. The term “word,” used in this place, means very often, in Hebrew, thing, and clearly in this place has that meaning. Neither Moses nor our Saviour had any reference to spiritual food, or to the doctrines necessary to support the faith of believers; but they simply meant that God could support life by other things than bread; that man was to live, not by that only, but by every other thing which proceeded out of his mouth; that is, which he chose to command people to eat. The substance of his answer, then, is: “It is not so imperiously necessary that I should have bread as to make a miracle proper to procure it. Life depends on the will of God. He can support it in other ways as well as by bread. He has created other things to be eaten, and man may live by everything that his Maker has commanded.” And from this temptation we may learn:

1. That Satan often takes advantage of our circumstances and wants to tempt us. The poor, the hungry, and the naked he often tempts to repine and complain, and to be dishonest in order to supply their necessities.

2. Satan’s temptations are often the strongest immediately after we have been remarkably favored. Jesus had just been called the Son of God, and Satan took this opportunity to try him. He often attempts to fill us with pride and vain self-conceit when we have been favored with any peace of mind, or any new view of God, and endeavors to urge us to do something which may bring us low and lead us to sin.

3. His temptations are plausible. They often seem to be only urging us to do what is good and proper. They seem even to urge us to promote the glory of God, and to honor him. We are not to think, therefore, that because a thing may seem to be good in itself, that therefore it is to be done. Some of the most powerful temptations of Satan occur when he seems to be urging us to do what shall be for the glory of God.

4. We are to meet the temptations of Satan, as the Saviour did, with the plain and positive declarations of Scripture. We are to inquire whether the thing is commanded, and whether, therefore, it is right to do it, and not trust to our own feelings, or even our wishes, in the matter.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 4:4. But by (or, upon, επι) every word — ρημα, in Greek, answers to דבר dabar in Hebrew, which means not only a word spoken, but also thing, purpose, appointment, c. Our Lord's meaning seems to be this: God purposes the welfare of his creatures - all his appointments are calculated to promote this end. Some of them may appear to man to have a contrary tendency but even fasting itself, when used in consequence of a Divine injunction, becomes a mean of supporting that life which it seems naturally calculated to impair or destroy.


 
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