Bible Commentaries
Matthew 4

Verse 1

The Spirit ; the Holy Spirit.

To be tempted of the devil ; as were our first parents in Eden, and as are all their children. Christ must qualify himself for his office of Redeemer by successfully withstanding that temptation under which Adam and his children fell. See note on chap. Matthew 3:15 . At the same time he gave an example of the way to resist temptation, to baffle the tempter, and to overcome when tempted. God often leads his servants into great trials preparatory to the discharge of great and momentous duties.

Verse 3

Tempter ; Satan, the adversary of God and man, who solicits to evil, and suggests motives to induce men to commit it.

Verse 4

It is written ; Deuteronomy 8:3 .

By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God ; every appointment of God for this purpose. Matthew does not here quote the exact words, but the sense.

Verse 5

Those who wrongly quote the Bible, and thus pervert its meaning, imitate the devil.

Verse 6

If thou be the Son of God , cast thyself down ; Satan would have Jesus tempt God by a needless exposure of his life.

It is written ; Psalms 91:11-12 . The phrase, "in all thy ways," which is in the text quoted, meaning in the path of duty, Satan omitted, as if God would preserve a person from harm when out of the path of duty. This was a gross perversion of Scripture.

Verse 7

It is written ; Deuteronomy 6:16 .

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord ; try his power, truth, and faithfulness in opposition to his revealed will.

Verse 10

It is written ; Deuteronomy 6:13 .

Verse 11

If we steadfastly resist his temptations by refusing to comply with them, and follow the directions of Scripture, the tempter will flee from us, James 4:7 , and we shall secure the assistance of good angels, who are sent forth to minister to them who are heirs of salvation. Hebrews 1:14 .

Verse 12

Cast into prison ; Luke 3:20 .

Galilee ; the northen part of Palestine.

Verse 13

Capernaum ; a town on the north-west shore of the sea of Galilee.

Verse 14

Fulfilled ; Isaiah 9:1-2 . Esaias in Greek is the same as Isaiah in Hebrew.

Verse 15

Galilee of the Gentiles ; Galilee bordering on the gentile nations, who seem also to have been more or less intermixed with its inhabitants.

Verse 16

Saw great light ; the light of Christ’s presence and teaching. Compare John 8:12 . Men who are without the gospel are in great darkness, but the reception of it will give them great light.

Verse 18

Sea of Galilee ; called also the sea of Tiberias and the lake of Gennesareth; about thirteen miles long, and from six to nine miles wide: through it runs the Jordan. Those who are diligent in appropriate business are preparing for increased usefulness. From them Christ often selects his ministers; and he can so influence them, that they will forsake all and follow him.

Verse 19

Fishers of men ; the means of taking them out of the kingdom of Satan, and bringing them into the kingdom of Christ.

Verse 23

Synagogues ; the Jewish places of public worship. No diseases of body or soul are so complicated or stubborn that Jesus cannot heal them. All the diseased should therefore apply to him, that of his fulness they may receive according to their wants.

Verse 24

Syria ; a country north and east of Palestine.

Possessed with devils ; devils at that time were permitted to have special influence over some men; and this gave Jesus Christ opportunity to show his controlling power over them, and his mercy in expelling them.