Bible Commentaries
Matthew 4

Verse 1

Matthew 4:1 -- 1-11 Satan Tempts Jesus

devil ... Slander, an accuser

Some see a parallel in Matthew’s gospel here and the children of Israel. God’s "true Son" vs the sons of Isreal. 1) called out of Egypt Matthew 2:15 vs Moses’ deliverance; 2) Jesus’ baptism vs. Moses and the Red Sea; 3) Jesus’ faithfulness in temptation (bread, manna, etc) vs the grumbing in the wilderness. 4) chosen disciples vs. Moses, Aaron ( and Joshua;) 5) the sermon on Mount vs the Ten commandments;

The third temptation (Matthew 4:8-9) was with regard to power and wealth. It was a temptation to short-circuit God’s plan for salvation that required the redemptive suffering of Jesus. Satan offered Jesus immediate glory and riches, while God’s plan would take Jesus down a road of suffering and death.

Here are the Synoptic passages for the Temptation from the RP Majority Text. Notice Mark’s characteristic strong verb and plethora of details. Matthew uses a passive, whereas Mark uses the active voice. Matt use ὑπό with the genitive of Spirit; Luke uses ἑν with the dative of Spirit. Also notice that Mark uses his characteristic ἐυθὺς, straightway/immediately. Matt. and Luke both have Devil, whereas has Satan. Also Matt. & Luke have “into” the wilderness; Mark has “en.”

Verse 2

Matthew 4:2

fasting ... Luke 4:2 "he ate no food."

Fasting in Scripture was for a spiritual reason, namely to forego a physical need to give attention to a more important spiritual need

Constable, T. (2003). Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Mt 4:1). Galaxie Software.

Verse 3

Matthew 4:3

4:3 the tempter approached and said to him The text does not say whether the devil is in human form.

bread ... Satan saying, "let the body have dominance."

Verse 4

As it is written . . The common introduction to OT quotations (cf. Romans 1:17; Romans 2:24; Romans 3:4; Romans 3:10; Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:6-7, Matthew 4:10). The tense of the Gr. verb stresses continuity and permanence, and implies its divine authority. - MSB

Verse 5

Matthew 4:5

The words of the Evangelist describe an actual scene—not a dream. The devil really came to Jesus, but in what manner he came is not stated. These were not isolated temptations in the life of Jesus. Cp. Luke 22:28,

Taketh (παραλαμβάνει) The preposition παρά (with, by the side of), implies taketh along with himself, or conducteth. It is the same word which all three evangelists use of our Lord’s taking his chosen apostles to the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:9; Luke 9:28).

Holy city -- ἁγίαν πόλιν. This designation used of the actual Jerusalem by St Matthew alone is transferred to the heavenly Jerusalem, Revelation 11:2; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 22:19.

set -- [stood WG] -- ἔστησεν for ἵστησιν (TR) with the four oldest uncials and the cursives 1, 33, 209. The reading of the textus receptus may be due to the present, παραλαμβάνει.

pinnacle ... ("highest part"?); Barnes says "roof", others the hig part of the temple or of the temple complex. Most think this is the south-east corner of the temple complex looking down over the Kidron Valley. This place historically is called "the pnnacle."

Verse 6

matt 4.6

As it is written . . The common introduction to OT quotations (cf. Romans 1:17; Romans 2:24; Romans 3:4; Romans 3:10; Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:6-7, Matthew 4:10). The tense of the Gr. verb stresses continuity and permanence, and implies its divine authority. - MSB

Verse 7

Matthew 4:7

Verse 8

Matthew 4:8

Luke’s wording suggests that Satan presented all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus in a vision (Luke 4:5)

Constable, T. (2003). Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Mt 4:8). Galaxie Software.

The third temptation (4:8–9) was with regard to power and wealth. It was a temptation to short-circuit God’s plan for salvation that required the redemptive suffering of Jesus. Satan offered Jesus immediate glory and riches, while God’s plan would take Jesus down a road of suffering and death.

Verse 9

Matthew 4:9

Here, the devil tempts Jesus to trust in worldly power rather than the power of God. The Israelites were also tempted this way in the desert (and afterward, in the land of Israel).

Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Mt 4:9). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Verse 10

As it is written . . The common introduction to OT quotations (cf. Romans 1:17; Romans 2:24; Romans 3:4; Romans 3:10; Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:6-7, Matthew 4:10). The tense of the Gr. verb stresses continuity and permanence, and implies its divine authority. - MSB

Verse 11

Matthew 4:11

4:11 the devil went away. Satan had to depart in response to Jesus’ authoritative rebuke. But Matthew does not imply by this that Satan’s evil activity was finished (cf. Matthew 5:37; Matthew 6:13; Matthew 12:28-29; Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:38). Luke 4:13 makes this clear—”he left him until the next opportunity came.”

Turner, D., & Bock, D. L. (2005). Cornerstone biblical commentary, Vol 11: Matthew and Mark (p. 67). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

11. Then the devil leaveth him. Luke adds, “for a season.” When the devil is resisted he always flees.

angels came to minister to him. I suppose this ministry was to supply him with food, but they also would afford spiritual sympathy.

Johnson, B. W. (1891). The people’s New Testament: with explanatory notes (p. 32). St. Louis, MO: Christian Publishing Company.

And, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Kept back before both by the presence of the evil one, and by the need for the God-Man to contend alone, they now came up to him and ministered to him so long as they could be helpful (for the change of tenses, cf. Matthew 8:15). Mark however (Mark 1:1) implies that they had been present at other times than after this last crisis. Ministered; possibly supplying his bodily need (cf. Matthew 8:15; Luke 10:40);

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. Matthew (Vol. 1, pp. 106–107). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

"Angels" came and ministered to Jesus. What did it mean to "minister" to Jesus? Did they provide Jesus with food now, as the birds did for Elisha, 1 Kings 17:4; 1 Kings 17:6.

Verse 12

Matthew 4:12 -- 12-17 Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry

Verse 18

Matthew 4:18 -- 18-22 Four Fishermen Called as Dsciples

Verse 23

Matthew 4:23 -- 23-25 Jesus Heals Great Multitudes

all Galilee -- See Matthew 2:22.

synagogues -- The Jews assembled together each Sabbath to worship, but it seems that regular school classes for the boys may have also been conducted here. The origin of synagogues is involved in much obscurity. Some dating it as far back as only the Babylonian captivity, but it may date back to Solomon’s time or even earlier when he arranged for teachers to spread throughout the land to teach the Word of God. It may even date to the time when the cities of refuge were established and/or in each Levitical city that also become a school center.

The Israelites were among most literate people in the land of Canaan.

The sacrifices were appointed to be held in on place, at the tabernacle in Shiloh, and later in the temple in Jerusalem.

Praises to God were sung in the schools of the prophets and there was regular worship at designated times, 2 Kings 4:23; 1 Samuel 10:5-11.

Synagogues were built in any place where ten men were found who were willing to associate for the purpose, and were the regular customary places of worship. In them the law, i. e. the Old Testament, divided into suitable portions, was read, prayers were offered, and the Scriptures were expounded. The law was so divided that the five books of Moses, and portions of the prophets, could be read through each year. The Scriptures. after being read, were expounded. This was done, either by the officers of the synagogue, or by any person who might be invited by the officiating minister. Our Saviour and the apostles were in the habit of attending at those places continually, and of speaking to the people, Luke 4:15-27; A 13:14-15.

The synagogues were built in imitation of the temple, with a center building, supported by pillars, and a court surrounding it. See the notes at Matthew 21:12 In the center building, or chapel, was a place prepared for the reading of the law. The law was kept in a chest, or ark, near to the pulpit. The uppermost seats Matthew 23:6 were those nearest to the pulpit. The people sat around, facing the pulpit. When the law was read, the officiating person rose; when it was expounded, he was seated. Our Saviour imitated their example, and was commonly seated in addressing the people, Matthew 5:1; Matthew 13:1. - Barnes

teaching -- Instructing the people, or explaining the gospel.

the gospel of the kingdom -- The good news respecting the kingdom and the good news respecting the coming of the Messiah and the nature of his kingdom.

preaching -- Matthew 3:1

all manner of sickness -- all kinds of sickness.

Verse 24

Matthew 4:24

his fame went throughout all Syria ... cf. Matthew 15:21-22