Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Matthew (Levi)
Date Penned: (60-65 AD)
Overview: Jesus Christ the King (c 1-28)
Theme: Message and Ministry of Jesus, The King (c 4-25)
Message: Satan Tempts Jesus in the Wilderness (v 1-11)
Jesus Begins His Ministry (v 12-22) Jesus Preached Throughout Galilee (v 23-25)
Matthew 4 Commentary
(4:1) This temptation by Satan shows us that Jesus was human, and it gave Jesus the opportunity
to reaffirm God's plan for his Ministry. It also gives us an example to follow when
we are tempted. Jesus' temptation was an important demonstration of his sinlessness. He would face temptation and not
five in. This time of testing showed that Jesus really was the Son of God, able to overcome Satan and his temptations. A person has
not shown true obedience if he or she has never had an opportunity to disobey. We read in Deuteronomy 8 that God led Israel
into the wilderness to humble and prove them. He wanted to find out whether or not they would really obey him. We,
too, will be tested. Because we know that testing will come we should be alert and ready for it. Remember, your convictions
are only strong if they hold up under pressure! Satan, the devil, tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, and here he tempts Jesus
in the wilderness. Satan is a fallen angel, He is real, not symbolic and is constantly fighting against those who follow and
obey God. Satan's temptations are real, and he is always trying to get us to live his way or our way rather than God's way.
Jesus will one day reign over all creation, but Satan tried to force his hand and get him to declare his kingship prematurely.
If Jesus had given in, his mission on earth - to die for our sins and give us the opportunity to have eternal life - would
have been lost. When temptations seem especially strong, or when you think you can rationalize giving in, consider whether
Satan may be trying to block God's purposes for your life or for someone else's life. Jesus was tempted by Satan, but he never
sinned! Although we may feel dirty after being tempted, we should remember that temptation itself is not sin. We sin when
we give in and disobey God. Remembering this will help us turn away from the temptation. Jesus wasn't tempted in the Temple
orat his baptism but in the wilderness where he was tired, alone, and hungry, and thus most vulnerable. Satan often tempts
us when we are vulnerable - when we are physically or emotionally stressed (for example, loney, tired, weighing big decisions,
or faced with uncertainty) But Satan also likes to tempt us through our strengths, where we are most susceptible to pride.
Luke 4) We must guard at all times against his attacks.
(4-2) Satan's temptations focused on three crucial areas of needs/desires,
possessions/power, and pride (1 John 2) But Jesus did not give in. Hebrews 4 says that Jesus ``was in all points tempted like
we are, yet without sin" He knows firsthand what we are experiencing, and he is willing and able to help us in our
struggles. When you are tempted, turn to him for our strength.
(4:3) Jesus was hungry and weak after fasting for 40 days, but
he chose not to use his divine power to satisfy his natural desire for food. Food, hunger, and eating are good, but the timing
was wrong, because Jesus had given up the unlimited, independent use of His divine power in order to experience humanity fully.
We may also be tempted to satisfy a perfectly normal desire in the wrong way or at the wrong time. If we indulge in premarital relations before
marriage or if we steal food. We are trying to satisfy our God given desires apart from God's plan for our lives. God
has a plan to meet every need that is in your life in His timing.
(4:4) Jesus was able to resist all of Satan's temptations because
he not only know Scripture, but he also obeyed it. Ephesians 6 says that God's Word is a sword to use in spiritual combat.
Knowing Bible Verses is an important step in helping us resist Satan's attacks, but we must also obey the Bible.
Note that Satan had memorized Scripture, but he failed to obey it. Knowing the obeying the Bible helps us follow God's
desires rather than Satan's
(4:5) The Temple was the religious center of the Jewish nation and the place where the people
expected the Messiah to arrive (Malachi 3) Herod the Great had Renovated the Temple in hopes of gaining uth Jews confidence.
The Temple was the tallest building in the area, and this pinnacle was probably the corner that jutted out of the hillside,
overlooking the valley below. From this spot, Jesus could see all ofJerusalem behind him and the country for miles
in front of him.
(4:6) God is not our magician in the sky, I response to Satan's temptations, Jusus said not to tempt
God or put Him to a foolish test (Deuteronomy 6) You may want to ask God to do something to prove his existence or his love
for you. Jesus taught through a parable that people who don't believe through what is written in the Bible won't believe
even if someone were to come back from the dead to warn them (Luke 16) God wants us to live by faith, not by magic. Don't
try to manipulate God by asking for signs. Satan uses Scripture to try to convince Jesus to sin. Sometimes friends or associates
will present attractive and convincing reasons why you should try something you know is wrong. They may even find Bible verses
that seem to support their viewpoint. Study the Bible carefully, especially the broader context of specific verses, so
that you understand God's principles for living and what he wants for your life. Only if you really understand what the whole
Bible says, can you recognize errors of interpretation when people take verses out of context and twist them to say what
they want them to say.
(4:7) Did Satan have the power to give Jesus the kingdoms of the world? Didn't God, the Creator of the
world, have control over them? Satan may have been lying about his implied power, or he may have based his offer on his temporary
control and free rein over the earth because of humanity's sinfulness. Jesus' temptation was to take the world as a political
ruler right then, without carrying out his plan to save the world from sin. Satan was trying to distort Jesus' perspective
by making him focus on worldly power and not on God's plans.
(4:8-10) Satan offered all the world to Jesus if he would only
kneel and worship him. Today Satan offers us the world by trying to entice us with materialism and power. We can resist temptations
the same way Jesus did. If you find yourself craving something that the worls offers, quote Jesus' words to Satan: "Thou
shalt worship the Lord they God, and him only shall thou serve."
(4:11) Angels, like those who ministered to Jesus have a significant
role as God's messengers.
(4:12,13) Jesus moved from Nazareth, his hometown, to Capernaum, about 20 miles farther north. Capernaum
became Juesus's home base during his ministry in Galilee. Jesus's move fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 9 which states that
the Messiah will be a light to the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, the region of Galilee where Capernaum was located.
(4:14-16) By quoting from
the book of Isaiah, Matthew continues to tie Jesus's ministry of the Old Testament. This was helpful for his Jewish listeners,
who were familiar with these Scriptures, In addition, it shows the unity of God's purposes as he works with his
people throughout all ages.
(4:17) The "kingdom of heaven" has the same meaning as the "kingdom of God" in
Mark and Luke, Matthew uses this phrase because the Jews, out of their intense reverence respect, did not pronounce God's
name. The kingdom of heaven is still near because it has arrived in our hearts. Jesus started his ministry with the very same
word the people had heard John the Baptist say "Repent" The message is the same today as when Jesus and John gave
it. Becoming a follower of Christ means turning away from our self-centeredness and "Self" control and
turning our lives over to Christ's direction and control.
(4:18) The Sea of Galilee is really a large lake. About 30 fishing
towns surrounded it during Jesus' day and Capernaum was the largest. Jesus told Peter and Andrew to leave their
fishing business and become "fishers of men" to help others find God. Jesus was calling them away from their
productive trade to be productive spiritually. We all need to fish for souls. If we practice Christ's teachings and share
the Gospel with others, we will be able to draw those around us to Christ like a fisherman who pulls fish into his boat with
nets.
(4:19,20)
These men already knew Jesus. He had to talk to Peter and Andrew previously (John1) and had been preaching in the area. When
Jesus called them they knew what kind of man he was and were willing to follow him. They were not in a hypnotic trance when
they followed but instead were thoroughly convinced that following him would change their lives forever.
(4:21,22) James and his brother,
John, along with Peter and Andrew, were the first disciples Jesus called to work with him, Jesus' call motivated them to get
up and leave their jobs - immediately. They didn't make excuses about why it wasn't a good time. They left once and followed
him. When Jesus asks us to serve him, we must be like the disciples and do it at once.
(4:23) Jesus was teaching, preaching, and healing.
These were the three main aspects of his ministry. Teaching shows Jesus' concern for understanding. Preaching shows his concern
for commitment and healing shows his concern for wholeness. His miracles of healing authenticated his teaching and preaching,
showing that he truly was Diety. Jesus soon developed a powerful preaching ministry and often spoke in the synagogue. Most
towns that had 10 or more Jewish families had a synagogue. The building served as a religious gathering place on the Sabbath
and as a school during the week. The leader of the synagogue was not a preacher as much as an administrator. His job
was to find and invite rabbis to teach and preach. It was customary to invite visiting rabbis like Jesus to speak
(4:24) Jesus preached the
Gospel - the Good News - to everyone who wanted to hear it. The Gospel is that - the Kingdom of heaven has come, that God
is with us, and that he cares for us, Christ can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well.
There's no sin or problem too great or too small for him to handle. Jesus' words were good news because they offered
freedom, hope, a peace of heart, and eternal life with God.
(4:25) Decapolis was a league of 10 Gentile towns east of the
Sea of Galilee, joined together for better trade and mutual defense. The word about Jesus was out, and Jews and Gentiles were
coming long distances to hear him.
Dave Burnette's
Life Application
Fishers of Men
Each day we walk
through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can
be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of Matthew with Chapter 4. In our text today we see Satan tempting
Jesus in the wilderness before He begins His Ministry preaching repentance seeing sinners come to Salvation. What catches
my eye is those who Christ called, turned to Jesus, and followed Him. In making application we see that Jesus is still calling
sinners to repentance and those who respond to the call follow Him making them fishers of men. How about you? Have you responded
to the call of the Lord being saved to follow Him? Let us learn from our text today and the Ministry of Jesus to see that
those who respond to the Gospel of repentance, will turn from their sin and follow Him.
