Bible Notes

Matthew 4

The temptation of Christ, the "last Adam" (1 Co. 15:45), is best understood when contrasted with that of "the first man Adam." Adam was tempted in his place of lord of creation, a lordship with but one reservation, the knowledge of good and evil (Ge. 1:26; 2:16-17). Through the woman he was tempted to add that also to his dominion. Falling, he lost all. But Christ took the place of a lowly Servant, acting only from and in obedience to the Father (Php. 2:5-8; compare John 5:19; 8:28, 54), that He might redeem a fallen race and a creation under the divine curse (Ge. 3:17-19; compare Ro. 8:19-23). Satan's one object in the threefold temptation was to induce Christ to act by Himself, independent of His Father. The first two temptations were a challenge to Christ from the god of this world to prove Himself indeed the Son of God. The third was the offer of the usurping prince of this world to divest himself of what rightfully belonged to Christ as Son of Man and Son of David, on the condition that He accept the scepter on Satan's world principles (compare John 18:36). Christ defeated Satan by a means open to His humblest follower, the intelligent use of the Word of God. In his second temptation Satan also used Scripture, but he cited a promise available only to one in the path of obedience.

The Temptation of Jesus

1.Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted 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 does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

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.'"

7.Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

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.'"

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 returned 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 to the sea, along 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."

17.From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

The Calling of the 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 make you fishers of men." 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, preaching 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, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

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