Matthew 4

Matthew 4 covers two main themes: the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and the beginning of His public ministry including His calling of the first disciples.

Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11)

  • After His baptism and affirmation by God the Father as His beloved Son, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the Judean wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

  • Jesus fasted for forty days and nights, a period symbolic of testing and trial in the Bible (similar to Moses, Elijah, Israel in the wilderness, and Noah). Though extremely difficult, Jesus likely drank water but ate no food during this time.

  • The temptations test Jesus' trust in God's provision and His mission:

    • First, Satan tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger, appealing to self-reliance rather than dependence on God. Jesus rebukes him, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God".
    • Second, Satan challenges Jesus to prove His divine sonship by throwing Himself from the temple pinnacle, misusing Scripture to tempt God. Jesus responds by affirming not to put God to the test, citing Deuteronomy 6:16.
    • Third, Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would worship him. Jesus rejects this, commanding Satan to depart and emphasizing worship to God alone and service to Him.

  • Jesus’ responses emphasize His complete obedience and dependence on God's Word and will, resisting temptation by Scripture and the Spirit rather than by His own divine power. This victory demonstrates His qualification as sinless and as our High Priest.

  • After the temptations, angels came to minister to Jesus, symbolizing divine approval and care.

Beginning of Jesus' Ministry and Calling of Disciples (Matthew 4:12-22)

  • With the arrest of John the Baptist, Jesus moves to Galilee, specifically Capernaum, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that the land of Zebulun and Naphtali would see a great light.
  • Jesus begins proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near," marking the start of His public ministry.
  • By the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls His first disciples—Simon Peter and Andrew, then James and John, all fishermen. They immediately leave their nets and follow Him, indicating the commitment to become "fishers of men".
  • This calling illustrates Jesus’ kingdom mission reaching all classes and the importance of following Him wholeheartedly.

Summary

Matthew 4 presents Jesus’ moral and spiritual victory over Satan’s temptations by relying on the Word of God and obedience to the Father, thus affirming His identity as the Son of God. Immediately following, Jesus initiates His ministry of preaching repentance and calling disciples to join His mission, demonstrating the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s kingdom on earth.

This chapter sets a foundational example of faithfulness, dependence on Scripture, and commitment to God’s calling for all followers.

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