Matthew 4:1-11

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Matthew 4:1-11
Since the Father has proclaimed Jesus as “His beloved Son,” Satan immediately challenges that claim. “If you are the Son of God” is his repeated preface. This is not the only time that Jesus will be tempted. He was tempted all His life, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). Luke 4:13 states that after this temptation, Satan “departed from Him until an opportune time.” Indeed, that is Satan’s pattern with all men. He is always looking for an opportune time.This is only the third time in the Bible that we hear Satan speak. He spoke in the Garden when he defamed God to man (Gen. 3:2). He spoke again in Job 1:9 when he defamed man to God. He speaks here in this text when he defames the God-Man to His face. Thus his name “devil” (accuser, slanderer) is justly given.

Satan uses three temptations. These are the same three that he used on Eve. He first tempts Jesus with the lust of the flesh: turn these stones to bread. Then he tempts with the lust of the eye: he showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Finally, he tempts with the pride of life: throw Yourself down from the temple and the angels will bear you up. These are the three categories of temptations Satan uses (1 Jn. 2:16). These are all he has, but they have worked against all men. 2 Corinthians 2:11 tells us that we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices. If we are not ignorant of them, we should do a better job in overcoming them.

Notice how Jesus uses scripture to defeat Satan’s challenge. Knowing the word of God is the first key to defeating Satan. Satan is a liar and he uses his deception to trick us. The nature of Satan’s temptations is also significant. In each case Satan tries to get Jesus to take a shortcut. Jesus was hungry. No need to wait for the Father to fulfill the need, do it now! Jesus came to rule the world. No need to sacrifice, bow to me and I will give them to you. Jesus came to have all men honor Him. You can have the glory immediately by jumping off the temple and having the angels catch You. Thus, we see the essence of Satan’s temptations. Instead of having our needs fulfilled in the God’s time and in God’s way, we are urged to follow the easy, quick path, the path of sin.
Berry Kercheville