1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. 8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: 10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. (Luke 4:1-13 KJV)
The Temptation of Jesus
The previous chapter identifies Jesus as the Son of Adam. Therefore, Jesus, in overcoming the devil’s temptations, fulfilled the prophecy of the woman’s seed defeating the serpent. Satan once deceived Adam and Eve, but Jesus effectively struck back and conquered the enemy. He was fully prepared for this trial because he was filled with the Holy Spirit, who had descended on him like a dove at his baptism. Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit are best equipped to resist even the strongest temptations.
He had just returned from Jordan, where he was baptized and acknowledged by a voice from heaven as the beloved Son of God; thus, he was prepared for this battle. When we have had the most comforting communion with God and the clearest revelations of his favor, we may expect that Satan will attack us.
He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, by the good Spirit, who led him as a champion into the field to fight the enemy he was sure to conquer. His being led into the wilderness gave some advantage to the tempter, for there he was alone, without friends to support him. However, it also gave him an advantage, as during his forty days of fasting, he was wholly engaged in meditation and preparation for his mission. He spent all his time in close, uninterrupted communion with his Father, which fortified him against Satan’s assaults.
He continued fasting for forty days (Luke 4:2). This fast was miraculous, like those of Moses and Elijah, and showed him to be a prophet sent by God. By retiring into the wilderness, he demonstrated his detachment from the world; by his fasting, he showed his self-control over the body. Satan cannot easily take hold of those who are detached from worldly desires.
During these forty days, he was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:2). Not by inward suggestions, for the prince of this world had nothing in Christ to exploit, but by external solicitations. At the end of the forty days, when Jesus was hungry, the devil took this opportunity to attack him.
First, he tempted Jesus to doubt his Father’s care and to provide for himself in an unauthorized way (Luke 4:3): “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” He challenged Jesus to prove his divine sonship by miraculously feeding himself, implying that if he did not, he was not truly the Son of God. Christ refused, knowing that he must not act on Satan’s suggestions. Miracles were for confirming faith, not for satisfying Satan’s challenges. Instead, Jesus quoted Scripture (Luke 4:4): “It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone.” He trusted that God, who had sustained him for forty days, would continue to do so.
Second, the devil tempted him with power and glory (Luke 4:5-7). Taking him to a high mountain, he showed him all the kingdoms of the world and said, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, if you worship me.” Satan falsely claimed ownership of these kingdoms and offered them on the condition of worship. Jesus immediately rejected this temptation, saying (Luke 4:8), “It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Christ refused to receive from Satan what he was to receive from his Father, for Satan’s way was contrary to God’s.
Third, Satan tempted Jesus to test God’s protection presumptuously (Luke 4:9-11). He took him to the pinnacle of the temple and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you to guard you.” The devil misused Scripture, twisting it to encourage reckless behavior. Jesus answered (Luke 4:12), “It is said: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” He knew that true faith does not require unnecessary risks to prove God’s protection. After these temptations, the devil left him for a time (Luke 4:13). Christ had defeated him, showing that Satan’s tactics could not prevail against his perfect obedience and trust in God.