What does Matthew 4:1 mean?

Matthew 4:1 KJV
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Matthew 4:1 NKJV
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:1 MKJV
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit up into the wilderness, to be tempted by the Devil.

Matthew 4:1 KJV 2000
Then was Jesus led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Interlinear KJV

Then /tote/ was Jesus /Iesous/ led up /anago/ of /hupo/ the Spirit /pneuma/ into /eis/ the wilderness /eremos/ to be tempted /peirazo/ of /hupo/ the devil. /diabolos/

Albert Barnes’ Commentary

Verse 1.  The wilderness. See Barnes for Mt 3:1.

The Spirit. Luke says, (Lu 4:1,) that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. It was by his influence, therefore, that Christ went into the desert.

To be tempted. The word to tempt, in the original, means to try, to endeavour, to attempt to do a thing; then, to try the nature of a thing, as metals by fire; then, to test moral qualities by trying them, to see how they will endure; then, to endeavour to draw men away from virtue by suggesting motives to evil. This is the meaning here, and this is now the established meaning of the word in the English language.

The devil. This word originally means an adversary or an accuser; thence any one opposed; thence an enemy of any kind. It is given in the Scriptures, by way of eminence, to the leader of evil angels–a being characterized as full of subtlety, envy, art, and hatred of mankind. He is known, also, by the name of Satan, Job 1:6-12; Mt 12:26; Beelzebub, Mt 12:24; the old Serpent, Re 12:9; and the prince of the power of the air, Eph 2:2. The name is sometimes given to men and women. 2Ti 3:3 Truce-breakers, slanderers–in the original, devils. 1Ti 3:2: So must their wives be grave, not slanderers–in the original, devils.

{a} “led up of the Spirit” 1Ki 18:12; Eze 11:1,24; Ac 8:39

{b} “to be tempted” Mr 1:12; Lu 4:1

People’s New Testament Commentary

The Temptation, and Christ’s Ministry in Galilee

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 4: Jesus in the Wilderness. The Tempter. The Temptation to Convert Stones into Bread. The Temptation to Cast Himself from the Temple. The Offer of Worldly Power and Glory. Ministering Angels. The Galilean Ministry. Disciples Called. Preaching and Healing. The Fame of Christ.

Then was Jesus led of the Spirit. Mark says he was driven by the Spirit, a phrase that indicates a sudden and forcible impulsion. [See Mr 1:12.]

Into the wilderness. Tradition has placed the scene of Christ’s temptation in that part of the wilderness of Judea which lies between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, and particularly in the mountain called Quarantania, from this forty days’ fast.

To be tempted. Christ must be tempted (1) Because it was impossible that one who came to overthrow the kingdom of Satan should not be attacked by the great adversary at the very threshold. (2) It was to test him. (3) It was to prepare him, by being tempted like as we are, and yet gaining the victory, to “succor them that are tempted” [Heb 2:18]. (4) It was to set an example for us when we are tempted. The three great temptations mentioned by Matthew are the three great classes of temptations to which men are now exposed.

Of the devil. Here the existence and personality of Satan are placed before us in the most distinct language. The devil is, (1) A person (Eph 2:2; 6:12; Heb 2:14; Jude 1:6);| (2) A fallen angel (Joh 8:44; 2Pe 2:4; Jude 1:6). The word devil means “false accuser.”