1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, [by] the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left [their] nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and [from] Decapolis, and [from] Jerusalem, and [from] Judaea, and [from] beyond Jordan.
Overview of Matthew Chapter 4
Matthew Chapter 4 details two significant events in the early ministry of Jesus: His temptation in the wilderness and the beginning of His public ministry in Galilee. This chapter highlights the themes of resistance to temptation, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the call to discipleship.
Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11)
In this section, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. This moment serves as a pivotal point in establishing Jesus’ identity and mission.
- Preparation through Fasting: Jesus fasts for forty days and nights, which signifies a period of preparation and spiritual focus.
- Three Temptations: The devil presents three specific temptations to Jesus:
- Turning Stones to Bread: The first temptation challenges Jesus’ hunger and His identity as the Son of God.
- Throwing Himself from the Temple: The second temptation tests Jesus’ faith and reliance on God’s protection.
- Offering All Kingdoms: The third temptation presents a shortcut to power and glory, bypassing the suffering of the cross.
Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry (Matthew 4:12-17)
Following His temptation, Jesus begins His public ministry, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah regarding the light coming to those in darkness.
- Withdrawal to Galilee: Jesus moves to Capernaum, marking a strategic shift in His ministry.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: The passage emphasizes the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1-2, highlighting Jesus as the light for those in darkness.
- Message of Repentance: Jesus begins to preach, calling for repentance as the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
Calling of the First Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22)
This section illustrates the calling of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, followed by James and John, the sons of Zebedee.
- Call to Discipleship: Jesus invites the fishermen to follow Him, promising to make them “fishers of men.”
- Immediate Response: The disciples respond immediately, leaving their nets and their father to follow Jesus, showcasing their commitment and faith.
- Significance of Discipleship: This moment emphasizes the importance of leaving behind former lives to embrace a new mission under Jesus’ guidance.
Jesus’ Healing Ministry (Matthew 4:23-25)
The chapter concludes with a summary of Jesus’ ministry, highlighting His teaching, healing, and the growing popularity among the people.
- Teaching in Synagogues: Jesus teaches in synagogues, indicating His role as a rabbi and authority on the Scriptures.
- Healing the Sick: He heals all kinds of diseases and afflictions, demonstrating His compassion and divine power.
- Gathering of Crowds: The fame of Jesus spreads, attracting large crowds from various regions, indicating the widespread impact of His ministry.
Thematic Analysis
- Temptation and Resistance: The chapter emphasizes the importance of spiritual preparedness and reliance on Scripture to combat temptation.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: The narrative highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, reinforcing His messianic identity.
- Call to Action: The immediate response of the disciples serves as a model for Christian discipleship, emphasizing the necessity of commitment to follow Jesus.
- Compassion and Healing: Jesus’ ministry is characterized by compassion, as seen in His healing acts, which serve as a physical manifestation of His spiritual teachings.
