Matthew 4:3

Friday, 13 September 2024

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Matthew 4:3

“And having come, the one tempting, he said to Him, ‘If Son – you are – of God, speak, that these stones – they might become bread’” (CG).

The previous verse noted that after forty days and forty nights of fasting, Jesus was hungry. Because of that weakened state, it next says, “And having come, the one tempting.”

The idea of “having come,” is one of nearness. The tempter came near to Jesus, but this does not mean he came physically. The Lord would speak to the prophets of old so that they audibly heard Him, but there was no physical presence. Likewise, Peter says this –

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8, 9

There is nothing to suggest that the tempter appears to people in a visible form. Rather, a spiritual battle is what believers are engaged in. As for the word “tempter,” it is the same word just used in verse 4:1, peirazó. At that time, it was translated as “test,” rather than tempt.

Jesus went through an extended period of testing which now culminates in being tempted by the tempter. As noted, HELPS Word Studies says, “Context alone determines which sense is intended, or if both apply simultaneously.”

Jesus will be tempted in three ways that practically mirror what happened with Adam in the Garden of Eden. That begins with the words, “he said to Him, ‘If Son – you are – of God.’”

The word Son is in the emphatic position, and thus, the temptation is based on that premise. As for the word “if,” the Greek word is ei. It does not suggest any doubt. Rather, the words presume that Jesus is the Son of God. It would be like someone saying to a very strong person, “If you are so strong, why don’t you use your strength in this case?”

The tempter fully realizes that Jesus is the Son of God and is working out his temptation based on that premise. And so, he continues with the words, “speak, that these stones – they might become bread.”

Here, the word stones is plural. In Luke 4, it is singular – this stone. It may be that the words were first stated in general. Look around you at all these stones (the area is a very rocky place). With that, the tempter may have focused on a single stone that looked exceedingly like a loaf of bread, highlighting the temptation and tempting Jesus even further, “This one! Look at how tasty it could be... go ahead and command it!”

As for the temptation, in the garden, the devil said to the woman, “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). The tempter knows that Jesus is like God because He is the Son of God, and so instead of tempting Him with becoming like God, He tempts Him with what God can do.

However, this is testing of Jesus’ humanity, not His deity. In other words, it says in Hebrews –

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

The devil gained possession of the rights to mankind by causing man to sin. If Jesus the Man were to prevail over the tempter and to also fulfill God’s law as a Man, that right would be restored to Him. If Jesus, however, were to rely on His deity to overcome the works of the devil, there would be no transfer of rights.

The story of Ruth gives detailed insights into this transfer of rights between people. Sin is what necessitated Jesus’ incarnation. His state as a Man who can regain the right to humanity is what is under consideration.

The age-old question of “Could Jesus sin?” is what is brought into focus here. This is known as the doctrine of impeccability. The tempter obviously felt He could. The account of Jesus’ life, however, bears out that He did not.

Going back to Matthew 3:17, the voice from the heavens audibly proclaimed that Jesus is God’s Son of whom God had approved. Looking around at all of the stones in His extreme hunger, it would have been an enormous temptation to appease Himself by using His divine power to satisfy His human needs. But it would have marred the entire purpose of His incarnation.

Therefore, He resisted the temptation, as will be seen in the coming verse.

Life application: Jesus prevailed over the temptation before Him. In our faith in Jesus, we are brought into a state of salvation because we transfer our headship from Adam to Him. The authority the devil possesses over humanity is broken through our faith. However, our trials do not end. In fact, they often become more pronounced –

“For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.” 1 Thessalonians 3:4, 5

The devil understands our new position in Christ, and he wants nothing more than to disarm our power in Him. The power we are given is our faith. And our faith leads us to share with others the faith we possess. Paul continues –

“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8

If our faith is weakened, then our testimony is weakened. When that happens, we are no longer telling others about Jesus, and souls that could be transferred from Adam to Jesus will never hear the gospel. The devil did not want Jesus to prevail because he hates humanity and wants nothing more than for it to be eternally condemned. However, Jesus prevailed, and His offer stands for all people to receive. But this is only going to come about by people of faith telling others the good news.

Let us hold fast, remain strong in the faith, and rely wholly on the strength of the good news of Jesus Christ to carry us through our lives as we continue to boldly proclaim what we know – for the salvation of others and to the glory of God.

Lord God Almighty, give us the strength, wisdom, and endurance to continue in our faith all of our days so that we will boldly and effectively tell others about the goodness of God in Christ. May it be so, to Your glory. Amen.