Matthew 4:5

Sunday, 15 September 2024

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, Matthew 4:5

“Then the Traducer, he takes Him to the holy city and stands Him upon the winglet of the temple” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus answered the tempter concerning commanding the stones to become bread. Rather, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy concerning living by the word of God. Now, the second temptation begins, saying, “Then the Traducer.”

As in Matthew 4:1, the word is a definite article followed by an adjective – “the devilish.” However, it is referring to the devil. But that is a transliteration to some extent. The meaning is a slanderer or traducer. His continued target is Jesus as he intends to destroy Him before He can be any real threat to him. Therefore, it next says, “he takes Him to the holy city.”

The holy city is Jerusalem, the capital of the holy land as noted in Zechariah 2:12 where it is called admath ha’qodesh, ground the holy. Calling it the holy city is unique in the gospels to Matthew. It is seen here and in Matthew 27:53. The term is used in Revelation when referring to Jerusalem in Revelation 11:2 and the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation 21:2.

There, in the holy city of the holy land, the Traducer takes Jesus to the holiest place in the holy city. Matthew records this saying, “and stands Him upon the winglet of the temple.”

Most translations say “pinnacle,” but the word is pterugion, a winglet. This word comes from pterux, a wing. That, in turn, comes from the verb petomai, to fly. One can get an etymological hint of our word pterodactyl from these words.

As for this winglet, Thayer’s Greek Lexicon cites Eusebius saying it was the top of the temple. Also “some understand this of the top or apex of the sanctuary..., others of the top of Solomon's porch, and others of the top of the Royal Portico.”

The idea of a wing probably means a projection like a wing, meaning something like the apex of a roof or gable. Being used with the article, “the winglet,” it was something understood to be noticeable to all. Thus, the word “pinnacle” may be correct. However, because of the dispute, a literal translation is preferred, winglet. Whatever the exact meaning, it would be a high point from which the Traducer will make his second attempt against Jesus.

Life application: The Traducer is there to tempt others into sin. This is his thing, and he will continue to do this right up until the point in time recorded in Revelation 20 –

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.” Revelation 20:1-3

What this means is that there will be no relief from his machinations during our lifetime. Believers in Christ will either die or be raptured before his temptations cease for a thousand years. If you think that having a victory over his temptations is the end of the deal, think again. He didn’t stop after his first attempt at Jesus, and he will continue to tempt you as well.

When Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God, he doesn’t mean from 9 am until 3 pm. He certainly means all day every day. Temptations are sure to come, but because Jesus has prevailed, we will also prevail through Him. Until that day, we need to be sure to prepare ourselves constantly for whatever this evil entity will throw at us, especially in our times of weakness –

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Take time to read the rest of Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:14-20. It will take you just a moment. As for the devil, after the thousand years, he will be released to give grief to the world one last time. But his end will come –

“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10

Lord God, You have a plan that is being worked out, slowly and methodically in the stream of human existence. Thank You for the assurance we possess, knowing You have all things under control. We know this is so because Your word tells us it is. Thank You for this advanced notice that everything will turn out right in the end. Amen.