Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 4:1

"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." — Matthew 4:1 (ASV)

Jesus’ three temptations tie into his baptism, not only by the references to sonship and the Spirit, but by the opening “Then.” The same Spirit who engendered Jesus (1:20) and attested the Father’s acknowledgment of his sonship (3:16–17) now leads him into the desert to be tempted by the devil. The “desert” (GK 2245) is not only the place associated with demonic activity (Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah 34:14; Matthew 12:43; Revelation 18:2) but, in a context abounding with references to Dt 6–8, the place where Israel experienced her greatest early testings.

The “devil” (GK 1333) is the chief opposer of God, the archenemy who leads all the spiritual hosts of darkness (cf. Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 12:7; et al.). In a day of rising occultism and open Satanism, it is easier to believe the Bible’s plain witness to him than twenty years ago.

That Jesus should be led “by the Spirit” to be tempted “by the devil” is no stranger than Job 1:6–2:7. “To tempt” (GK 4279) can also mean “to test.” Scripture “tempting” or “testing” can reveal or develop character (Genesis 22:1; Exodus 20:20; 2 Corinthians 13:5) as well as solicit to evil (1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; see comments on Lk 4:1–2). In Jesus’ temptations God clearly intended to test him just as Israel was tested; Jesus’ responses prove that he understood.