Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 4:11

"Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him." — Matthew 4:11 (ASV)

The devil temporarily left Jesus (cf. 16:23) Though the conflict has barely begun, the pattern of obedience and trust has been established. He had learned to resist the devil (cf. James 4:7). The angelic help is not some passing blessing but a sustained one. Jesus had refused to relieve his hunger by miraculously turning stones to bread; now he is fed supernaturally. He had refused to throw himself off the temple heights in the hope of angelic help; now angels feed him. He had refused to take a shortcut to inherit the kingdom of the world; now he fulfills Scripture by beginning his ministry and announcing the kingdom in Galilee of the Gentiles (vv.12–17).