Matthew · New Testament · Matthew 4:1–11
The Temptation of Jesus
The Story
After his baptism, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, where he fasted for forty days and forty nights. When he was weak with hunger, the devil came to tempt him, first challenging him to prove his power by turning stones into bread. Jesus refused, answering, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" The devil then took him to the highest point of the Temple in Jerusalem and dared him to throw himself down, claiming that angels would catch him. Jesus replied, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the LORD your God.'" Finally, the devil offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for his worship. Jesus commanded him, "Get out of here, Satan! For the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'" At that, the devil left.
The Message
Temptation is real, even for Jesus — and it often strikes when we are at our most vulnerable. Jesus met every temptation not with personal willpower, but with the truth of God's Word. When we are tested, returning to Scripture is not just a strategy — it is the faithful response God calls us to.