Matthew Chapter 4 — The Temptation and Early Ministry of Jesus

Jesus overcomes three temptations from the devil in the wilderness before beginning His ministry in Galilee and calling His first four disciples.

TemptationSpiritual AuthorityCalling of DisciplesHealing MinistryProphecy Fulfillment

1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

2When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.

3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

4But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’ ”✡Deuteronomy 8:3

5Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,

6and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

7Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’ ”✡Deuteronomy 6:16

8Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

9He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”

10Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me,*TR and NU read “Go away” instead of “Get behind me” Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ ” ✡Deuteronomy 6:13

11Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.

12Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.

13Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,

14that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

15“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

16the people who sat in darkness saw a great light;

17From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

18Walking by the sea of Galilee, he†TR reads “Jesus” instead of “he” saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

19He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”

20They immediately left their nets and followed him.

21Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them.

22They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.

23Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.

24The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them.

25Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

WEB Translation

Notable Verses

Matthew 4:4

But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’ ”

This verse establishes Jesus' reliance on scripture to overcome physical and spiritual challenges.

Matthew 4:17

From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

This marks the official beginning of Jesus' public ministry and His central message.

Matthew 4:19

He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”

This is the iconic invitation Jesus uses to call His first disciples to a new mission.

Chapter Summary

Matthew chapter 4 begins with the Holy Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days and nights. During this time, the devil presents three temptations involving physical hunger, divine protection, and worldly power; Jesus rebuffs each one using scripture from Deuteronomy. After the devil leaves and angels minister to Him, Jesus hears of John the Baptist's arrest and relocates to Capernaum in Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy regarding a light for the Gentiles. He begins preaching that the Kingdom of Heaven is near and calls for repentance. Along the Sea of Galilee, Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave their fishing nets and follow Him to become 'fishers for men.' The chapter concludes with Jesus traveling throughout Galilee, teaching in synagogues, preaching the Good News, and performing numerous healings, which draws vast crowds from the surrounding regions of Syria, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The devil first tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger. He then challenges Jesus to throw Himself from the temple's pinnacle to prove God's protection. Finally, the devil offers Jesus all the world's kingdoms in exchange for worship.

After hearing that John the Baptist had been arrested, Jesus withdrew into Galilee. He left Nazareth and made His home in Capernaum, which fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah concerning light in the darkness.

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus called two pairs of brothers. First, He called Simon Peter and Andrew, followed by James and John, the sons of Zebedee, all of whom were fishermen.

Jesus' primary message was a call to repentance because the Kingdom of Heaven was near. This echoed the message previously preached by John the Baptist and set the stage for His ministry.

Study Note

The reference to 'Zebulun and Naphtali' highlights the geographical fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy concerning the light reaching the 'Galilee of the Gentiles.'

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