The Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He didn’t eat for forty days and forty nights and became hungry. The tempting devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell those stones to become bread loaves.”
Jesus answered, “It has been written down ‘Mankind will not survive on bread alone, but by everything that God says.'”
The devil then took Jesus to the holy city and sat him on the highest tower of the temple. “If you are the Son of God, jump off!” he said. “It has been written down ‘He’ll tell the angels what to do for you, and they will carry you so you don’t even trip over a rock.'”
Jesus answered, “It has been written down, ‘Don’t test the Lord your God.'”
The devil took Jesus to a high mountain and showed him all of the kingdoms in the world and how amazing they were. “If you worship me, I’ll give you all of this.”
“Go away, Satan,” Jesus told him. “It has been written down ‘You will only worship and serve the Lord your God.'”
The devil finally left him alone. Angels arrived and saw to Jesus’s needs.
When he heard that John had been arrested, he went to Galilee.
After he left Nazareth, he stayed in Capernaum, which is on the sea-side in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah said: ‘In the area of Zebulun and Naphtali by the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee where the non-Jews live, people sitting in darkness will see a light. People living in the land and under death’s shadow have a light shining on them.’
This is when Jesus began to preach. He said, “Change your ways! The kingdom of heaven has come closer.”
Walking on the beach at the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw Simon (aka Peter) and his brother Andrew fishing, because that was their job. He said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishermen of men!”
They immediately left their fishing gear and began following him.
Then Jesus saw two more brothers, James and John, Zebedee’s sons, in a boat with their Dad. They were fixing their nets when Jesus invited them to go with him. They immediately left the boat, with their Dad still in it, and followed Jesus.
He went around Galilee teaching where the Jewish people assembled. He told them the good news of the kingdom and healed all sorts of disease and sickness that people had.
Jesus began to become famous around Syria. People brought other people who had various diseases, painful injuries, demon possession, mental illness or couldn’t walk. Jesus healed them all. Crowds followed him. There were people from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and beyond the Jordan river.
Matthew Chapter 4 Summary
Matthew Chapter 4 is Jesus’ journey as He resists temptation in the desert and begins His service. The Holy Spirit leads Him to the desert where, after fasting for forty days and nights, He is tempted by the devil. Despite the devil’s temptations of turning stones into bread, jumping off a tower, and ruling the world in exchange for worship, Jesus remains committed to God’s Word.
Upon hearing about John’s arrest, Jesus moves to Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy. In Galilee, Jesus starts preaching and pleads with people to repent, as the kingdom of heaven is near. Jesus calls Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, and John to be His disciples, who immediately stop their jobs to follow and help Him. As Jesus continues to teach and heal the sick, His fame grows. He attracts followers from everywhere, all of whom are amazed with His abilities to cure disease and sickness.
Matthew Chapter 4 Bible Study Questions and Answers
- Q: What does Jesus’ time of temptation in the desert teach us about resisting temptations in our lives?
A: Jesus’ time in the desert shows us the importance of knowing and relying on God’s Word to resist temptations. It teaches us to remain confident in our faith even in testing times. - Q: How does Jesus respond to the devil’s temptations and what can we learn from His responses?
A: Jesus responds to each temptation by quoting Scripture, demonstrating the power of God’s Word. This teaches us the value of Scripture in our lives and the importance of using it as a weapon against temptations. - Q: What does Jesus mean when He says, “The kingdom of heaven has come closer”?
A: Jesus’ announcement signifies that with His presence on earth, the God’s reign is near and accessible, and people are invited to be a part of it through repentance and faith. - Q: Why did Peter, Andrew, James, and John immediately leave their work to follow Jesus?
A: Their immediate response shows their recognition of Jesus’ authority and a willingness to leave everything behind to follow Him. It teaches us to put our faith first and commitment to God over worldly goals. - Q: What is the importance of Jesus healing the sick?
A: Jesus’ healing miracles show His power and care, confirms His role as the saviour, and are a sign of God’s kingdom breaking into the world.
Matthew Chapter 4 Explained
In Matthew Chapter 4, the story focuses on two major themes: Jesus’ temptation by the devil and the start of His public service. These aspects reveal Jesus’ holy authority, His fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, and set the tone for His future teachings and miracles.
Jesus’ time in the desert shows His human vulnerability and holy strength. Although he is physically hungry, He resists the devil’s temptations by relying on the strength of God’s Word. This communicates a powerful message to Christians about the importance of having a good spiritual diet over physical needs and the power of God’s Word in overcoming trials.
Jesus’ move to Galilee following John’s arrest represents the exchange of the spiritual torch from John to Jesus, in fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Jesus’ decision to start His ministry in an area populated by non-Jews shows His message is for everyone, not just Jews, and that God’s kingdom expands beyond Israel.
When Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they abandon their work to follow Him. This immediate and complete obedience highlights the transformative power of Jesus’ call and underscores the magnitude of His divine mission.
As Jesus preaches the ‘good news of the kingdom’, He brings a message of hope and that God’s reign over the world is coming. His ability to heal many different sicknesses shows that God’s kingdom is here, where wholeness and well-being win over brokenness and illness.
The chapter ends with an example of Jesus’ growing influence, showing His fame spreading far and wide. It sets the stage for His future teachings and miracles, solidifying His role as the promised saviour and confirms His authority to both His followers and generations of followers to come.
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Continue exploring Matthew 4
If you’d like to read Matthew 4 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 4 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 4 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 4 in the Contemporary English Version.
If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
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For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version
If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are some commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)
Not My Life 