Matthew 4

Satan Tempts Jesus (4:1-11)

A. Tempt literally means “to stretch out.”
1. Temptation results from excitement of some lust (Jas. 1:13-15). God does not tempt man however God does test man (e.g. Abraham).
2. Temptation is not sin in itself but the yielding unto it.
3. It is necessary for Jesus to be tempted in order to be an example for us (1 Pet 2:20-21).
B. Satan.
1. In the O.T. Satan is a kind of lawyer arguing man’s sins to God; but in the N.T. Satan’s identity is clearer, he is the fallen angel, an evil
trickster, who through him sinners are condemned to hell fire. During the dark ages, the people transformed the pagan image of half
goat and half man into the image of Satan, but not so in the N.T. (2 Cor. 11:14). Satan’s abode is not hell but this world (2 Cor. 4:4).
2. Names of Satan:
a. Satan – adversary.
b. Devil – slanderer.
c. Lucifer – morning star.
d. Beelzebub – god of flies.
C. First temptation, the lust of the flesh.
1. Since Jesus fasted for forty days definitely he would be hungry. Satan took opportunity of this and tempted Jesus to satisfy His hunger
in His own way instead of God’s way. If Jesus yielded to it, he would sin by showing his distrust to God.
2. His answer was Deu. 8:3. Man is satisfied not only by physical things but also by spiritual things through obedience to God.
D. Second temptation, the pride of life.
1. Jesus was brought to the pinnacle of the temple, a sufficient height to kill a person. The Devil quoted Psa. 91:11-12, a promise to
protect the Messiah from dying prematurely. He tempted Jesus to prove Himself as God’s Son to the people by jumping from the
pinnacle to the ground without harm.
2. Jesus quoted Deu. 6:16. The word “God” in this passage refers to the Father, not to Jesus.
E. Third temptation, the lust of the eyes.
1. Jesus was brought to a very high mountain, a place that is impossible to be located by us, but of sufficient height to see “all the
kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.” Satan offered to Jesus the short cut to crown. He can be the King by following Satan’s
plan or God’s plan.
2. The command is to worship God alone (Ex. 20:3).
F. Notice.
1. All temptations presented to Jesus are the same temptations presented to mankind at all times (Gen. 3:6; 1 John 2:15-17; Heb. 4:15).
2. Temptations were met by our Lord through the word of God (Ps 119:11).
3. Scriptures can be perverted to be used for selfish purposes (2 Pet. 3:16).

Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry (4:12-17)

A. Jesus started His ministry when John was put into prison because of rebuking Herod Antipas. Since John cannot preach anymore, Jesus
begun to preach with the same theme “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
B. The region of Galilee was the place where Jesus grew. The place was a mixture of Jews and Gentiles which was governed by Herod Antipas.
The awaited Messiah worked much in this region with miracles and authority, but they still rejected Him.
C. Matthew included this part because it was a fulfilled prophecy (Isa. 8:22-9:2).

Four Fisherman Called as Disciples (4:18-22)

A. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were the first four disciples of Jesus and the closest to Him. These four fishermen would be discussed with
more details soon in Mt. 10.
B. The expression “fishers of men” is a metaphor for winning souls to Jesus.

Jesus Heals a Great Multitude (4:23-25)

A. Teaching in the synagogues.
1. Synagogue is the place of worship for the Jewish congregation. Since not every Jews were near to the temple in
Jerusalem, they went here every Sabbath to meet their spiritual needs by devoting their time in studying the O.T.
2. Synagogues became the favorite place of Jesus and His apostles for public teaching on the Sabbath.
B. Healing all kinds of disease and sickness.
1. The miracles of Jesus served as His credentials that He was their Messiah.
2. Today there are no literal miracles. A person would be healed through God’s providential way and not through
miraculous way.