Knowing The Word in Luke 4:2b-12

The Temptation of Jesus continued

4:2b And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time,6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

9 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’

11 and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

12 And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Comments

The activity of the Spirit shows it is God’s plan from the outset that Jesus would face the question about who he was to be as Messiah. Satan begins with Jesus’ hunger to raise a doubt about his sonship. When you are in a difficult place physically, have you questioned your relationship with God? The temptation tested Jesus to use his powers for the supply of his own legitimate, personal needs. (Where would this test help Jesus later in his ministry? The answer is on the cross.) Jesus answered the temptation by quoting Deut. 8:3 to show Satan that what does not agree with Scripture does not come from God. Jesus knows God’s voice, and he knows God’s scriptures.

Luke emphasizes that the devil flouted all the word’s pomp before Jesus, which he claimed for his own, and would give it to him only if he treated him as God. Imagine what the world under Jesus’ leadership would look like. This, however, would be the wrong direction for Jesus to take. Read what he says to Pontius Pilate in John 18:33-37:

So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Jesus’ kingdom is other worldly, and he will not fall for Satan’s scheme. Again, Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy (6:13), showing he understands the exclusivity of worshiping God only.

Perhaps impressed with Jesus’ knowledge of Scripture, Satan refers to Psalm 91:11-12 about angels protecting God’s holy one in his third and final temptation. When it comes to temptations, Satan can only suggest and not force. Only the tempted person can act. Satan quotes Scripture to assure Jesus he would be alright. However, he is twisting God’s word to suit his purposes. What would Jesus jumping off a high point of the temple accomplish? Jesus quotes again from Deuteronomy (6:16)—apparently, he had it memorized—that God should not be tested. On all three occasions, Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy. This section of Deuteronomy, 6:13-8:3, refers to the wilderness experiences of Israel and the instructions God gave them to do well.

Application

Have you ever seen someone twist God’s word for their own purposes? The only way around this is to know God’s word. In the wilderness, Jesus had no special resources except the word of God. It is exactly the same resource we have today when Satan tempts us!

Prayer

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 236.