Studies In Luke: The Temptation of Jesus (4:1-12)
Studies in Luke—The Temptation of Jesus—4:1-12
- Luke has shown the Holy Spirit’s role in identifying Jesus
- In 3:23-38, Luke gives Jesus’ genealogy through Mary
- After Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit leads him “in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil” (4:1,2)
- Apparently Jesus was tempted during those forty days, how-ever, only the temptations at the end of the forty days are re-corded
- Luke, as well as Matthew, records three of the temptations
- “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread” (4:3)
- “To you I will give all this authority and their glory,… If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours” (4:6,7)
- “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here” (4:10,11)
- This follows the Father’s statement, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (3:22) – Satan is putting this claim to the test
- All three of Jesus’ responses quote from Deut. 6 & 8—Observations Moses made concerning Israel’s wilderness wanderings
- The nature of the temptations—Each temptation, if succumbed to, would question the sufficiency of God to care for our needs
- Notice Satan’s use of Scripture—quoted accurately, but out of context
- Notice with each temptation, Jesus pointed to the all-sufficiency of God to care for Him and to accomplish His will
- Let us honor God by trusting Him in every area of life
