The Bible — World English Bible

Matthew 4

In brief

After his baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the desert, where he fasts forty days and resists three temptations from the devil by leaning on Scripture. He then withdraws to Galilee, to Capernaum, where Isaiah's word is fulfilled about the people sitting in darkness who see a great light. He begins to preach repentance and the nearness of the kingdom, calls Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow him, then teaches, heals and draws crowds from all the region.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-11Jesus tempted in the desert: three answers from Scripture
  2. v. 12-17In Galilee: great light and the beginning of preaching
  3. v. 18-22The call of the first disciples: 'Follow me'
  4. v. 23-25Teaching, announcing and healing: crowds follow Jesus

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.’ ”

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, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

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

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, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ ”

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, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,

16the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”

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 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.

Key verses

Verse 3-4
The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’ ”

The first temptation targets hunger and identity: 'If you are the Son of God.' Jesus answers from Deuteronomy 8 that man does not live by bread alone but by every word from God's mouth. The answer refuses a shortcut and chooses trust.

Verse 7
Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’ ”

At the height of his weakness, Jesus refuses to test the Lord his God. Satan offers a sign, but Jesus does not need to prove himself. The answer rejects spectacle and chooses faith.

Verse 10
Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ ”

Satan offers all the kingdoms of the world, but Jesus refuses to worship him. He cites the commandment to worship the Lord alone and serve him. Every temptation is answered by Scripture and trust in God's way.

Verse 16-17
the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.” From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

Light rises on those sitting in darkness, then Jesus begins to preach: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

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

Jesus calls fishermen to follow him and promises to make them fishers of men. The call comes before the skill: you follow first, and are trained afterward.

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Frequently asked questions about Matthew 4

Why is Jesus tempted in the wilderness?

The temptation follows his baptism and the declaration that he is the beloved Son. Jesus is tested as the Son, in the places where Israel failed in the wilderness, and he remains faithful. The episode shows that he knows our weakness and wins by trusting the word of God.

What does Jesus answer to each of the three temptations?

He cites the book of Deuteronomy each time. To hunger: man will not live by bread alone. To the challenge of the temple: you shall not put the Lord your God to the test. To the offer of kingdoms: you will worship the Lord your God and serve him alone. Each answer refuses a shortcut and chooses trust.

What does 'fishers of men' mean?

Jesus speaks to fishermen by trade and uses their calling as an image. They are called to gather people for the kingdom, to his school and under his guidance. The promise is 'I will make you fishers of men': it is Jesus who forms and sends, not prior skill.

Why does Jesus settle in Capernaum?

Matthew sees here the fulfillment of Isaiah 9: the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, despised and dark, sees a great light. Jesus begins his mission in an unglamorous place, which announces that the kingdom first addresses those who need it most.

Articles quoting Matthew 4

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World English Bible translation — public domain.