THEN THE SPIRIT LED JESUS. Mark says the Spirit made him go. INTO THE DESERT. Tradition places the temptation in the deserted area between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, especially on the mountain called Quarantania. TO BE TEMPTED. _See_ Hebrews 2:18; Romans 8:3. The One who came to destroy Satan's kin... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER SPENDING FORTY DAYS AND NIGHTS. Moses and Elijah both went without food for the same length of time. It was a period of spiritual power, of meditation and prayer, and of preparation for his work. He did not need food while this was taking place. JESUS WAS HUNGRY. As this period ended, he felt... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DEVIL CAME TO HIM. He chose a time of physical weakness to press this temptation. It is uncertain whether Satan came in a personal form, or as the whisper of an evil spirit. IF YOU ARE GOD'S SON. A taunt. Satan is saying: "Show your power if you have any." But if Jesus had used his power to esca... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS ANSWERED. Jesus uses the "sword of the Spirit" [the Bible] as his weapon. He quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 LXX [read the context]. BUT ON EVERY WORD. God sustains on bread, but uses other means when it suits his purpose, He fed Israel on manna, sent by his word. We can trust his promise.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE HOLY CITY. We are not told how he took him. THE HIGHEST POINT. Probably the lofty porch overhanging the valley of Kedron. From the roof to the valley floor was 300 feet, Josephus tells us.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YOU ARE GOD'S SON. Again the taunt. Note the Devil can quote scripture too. Jesus had demonstrated his trust in God's word. The Devil asks him to go from the extreme of distrusting God, to recklessly testing God. This is seen again and again as the people ask for a sign from heaven. Perhaps Satan... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU MUST NOT PUT. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:16. No need for argument. What Satan asks is forbidden.... [ Continue Reading ]
A VERY HIGH MOUNTAIN. He spreads a panoramic view of the world. Not literally visible, but visualized by the eye of the mind.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THIS I WILL GIVE YOU. No disguise here. Satan claims to rule the world. Jesus came to be King, but the road he must follow involves a horrible price. Satan offers a short-cut. He will bring Israel to him, set up David's throne, make him the Messiah-ruler of the world if he will only give up this... [ Continue Reading ]
GO AWAY, SATAN! Jesus rebukes him. "Go away" implies disgust. Satan is called by name and commanded to leave. WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE ONLY HIM! Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:13. This forbids worship of any other object than Jehovah, whether idols, false gods, church leaders, saints or angel... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE DEVIL LEFT HIM. Luke adds: "for a while." When the Devil is opposed, he flees. ANGELS CAME. When he had opposed the Tempter and won the battle, heavenly messengers came to help with food and also with spiritual comfort.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN JESUS HEARD. Matthew makes no attempt to follow the order of events. He omits a year between the temptation and this verse. (1) Jesus had returned to Bethany east of the Jordan (John 1:15-37) where the first disciples were called; (2) The return to Galilee and the miracle at Cana (John 2:1-11);... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT... IN NAZARETH. They had rejected him (Luke 4:16-30), LIVED IN CAPERNAUM. A city of 30,000 on the northwest shore of the Lake of Galilee, It was an important city, had a synagogue, a Roman army garrison, and a customs station with Matthew as the tax officer. It was abandoned long ago. It was "Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
TO MAKE COME TRUE. Matthew's way of saying this fulfilled prophecy. This prophecy is found in Isaiah 9:1-2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of THE SEA. Lake Galilee is the "sea.".... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PEOPLE. Those of the area just mentioned. WHO LIVE IN DARKNESS. Religious ignorance. WILL SEE A GREAT LIGHT. Light means Truth. Christ is the light of the world! Jesus taught in the area described, and the prophecy came true.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THAT TIME. Probably from the time Jesus began to live in Capernaum. JESUS BEGAN TO PREACH. This begins his Galilean ministry. TURN AWAY FROM YOUR SINS. What Jesus now preaches is identical to John's message (Matthew 3:2). He commands them to turn from sin to God, because the Kingdom is near. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
AS JESUS WALKED. The sea or lake of Galilee, named for the province of Galilee on its western side. Also called Lake Gennesaret; About thirteen miles long and six miles wide. The Jordan river runs through it and on into the Dead Sea. Jesus lived, taught, and did most of his miracles on its borders.... [ Continue Reading ]
COME WITH ME. They had continued to fish. Now they are formally called to devote all their time to a new work. They are to become apostles special messengers of Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
At ONCE. They did not question his word of command. They obeyed at once!... [ Continue Reading ]
TWO OTHER BROTHERS. Probably all Jesus called to be apostles were already his disciples (_see_ John 1:29-51). This was a formal call to take up the "obligation" of Christ. James and John were also fishermen. Zebedee was their father, Salome their mother. Thought to be cousins of Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
AT ONCE. They had received a higher call. They left their father and followed.... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS WENT ALL OVER GALILEE. These next three verses condense the work and teaching of a long period, and introduce the detailed account given in the following Chapter s. TEACHING. The Jews met every Sabbath [Saturday] in their synagogues for worship. This gave Jesus a ready-made audience. It was th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NEWS. What he was doing attracted attention. Syria was the Roman province north and east of Palestine, and may have included the latter at this time. Antioch and Damascus were in this province [_see map_]. PEOPLE WITH DEMONS. Demons are evil spirits with the ability to hurt people. They are serv... [ Continue Reading ]
GREAT CROWDS. Attracted by his teaching and his miracles. [_see map_ for Galilee and the Ten Towns.] Jesus was: (1) active; (2) he went to the people; (3) he went where the busiest people were; (4) he went where worshipping people were; (5) he went where needy people were.... [ Continue Reading ]