Matthew 4:1

Then was Jesus

The temptation of Christ, the "last Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45) is best understood when contrasted with that of the "first man Adam." Adam was tempted in his place of lord of creation, a lordship with but one reservation, the knowledge of good and evil; (Genesis 1:26); (Genesis 2:16). Through the woman he was tempted to add that also to his dominion. Falling, he lost all. But Christ had taken the place of a lowly Servant, acting only from and in obedience to the Father. (Philippians 2:5); (John 5:19); (John 6:57); (John 8:28); (John 8:54).

( See Scofield) - (Isaiah 41:8).

that He might redeem a fallen race and a creation under the curse; (Genesis 3:17); (Romans 8:19). Satan's one object in the threefold temptation was to induce Christ to act from Himself, in independency of His Father. The first two temptations were a challenge to Christ from the god of this world to prove Himself indeed the Son of God (Matthew 4:3). The third was the offer of the usurping prince of this world to divest himself of that which rightfully belonged to Christ as Son of man and Son of David, on the condition that He accept the sceptre on Satan's world-principles.

Compare (John 18:36).

( See Scofield) - (Revelation 13:8).

Christ defeated Satan by a means open to His humblest follower, the intelligent use of the word of God (Matthew 4:4). In his second temptation Satan also used Scripture, but a promise available only to one in the path of obedience. The scene give emphasis to the vital importance of "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).