Matthew 4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:8-10

The third ordeal-temptation of Jesus. The first temptation was aimed at Jesus in the matter of the appetite of the body. The second in that of the audacious ambition of a daring mind, whose pride of self and of thought would court every presumption whatsoever. The third is an immediate assault on the properly spiritual nature of man, which involves first of all conception of duty, of religion, and of its grandest presentation in commandment the first, for ever and ever the first ! ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:9

All these things will I give thee ( ταῦτά σοι πάντα δώσω ). The devil puts "these things" and "thee" in the sharpest contrast. In Luke the devil says, "To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it [ i.e. the authority] hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it;" i.e. there the devil speaks of giving, not actual possession of the things themselves (Matthew), but the authority that this implied, "and the glory of them." According to St.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:10

Get thee hence, Satan . "Avaunt, Satan" (Rheims). Christ does not address him.directly till this climax. The two previous temptations were, comparatively speaking, ordinary and limited. This temptation calls out a passionate utterance of a personality stirred, because touched, in its depths. Only once again do we find our Lord so moved, in Matthew 16:23 (the "Western" and "Syrian" addition here of ὀπίσω μου from that passage emphasizes the feeling common to the two cases), when a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:11

The devil leaveth him ; Luke, "departed from him for a season." For though there are crises of temptation, the devil never finally gives up his attack while the object of it is still on earth. May not even direct assaults be included in the remarkable epitome of Messianic life found in Luke 22:28 ? And, behold, angels came and ministered unto him . Kept back before both by the presence of the evil one, and by the need for the God-Man to contend alone, they now came up to him and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:11

The rest from temptation. Remark on these representations of Scripture, and remark on them as the representations of Scripture , that— I. THE THRICE - DENIED SATAN IS DAUNTED , AND LEAVES OFF AWHILE AT LEAST HIS TEMPTING . Contrast this with the thrice-denied Jesus ( Luke 22:61 ), not then daunted, but with an intense love recalling Peter by a look. II. THE NEED OF CHRIST WAS A REAL NEED . The "ministry" given now to him was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12

Now when Jesus had heard . If we had the synoptic Gospels alone, we should have supposed that the Baptist was imprisoned immediately after the end of our Lord's temptation (cf. this verse with Luke 4:14 ); but St. John ( John 3:24 ) expressly states that he had not been cast into prison when the events recorded in Jn 1:43-3:23 took place. "For a time Christ and the Baptist worked side by side, preaching ' repentance' ( Mark 1:15 [also Matthew 4:17 ]) and baptizing [ John 3:22 ].... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12

Jesus as John's successor. The events in our Lord's life immediately following upon his temptation are exceedingly difficult to trace. There seems to have been a first ministry in Judaea, but the length of it is much disputed. Then a ministry in Galilee, which seems to have been begun before the news came of John's imprisonment. There is, therefore, a gap between verses 11 and 12 of this chapter. Matthew's general statements can be filled in from the more precise details of the other... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12-16

JESUS ' WITHDRAWAL INTO GALILEE . According to some commentators, a new section begins here; but probably these verses are still preliminary. Our Lord's activity does not begin till Matthew 4:17 . But now he withdraws to Galilee, settling in Capernaum, thus fulfilling prophecy. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12-17

Light in darkness. The end of John's work was the signal for the commencement of Christ's. Thus our Lord would appear to some as the successor of the Baptist. To a nearer view it seems that the completion of the preparation makes it fitting that the full advent of the kingdom should be manifested. I. CHRIST COMES TO PEOPLE SITTING IN DARKNESS . Here is the prophet's image—a land of gloom, its inhabitants seated disconsolately and helplessly, not having enough light to arise... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12-17

Light in darkness. The public work of Christ followed upon his temptation. "No man can be prepared for any deep vital work in the world who has not come through the devil's school" (Dr. Parker). Let no truth-seeker be dispirited by the severity of his temptations. Consider here— I. THE MELANCHOLY CONDITION OF THE CHRISTLESS . 1 . They sit in darkness. 2 . Their darkness is the " shadow of death. " II. THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST AS A SAVIOUR . ... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:8-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:12-17

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