John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 4:1-25
The Temptation1-11. The temptation (Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1). The narrative, which can only have come from our Lord’s own lips, describes an actual historical fact, the great temptation which He underwent at the very beginning of His ministry. He was tempted at other times (Luke 4:13), perhaps at all times (Hebrews 2:18), during His earthly life, but the two great seasons of trial were now, and immediately before the Passion: Luke 22:42; Matthew 26:39. Our Lord records His experience in symbolical... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 4:14-16
Jesus’ move to Capernaum fulfilled Isaiah 9:1, part of a section of Isaiah’s prophecy that describes Immanuel’s coming. Matthew’s quotation of this passage was a free one. Its point was that light had dawned in a dark part of Palestine. By New Testament times the old tribal divisions had little actual relevance. [Note: France, The Gospel . . ., p. 141.] When Isaiah prophesied, Galilee was under the oppressive threat of the Assyrians. He predicted that Messiah would liberate the people living... read more