The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:1
The leadings of the Spirit. Whether we are to understand an impulse from Christ's own spirit, or a direction of the Divine indwelling Spirit, need not be disputed, because the two may be regarded as included, and the relation of the one to the other may be shown. The analogy of such verses as Ezekiel 8:3 ; Acts 8:39 ; Revelation 1:10 suggests a state of ecstasy. As Bushnell expresses it, "The fact is signified that the Spirit, coming here upon him in the full revelation of his call,... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:1
The preliminaries of the ordeal temptations of Jesus Christ. The baptism of water, to which Jesus Christ had submitted in obedience to the human nature which he had assumed, and to the conditions under which he had assumed it, is now succeeded by the more significant, far more intrinsic, inward baptism of temptation. Let us here consider— I. WHAT THIS BAPTISM OF TEMPTATION REALLY MEANS AND AMOUNTS TO . It means a testing , practical investigation into The... read more