Matthew 4:2,Matthew 4:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:1-11

The temptation. This appears to have extended through the forty days of the sojourn of Jesus in the wilderness. Mark says, "He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan" ( Mark 1:13 ). The text describes only the acme at the close of the forty days. It is given as a specimen of the wiles of Satan, and forms an epitome of all the temptations he has ever contrived. From it we learn— I. THAT SATAN IS ARMED WITH FORMIDABLE POWERS . 1 . Probably he appeared in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:2

And when he had fasted … he was afterwards an hungred . He was so absorbed in prayer that it was only after his six weeks meditation that he felt the need of food. But though his humanity had been elevated and his spiritual sense quickened by this at the time almost unconscious fast, it left him physically prostrate and completely exposed to attack. "In certain morbid conditions, which involve a more or less entire abstinence from food, a period of six weeks generally brings about a crisis,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:2-4

The temptation of hunger. This was a serious encounter. One rebuff was not sufficient to drive off the tempter. The devil is most persevering; only persevering resistance can hope to overcome him. The successive temptations were varied in form. The tempter is wily and subtle. If he does not succeed in one way he will try another. Each temptation has its own features; yet there is a common character running through them all. In every case Jesus was urged to use his miraculous powers and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:2-4

The first ordeal-temptation recorded of Jesus. This reply of Jesus to the first temptation specially recorded as addressed to him by Satan is a quotation from Deuteronomy 8:1-20 . —part of the language spoken by the lips of Moses, but dictated by the Spirit of God for the admonishment of his people. The words occur in that impressive review which Moses took of the career of the people whom he had led like a flock through the wilderness, when now the time was approaching for those... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:2

Had fasted - Abstained from food.Forty days and forty nights - It has been questioned by some whether Christ abstained wholly from food, or only from the food to which he was accustomed. Luke says Luke 4:2 that he ate nothing. This settles the question. Mark says Mark 1:13 that angels came and ministered unto him. At first view this would seem to imply that he did eat during that time. But Mark does not mention the time when the angels performed this office of kindness, and we are at liberty to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 4:2

Matthew 4:2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights As Moses, the giver, and Elias, the restorer of the law, had done before: he was afterward a hungered That is, he was as sharply assaulted with hunger, as any man is at any time for want of food. Thus he was fitted for the ensuing trial of his trust in God. And, as an ancient writer observes, We are then especially to expect temptations, when we are alone, and when we are in straits and exigencies, from which we see no... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 4:1-11

17. Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)Immediately after being appointed to his messianic ministry, Jesus was tempted by Satan to use his messianic powers in the wrong way. (For the identification of the devil with Satan see Revelation 20:2.) Satan’s aim was to make Jesus act according to his own will instead of in obedience to his Father.Jesus had gone many weeks without eating and was obviously very hungry. Satan therefore used Jesus’ natural desire for food to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 4:2

forty. The number of probation ( App-10 ). nights. Joined thus with "days", are complete periods of twenty-four hours. See App-144 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 4:2

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterward hungered.Fasted forty days, etc. ... In this, Christ appears as "that prophet" like unto Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15). In fact, two Old Testament types of Christ carried out 40-day fasts, namely, Moses and Elijah (Exodus 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8).Afterward hungered ... Out of that hunger rose the first of Jesus' great temptations. More than an ordinary call of the appetite is seen in this. Christ was in the wilderness, sufficiently... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 4:2

Matthew 4:2. And when he had fasted forty days— So much greater was Jesus than Adam. Jesus, worn down by fasting and hunger, oppressed with want, and in a wild howling wilderness, overcame the devil; by whom Adam was overcome in full strength, and abounding with all things. It was usual for persons to prepare themselves for any sacred office by fasting, and prayers so intense, as to cause a neglect of common food. See Acts 13:3; Acts 14:23. The number forty is remarkably distinguished in... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:1-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:2-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 4:2-4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 4:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 4:2

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 4:1-11

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 4:2

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 4:2

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 4:2

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