Matthew 4

  Jesus, by his baptism, and by being led by the Spirit into the wilderness, fulfills the typology of the Day of Atonement  (see Lev.16:4, 20-22).  I believe this Atonement season he began his ministry with his baptism.  If so, it lasted three and a half years, ending with his crucifixion at Passover and Unleavened Bread.  Jesus fulfills the typology of all the holy convocations of Israel.

     4:1.  The Spirit hunts out the devil, not the other way around.  Cf. 1 John 3:5-10, esp. v. 8, Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil.  God cannot be tempted (Ja.1:13), for he cannot deny himself.

     4:2 and Luke 4:2 both suggest Jesus did not hunger until after the fast.  (Cf. Moses, Ex.34:28; and Elijah, 1 Kings 19:8).

     4:3,6.  “If you are… .”  The temptation is to use his power as God for his own advantage as a man.  But the Son of Man must live as a man.  He must not grasp divine authority as Adam tried to do, but live in obedience under it.

     4:4.  Cf. John 4:32-34.

     4:4-11.  Jesus answers each temptation with a proper use of the Law of Moses, Dt. 8:3;  Dt. 6:16;  and Dt. 6:13; 10:20.

     Satan also uses Scripture.  Note especially the context of his choice of Ps. 91:11-12 (v.6).  Ps. 91:13 reads,  “You will tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.”  Both creatures are used to symbolize Satan!  Jesus does not mock Satan with this, but instead answers him with the Law.

     4:10.  The order of temptations two and three are reversed in Luke 4.  Luke does not specify order.  And because of Jesus’ command for Satan to be gone in v.10, this must be the last temptation (of this encounter).

     4:14-16  (Is. 9:1-2).  See note and references at Mt. 2:23 as to the low esteem given those from this area.  “Galilee of the Gentiles.”

     4:17.  Jesus’ message exactly that of John, Mt. 3:2.

     4:18.  These men knew Jesus well by this time (John 1:35ff.).

     4:19.  See Jer. 16:16.