Category Archives: Bible

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The Beginnings Of Ministry in Matthew 4

A Look At Matthew 4:12-22

After Satan leaves Jesus, Matthew turns to the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry. In this passage, we see his journey to Galilee, and the calling of his first disciples.

The Beginnings Of Ministry in Matthew 4

Matthew 4:12 tells us that Jesus heads to the region of Galilee. The reason for this destination is that his cousin, John the Baptist, had been thrown into prison. This likely weighed heavily on Jesus’ heart for two reasons, first, they were related, and second, John was the forerunner of Jesus, preparing the way for his ministry.

If we only had the Synoptic Gospels — Matthew, Mark and Luke — we would know very little about this event, and in fact, this entire period of time. The Synoptics skip a whole year of Jesus’ life and ministry, moving from the temptations to this trip to Galilee. Thankfully, we have John’s account to fill in some of the blanks. He covers this period in John 1:19-3:36. From the lack of information in the Synoptic three, we can assume that John may have been in prison for a year or more, and that Jesus’ ministry begins in earnest after his death.

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The Third Temptation Of Jesus In Matthew

A Look At Matthew 4:8-11

Three times Satan tries to tempt Jesus in Matthew 4. And three times Jesus remains steadfast in his mission and refuses to give in to these temptations. After the third attempt, Satan gives for the the time being.

The Third Temptation Of Jesus In Matthew

For the third temptation that Matthew describes, Satan takes Jesus to a very high mountain. Just where this may have been is unclear, but the likelihood of it being in the vicinity of Israel is high, since that’s the area of greatest immediate impact by the physical life of Jesus. However, since Jesus came to save the whole world, this mountaintop experience could have been literally anywhere on earth.

Wherever it may have been, the devil displays before Jesus a panorama of all the kingdoms of this world with their glory. It may be worth noting that this could not be a literal statement, because even from the highest of mountains, one cannot see “all” of the earth. But the offer Satan is making uses the vista as a representative of the complete world.

But is this even an offer that Satan could make? One one hand, the answer is no. God is in control, and he owns everything. That is clear throughout Scripture. However, for a time, Satan has usurped God’s authority and has possession of the world to some degree. There are several passages that confirm Satan’s temporary control:

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The Second Temptation Of Jesus In Matthew

A Look At Matthew 4:5-7

When Satan attempts his second temptation of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 4, he throws Scripture into the mix, twisting it to say something different that what it really says. But Jesus sees right through it and stands firm.

The Second Temptation Of Jesus In Matthew

After the failure of the first temptation, which played upon Jesus hunger, Matthew tells us that the devil takes him into Jerusalem, to the temple. This was most likely a visionary experience, and not a literal move to a new location, because the scene ends with Jesus still apparently in the wilderness.

Just what part of the temple is meant by “pinnacle” is also uncertain. Different scholars and commentators have suggested three different alternatives. First is the apex of the temple itself. A second option could have been the top of Solomon’s porch. And finally, a third possibility was at the top of Herod’s royal portico. This third option is probably the most likely. It was found at the southeast corner of the temple area, and provided a broad view of the valley of Kidron. At the time of Jesus, it was — and still is — the highest part of the temple.

Regardless of which option is correct, the temple itself represented the presence of God Himself, and was a place where many assumed that His protection was certain. This is probably why Satan quoted Psalm 91, which speaks of God protection and his willingness to rescue his people. Satan suggests that Jesus test this protection by forcing God’s hand, making Him demonstrate his power and faithfulness.

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The First Temptation Of Jesus In Matthew

A Look At Matthew 4:3-4

Three times, Matthew describes Satan’s attempts to place a stumbling block in front of Jesus by tempting him to short circuit his purpose in coming to earth. And three times, Jesus refuses to fall. The first temptation is centered on bread.

The First Temptation - Matthew 4:3-4

Jesus has been fasting for forty days. He has disappeared into the wilderness to spend time with the Father in preparation for the coming three years of ministry. Forty days without food is a long time.

And right there, in the weakness that comes with extreme hunger, Satan attacks. He always attacks at our weakest moments, and in our weakest areas. He comes, and he suggests to Jesus that force would be a better option to save the world, leaving any free will in the matter out of the equation. However, Jesus knew that the only way to achieve salvation would come through the individual’s decision to choose for himself! Only the change of a person’s heart could accomplish this mission. Force could never be effective.

But Satan tries anyway.

The first temptation Matthew describes is one that challenges Jesus’ faith, and strikes at the weakness brought about by his hunger. Satan says, “If You are the Son of God…” God had already said that Jesus was His Son (Matthew 3:17), that question has already been settled. Yet the little word “if” provides a seed of doubt about God’s goodness. The goal of this first temptation is distrust. It’s designed to cast doubt into the mind of Jesus.

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The Temptation Of Jesus In Matthew

Setting The Stage - Matthew 4:1-11

Before Jesus begins his three years of ministry in earnest, he spends some time in the wilderness. While there, Satan endeavors to tempt Jesus away from his mission. There are three different temptations described in Matthew, and we will look at each on in turn. But first, we need to set the stage.

The Temptation of Jesus in Matthew

After the baptism of Jesus, he departs to an isolated part of the wilderness, being led by the spirit to do so. Although Matthew doesn’t tell us this, this was likely a period of intense prayer and communion with the Father, in preparation for the ministry ahead. During this period of forty days, he fasted, which furthers the likelihood that this was time of spiritual preparation.

There are several elements worth examining as we look at these three temptations:

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The Baptism Of Jesus: The Matthew Account

A Look At Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew concludes chapter three with an account of the baptism of Jesus. This is a significant event that marks the beginning of his ministry, and is punctuated with the voice of God declaring himself pleased.

Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew has not mentioned Jesus since Joseph moved the family to Nazareth at the end of chapter two. Most of this third chapter has been focused on John the Baptist and his ministry preparing the way for Jesus to come. Luke gives a snapshot of the life of Jesus, when he was twelve years old, when he amazed the religious leaders with his wisdom, in Luke 2:41-52.

Now, John’s ministry wanes as Jesus begins the public part of his life, ultimately leading to the cross. During the time preceding this event, Jesus has worked with his earthly father, Joseph, as a carpenter in Nazareth. From that location, he probably had to walk seventy or eighty miles to the Jordan River to be baptized.

The baptism of Jesus is not an action that he performed as a result of John’s preaching. As far as we know, Jesus never heard John preach. No, this is an action prompted by the Father, which Jesus obeyed willingly.

John, however, was not as willing to perform this baptism, and tried to prevent it (verse 14). This suggests that John knew exactly who Jesus was, and realized that he should be the one being baptized instead.

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Pharisees And Sadducees in Matthew 3

Matthew 3:7-12

After the introduction of John the Baptist, Matthew turns his attention to the opposition, the Pharisees and Sadducees. These were two of the religious/political parties in Israel, and were prominent in the Sanhedrin, the ruling Council of the Jewish people.

Pharisees and Sadducees

First, it’s worth taking a moment to understand just who the Pharisees and Sadducees were. Pharisees were a sect of the Jews founded in the days of Jonathan the high priest, somewhere around 159-144 BC. The word “Pharisee” means “the separate.” Originally, they were patriots and reformers. Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, and in an afterlife that contained rewards and punishments. The believed in angels and spirits. In the days of Herod, there were an estimated number of around 6,000 Pharisees.

By the time of Jesus’ life, they had degenerated into a party of formalists, who paid more attention to outward forms and expressions than to the inner life. They were scrupulous in their observation of religious ceremonies, and were very orthodox. But their weakness was that they were full of spiritual pride.

The Pharisees rival in the Council were the Sadducees. Their name probably comes from their founder, Zadok, who were originally called Zadokites. This word probably eventually transitioned to Sadducees. They denied everything the Pharisees held to: the resurrection, rewards or punishments in the future life, and the reality of angels and spirits. Most Sadducees were wealthy, and they held the high priesthood. With more of a disposition for the pagans nations around Israel, the Sadducees held more favor with Rome. Anything spiritual was simply a facade, because they were filled with unbelief.