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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: