The Temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
The Temptation of Jesus: Luke 4:1-13
The temptation of Jesus is a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Luke, revealing his obedience to God and his victory over the devil. This passage teaches us Jesus’ reliance on scripture and his unwavering trust in God, setting the tone for his ministry. The Lord offers believers a powerful example of how to face challenges.
As we explore these verses, we’ll see how this wilderness encounter tests Jesus’ identity and foreshadows his ultimate triumph on the cross.
Jesus goes into the wilderness not to teach us how to resist temptation, but to show us that we are powerless before temptation and that we need the power of God to overcome it.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
The Spirit Leads Jesus into the Wilderness (Luke 4:1-2)
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.”
The scene opens with Jesus, freshly baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, being led into the wilderness. This moment is significant—it wasn’t by accident or coincidence. Jesus is deliberately led by the Spirit to a place of solitude, testing, and preparation. Throughout scripture, the wilderness represents a place of trial and refinement. For Israel, it was the setting for forty years of wandering, and for Jesus, it becomes a forty-day ordeal where his faith and identity are tested.
Luke emphasizes that Jesus is “full of the Holy Spirit.” This phrase underscores that Jesus is not acting on his own; he is empowered and guided by God. His fasting further reveals his reliance on the Father, standing in contrast to the self-reliance the devil will seek to exploit. Physically, Jesus is at his weakest after forty days without food, yet spiritually, he is at his strongest, grounded in his relationship with God.
Fasting for forty days takes a severe toll on the human body, pushing it to the edge of survival. Initially, the body uses its energy reserves, but as these are depleted, it begins breaking down muscle tissue to sustain itself. This leads to muscle wasting, extreme weakness, and even a weakened heart. By the end of such a fast, Jesus would have been physically drained, with severe fatigue, dizziness, and a deep sense of frailty.
This setup not only highlights the gravity of what follows but also foreshadows the nature of Jesus’ ministry—one that is deeply Spirit-led and rooted in obedience to the Father. The devil’s temptations will challenge Jesus to act outside of God’s will, but this narrative will make clear that Jesus is unwavering in his mission.
The first temptation was an attempt to make Jesus misuse His divine power for His own benefit, to satisfy His hunger. But Jesus’ response reminds us that human life is not sustained merely by physical bread but by the Word of God. In His refusal, Jesus affirms that His relationship with the Father and His obedience to God’s will are more important than material needs.
John Stott, The Cross of Christ
The First Temptation: Turning Stones to Bread (Luke 4:3-4)
“The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.”’”
The devil’s first temptation targets Jesus’ physical hunger, a practical need after forty days of fasting. On the surface, it might seem like a reasonable suggestion—after all, who wouldn’t want to alleviate their hunger? But this is more than a challenge to satisfy his appetite; it’s a direct attack on Jesus’ identity and trust in God. The phrase “If you are the Son of God” isn’t an acknowledgment but a taunt, daring Jesus to prove his divine authority by using his power for personal gain.
This is a temptation for us - prove who you are, prove your standing, prove that you have significance.
Jesus’ response is swift and scriptural. By quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, he draws from Israel’s wilderness experience, where God provided manna to teach them dependence on him. Jesus affirms that life is sustained by more than physical food; true sustenance comes from every word of God. In this moment, Jesus demonstrates trust in the Father’s provision, rejecting the devil’s ploy to prioritize physical needs over spiritual obedience.
For us, this first temptation serves as a reminder that our immediate desires—while often pressing—must be measured against God’s will. Jesus shows that obedience and trust in God outweigh even the most urgent physical needs.
The second temptation was an appeal to Jesus to test God, to force His Father to act in a dramatic display of power. Jesus refuses to put God to the test, showing that true faith does not demand signs or miraculous proofs. His trust in God is not based on spectacle but on His confidence in the Father’s will and care.
N.T. Wright, Simply Jesus
The Second Temptation: Authority and Power (Luke 4:5-8)
“Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”’”
The devil’s second temptation shifts from physical needs to the allure of power and authority. In an instant, Jesus is shown the splendor of the world’s kingdoms, and the devil offers him control over them—on one condition: that Jesus worships him. While the devil’s claim to possess this authority is questionable, the temptation itself is real. Jesus has come to establish God’s kingdom, and the offer presents an enticing shortcut, bypassing the suffering of the cross.
However, Jesus sees through the devil’s deception. His mission is not about seizing worldly power but about establishing a kingdom that reflects God’s righteousness. By quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, Jesus reaffirms his allegiance to God alone. Worship and service are reserved for the Creator, not a usurper like the devil.
This moment emphasizes that true authority comes from submission to God. For believers, it serves as a warning against compromising our values for power or influence. Jesus’ refusal to take a shortcut reminds us that God’s plans, though often requiring patience and sacrifice, are far better than any worldly offer.
This temptation and Jesus' response should automatically shutdown any talk of Christian Nationalism. The kingdom of God is about hearts not about human kingdoms.
The temptation is also, "Imagine the good I could do if I had all that power and authority."
The tempter offers Jesus access and influence immediately, but Jesus' rule would have crumbled when those Empires and kingdoms fell. And today? He rules in the hearts of billions of people in almost every environ imaginable! Jesus did the right thing in the right way and God has blessed his work.
The third temptation was a direct challenge to Jesus’ mission and the nature of His kingship. Satan offers Jesus the kingdoms of the world, but Jesus refuses, recognizing that true authority comes only through obedience to God’s will, not through compromise or worldly power. Jesus’ rejection of this temptation affirms that His kingdom is not of this world, and His reign is not based on domination but on service and sacrifice.
Tim Keller, King’s Cross: The Story of the Life of Jesus
The Third Temptation: Testing God’s Protection (Luke 4:9-12)
“Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’”
In the third and final temptation, the devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem. This setting is strategic. As a highly visible and sacred location, the temple symbolizes God’s presence with his people. The devil uses scripture—Psalm 91:11-12—to suggest that Jesus prove his divine sonship by leaping and trusting God to rescue him.
This temptation is especially insidious because it manipulates God’s word, twisting it to justify reckless behavior. The devil seeks to provoke Jesus into testing God’s protection, blurring the line between faith and presumption. Yet, Jesus doesn’t fall for the trap. He responds with Deuteronomy 6:16, rejecting the idea of testing God. True faith doesn’t demand signs or force God’s hand; it trusts in his timing and provision.
For modern readers, this temptation is a reminder to handle scripture carefully and avoid twisting it for selfish purposes. It also calls us to trust in God without demanding proof of his care. Jesus’ response exemplifies the balance between confidence in God’s promises and humility before his sovereignty.
The Devil Departs (Luke 4:13)
“When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.”
The narrative concludes with the devil’s retreat, but Luke makes it clear that this is not the end of the conflict. The phrase “until an opportune time” hints at future battles, most notably the opposition Jesus will face throughout his ministry and ultimately on the cross. This moment in the wilderness is a victory, but it’s only the beginning of Jesus’ confrontation with the malignant forces.
Jesus’ triumph here foreshadows the ultimate victory he will achieve through his death and resurrection. His obedience in the wilderness mirrors the obedience he will demonstrate at Calvary, where he submits fully to the Father’s will for the sake of humanity.
Luke 4’s Meaning Today
The temptation of Jesus offers rich lessons for believers. I
It highlights the power and importance of scripture. Each time Jesus is tempted, he responds with God’s word, showing us that a deep knowledge of scripture equips us to face trials with confidence. His example encourages us to not only read the Bible but to internalize it. Doing so makes it a source of strength in moments of weakness.
Second, this passage emphasizes trust in God. Whether we’re facing physical needs, the allure of power, or the challenge to prove our faith, we’re called to rely on God’s provision and plan. Jesus’ refusal to take shortcuts or test God’s promises reminds us that faith involves patience and surrender.
The story reinforces Jesus’ identity as the faithful Son of God. Where Israel failed in the wilderness, Jesus succeeded, demonstrating perfect obedience and fulfilling his role as the Messiah. His victory here points to the ultimate victory he will achieve for us, defeating sin and death through the cross and the resurrection!
For those who follow Jesus, this passage is both a source of inspiration and a challenge. It calls us to stand firm in our identity as children of God, to trust in God's word, and to resist the temptations that seek to pull us away from his purpose.
Sources
1. Darrell L. Bock, Luke (NIV Application Commentary), pp. 120-135.
2. Joel B. Green, The Gospel of Luke (New International Commentary), pp. 191-201.
