Temptation of Jesus Christ

The wilderness temptations

Mark 1:13 ESV

And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

Tempted to turn stones into bread

Matthew 4:2–3 ESV

And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

Tempted to abuse miraculous power

Matthew 4:5–6 ESV

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”

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Tempted by the offer of an easy route to power

Matthew 4:8–9 ESV

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Tempted to doubt he was God’s Son

Matthew 4:3 ESV

And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

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Temptation continued throughout Jesus Christ’s life

Trials can include temptations.

Opponents tempted Jesus Christ with trick questions

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Jesus Christ tempted to sidestep the cross

Matthew 16:21–23 ESV

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

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Jesus Christ steadfastly resisted temptation

Jesus Christ resisted temptation by trusting God’s word

Matthew 4:4 ESV

But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

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Matthew 4:7 ESV

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

Matthew 4:10 ESV

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ”

Jesus Christ resisted temptation by obeying his Father

Hebrews 5:7–8 ESV

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

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Results of Jesus Christ’s temptations

Satan left Jesus Christ alone

Matthew 4:11 ESV

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Jesus Christ remained sinless

Refers to Jesus Christ as high priest and as sacrificial lamb.

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Jesus Christ helps those who are being tempted

Hebrews 2:18 ESV

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

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Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.