Matthew4

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he fasted forty days and was tempted by the devil, overcoming each trial by quoting scripture. Following John's imprisonment, Jesus began his public ministry in Galilee, preaching repentance and the kingdom of heaven. He called his first disciples, Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, to become "fishers of men." Jesus then traveled throughout Galilee, teaching, preaching the gospel, and healing all manner of sickness and disease, drawing large multitudes.
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Jesus Is Tempted in the Wilderness

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Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ​
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After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. ​
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The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
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But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ​
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Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple.
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“If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” ​
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Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” ​
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Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
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“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”
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“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” ​
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Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him. ​

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

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When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee. ​
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Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, ​
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to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
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“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
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the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” ​
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From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” ​

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

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As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ​
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“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” ​
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And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
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Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,
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and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him. ​

Jesus’ Ministry of Teaching and Healing

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Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. ​
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News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them. ​
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The large crowds that followed Him came from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

Study Notes for Matthew 4

Verse 1

The temptation narrative immediately follows Jesus’ baptism, signifying the necessary preparation for his public ministry. Jesus is led by the Spirit, demonstrating his reliance on God even in the face of trial.

Verse 2

The forty days and nights echo the testing of Israel in the wilderness (Deut. 8:2) and Moses’ time on Sinai, establishing Jesus as the faithful representative who succeeds where Israel failed.

Verse 4

Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3. This response prioritizes spiritual sustenance through God’s word over immediate physical satisfaction, establishing the authority of Scripture over fleshly needs.

Verse 6

The devil attempts to manipulate Scripture (Psalm 91:11-12) to prompt a display of messianic power, challenging Jesus to test God's promise of protection.

Verse 7

Jesus counters the misapplication of Scripture by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, affirming that God should not be tested or challenged unnecessarily through acts of presumption.

Verse 10

Jesus definitively rejects the temptation of idolatry and compromise by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, asserting that divine authority and worship belong to God alone.

Verse 11

The ministry of the angels confirms Jesus' victory over Satan and marks the end of his period of testing, preparing him for the beginning of his public ministry.

Verse 12

John the Baptist’s arrest serves as the transitional marker for Jesus' shift in location and action, signaling that the forerunner’s work is complete and the Messiah’s work is beginning.

Verse 13

Jesus makes Capernaum his home base, strategically positioning himself in a major commercial center on the Sea of Galilee, central to northern Israel.

Verse 16

Matthew emphasizes the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:1-2, highlighting that the Messiah's light is intended specifically for the marginalized and mixed region of Galilee, often called 'Galilee of the Gentiles.'

Verse 17

This summarizes the central message of Jesus’ early preaching. It echoes John the Baptist’s call but emphasizes the imminence of God’s sovereign rule ('the kingdom of heaven is at hand').

Verse 18

Jesus initiates the call, demonstrating his divine authority. The fact that the first disciples were working indicates they were called out of their normal, established livelihoods.

Verse 19

The metaphor 'fishers of men' redefines their vocation, moving them from catching literal fish to gathering people into the community of the kingdom through the gospel.

Verse 22

The immediate abandonment of their nets, boat, and even their father underscores the radical and priority-setting commitment required by Jesus' call to discipleship.

Verse 23

This verse provides a concise summary that structures the subsequent narrative of Jesus' ministry, emphasizing three key components: Teaching (in synagogues), Preaching (the gospel of the kingdom), and Healing (demonstrating the kingdom’s power).

Verse 24

The mention of Syria indicates that Jesus’ fame quickly spread beyond Jewish territories, attracting widespread attention due to the miraculous nature of his healing ministry.

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