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.

Jesus Is Tempted in the Wilderness

1
Then Yeshua was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ​
2
When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. ​
3
The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4
But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” ​
5
Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
6
and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’” ​
7
Yeshua said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’” ​
8
Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.
9
He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”
10
Then Yeshua said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’” ​
11
Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him. ​

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee

12
Now when Yeshua heard that Yochanan was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee. ​
13
Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, ​
14
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
15
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
16
the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.” ​
17
From that time, Yeshua began to proclaim, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” ​

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18
Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. ​
19
He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.” ​
20
They immediately left their nets and followed him.
21
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, Jacob the son of Zebedee, and Yochanan his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them.
22
They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him. ​

Jesus’ Ministry of Teaching and Healing

23
Yeshua went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. ​
24
The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. ​
25
Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options