Luke 4:4

KJV

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} him {G4314}{G846}, saying {G3004}, It is written {G1125}, That {G3754} man {G444} shall {G2198} not {G3756} live {G2198} by {G1909} bread {G740} alone {G3441}, but {G235} by {G1909} every {G3956} word {G4487} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua answered him, "The Tanakh says, `Man does not live on bread alone.'"

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”

American Standard Version

And Jesus answered unto him, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 4:4, Jesus powerfully responds to the devil's first temptation in the wilderness by quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, asserting that true human life and sustenance are not derived solely from physical provisions like bread, but fundamentally from every utterance and command that proceeds from God. This declaration underscores the supremacy of spiritual nourishment and divine truth over material needs, setting a foundational principle for His ministry and for all who follow Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is situated at the very outset of Jesus' public ministry, immediately following His baptism in [Luke 3:21-22](/luke/3-21-22 "Luke 3:21-22 - Jesus' Baptism") and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Him. The Spirit then leads Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, where He undergoes a period of intense fasting and profound temptation by the devil, as detailed in [Luke 4:1-13](/luke/4-1-13 "Luke 4:1-13 - The Temptation of Jesus"). The devil's first assault directly targets Jesus' physical hunger, challenging His identity as the Son of God by urging Him to miraculously turn stones into bread. Jesus' response in verse 4, a direct quotation from the Old Testament, serves as His initial public declaration of reliance on God's Word and a definitive rejection of a purely materialistic understanding of life and power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness, or "desert," in biblical tradition often served as a place of testing, purification, and divine encounter, reminiscent of Israel's forty years of wandering after the Exodus ([Deuteronomy 8:2-3](/deuteronomy/8-2-3 "Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - God's Provision in the Wilderness")). Fasting was a common spiritual discipline in Judaism, practiced for repentance, mourning, or seeking divine guidance. The concept of "bread" (ἄρτος, *artos*) was a fundamental staple, symbolizing basic physical sustenance. However, the Jewish understanding, particularly through the Law, also recognized that God's provision extended beyond the physical, encompassing His divine word and covenant faithfulness. Jesus' quotation from [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by God's Word") would have resonated deeply with His Jewish audience, recalling God's miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness and the accompanying lesson that true life depends on obedience to God's commands.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 4:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **supremacy of spiritual over physical needs**, emphasizing that true life and well-being are not sustained by material provisions alone, but by a deeper, spiritual nourishment derived from God's Word. Secondly, it powerfully demonstrates **Jesus' absolute reliance on and authority of Scripture**. By declaring "It is written," Jesus models how to combat temptation and live in obedience to God's will, establishing the Bible as the ultimate source of truth and guidance, a theme echoed in His later teachings (e.g., [Luke 11:28](/luke/11-28 "Luke 11:28 - Blessed are those who hear God's Word")). Thirdly, this verse sets the stage for **Jesus' victory over temptation**, showcasing His perfect obedience where Israel had failed in the wilderness, thereby affirming His unique identity as the obedient Son of God. This victory is a crucial aspect of His messianic mission, foreshadowing His ultimate triumph over sin and death.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This verb, in its perfect passive indicative form (γέγραπται, *gegraptai*), signifies an action completed in the past with continuing, permanent results. When Jesus declares "It is written," He is not merely referencing an ancient text but affirming an authoritative, divinely established truth that stands eternally valid and unchangeable. It underscores the enduring and immutable nature of God's revealed Word.
* **live (Greek, _záō'_):** This primary verb means "to live" in a comprehensive sense, encompassing not just biological existence but also spiritual vitality, flourishing, and eternal life. Jesus' statement expands the concept of "living" beyond mere physical survival, asserting that true, meaningful existence is contingent upon a relationship with and obedience to God through His word.
* **word (Greek, _rhēma'_):** While often translated as "word," *rhēma* specifically refers to an utterance, a spoken word, or a divine pronouncement. In this context, it emphasizes the active, living, and dynamic nature of God's communication to humanity. It is not just static text, but God's active speaking that provides life and sustenance, distinguishing it from the general concept of "logos" (λόγος) which can refer to the underlying divine reason or message.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus answered him, saying,"**: This clause establishes Jesus' direct engagement with the tempter, signifying His active and authoritative response. It immediately positions Him as the one who possesses divine wisdom and truth, ready to counter the devil's deception.
* **"It is written,"**: This powerful phrase, *Gegrammai* in Greek, serves as Jesus' ultimate appeal to divine authority. It is a declaration that His subsequent words are not His own personal opinion or clever retort, but an unassailable truth already established by God in Scripture. This phrase is a cornerstone of Jesus' method for resisting temptation and teaching truth.
* **"That man shall not live by bread alone,"**: Quoting [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by God's Word"), Jesus directly addresses the devil's physical temptation. He acknowledges the necessity of "bread" (physical sustenance) but immediately qualifies its role, asserting that it is insufficient for true human flourishing. This highlights the limited nature of material provision.
* **"but by every word of God."**: This crucial antithetical clause completes the quotation and provides the divine alternative to mere physical sustenance. It emphasizes that genuine life, spiritual vitality, and ultimate well-being are derived from "every word" (πᾶν ῥῆμα, *pan rhēma*) that proceeds from God. This signifies the comprehensive and all-sufficient nature of God's revelation and commands as the true source of human existence and purpose.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 4:4 employs several potent literary devices. **Allusion** is central, as Jesus directly alludes to and quotes [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - God's Provision and Instruction") from the Old Testament. This not only demonstrates Jesus' profound knowledge of Scripture but also links His experience in the wilderness to Israel's forty years of testing, positioning Him as the faithful Israelite who succeeds where they failed. **Antithesis** is clearly present in the contrast between "bread alone" and "every word of God," highlighting the fundamental difference between physical and spiritual sustenance. This sharp contrast underscores the spiritual priority Jesus asserts. Furthermore, the phrase "It is written" functions as an **authoritative declaration**, a rhetorical device that immediately invokes divine authority and settles the argument, leaving no room for debate. This phrase establishes the **infallibility** and **sufficiency** of Scripture in the face of temptation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 4:4 is a profound theological statement that establishes the foundational principle of divine sustenance and the ultimate authority of God's Word. It teaches that human existence, in its truest and most complete sense, transcends mere physical survival and is fundamentally dependent on an active relationship with God, mediated through His revealed will. This verse challenges any worldview that prioritizes material provision or worldly success above spiritual truth and obedience, asserting that genuine life and flourishing are found in aligning oneself with God's purposes and commands. It underscores the biblical truth that God's Word is not merely information but life-giving power, capable of sustaining, guiding, and transforming.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by God's Word")
* [Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Jesus' Response to Temptation")
* [John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - The Spirit Gives Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 4:4 serves as a timeless paradigm for how believers are to navigate the challenges and temptations of life. In a world that constantly bombards us with messages emphasizing material acquisition, physical comfort, and self-sufficiency, Jesus' declaration calls us back to a radical reorientation of our priorities. It reminds us that while physical needs are real, they are secondary to our spiritual hunger for God and His truth. To truly "live," we must actively and consistently feed our souls with "every word of God" through diligent study, meditation, and obedience to Scripture. This verse empowers us to resist the allure of worldly solutions and to find our ultimate satisfaction and security not in what we consume or possess, but in the enduring, life-giving power of God's revelation. It equips us for spiritual warfare, demonstrating that the most potent weapon against deception and temptation is the authoritative truth of God's Word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to prioritize physical or material "bread" over the "word of God"?**
* **How consistently am I nourishing my soul with God's Word, and what practical steps can I take to deepen this practice?**
* **How can Jesus' example of quoting Scripture help me to resist temptation and make Spirit-led decisions in my daily life?**
* **What does it truly mean for me to "live by every word of God" in a practical sense?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 in Luke 4:4?**

Answer: The significance is multi-layered. First, it demonstrates Jesus' perfect identification with Israel's experience in the wilderness, yet His ultimate triumph where Israel failed. [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - God's Provision in the Wilderness") recounts how God humbled Israel and allowed them to hunger, then fed them manna, "that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." By quoting this, Jesus affirms His reliance on God's provision and Word, not on miraculous displays for personal gain. Second, it establishes the supreme authority of Scripture as the ultimate defense against temptation and deception. Jesus, as the Son of God, submits to and wields the written Word of God, setting an example for all believers.

**Does this verse mean that physical food is unimportant?**

Answer: No, the verse does not negate the importance of physical food but rather places it in its proper perspective. Jesus acknowledges that "man shall not live by bread *alone*," implying that bread (physical sustenance) is necessary but insufficient for true, complete human life. The emphasis is on the *alone* – physical provision cannot be the sole or ultimate source of life and well-being. True life, in its fullest spiritual and eternal sense, is derived from God's Word, which nourishes the soul and provides purpose, guidance, and eternal hope beyond mere physical existence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 4:4 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself being the embodiment of the "Word of God" and the "Bread of Life." While Jesus quotes the written word to counter temptation, He is simultaneously the living Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")) who became flesh and dwelt among us. He is the one through whom "every word of God" truly comes to humanity. Furthermore, Jesus later declares, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). This profound statement reveals that the spiritual sustenance promised in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by God's Word") and affirmed in Luke 4:4 is ultimately found in a personal relationship with Christ. He is not just the one who lives by God's word; He *is* the life-giving Word and the true manna from heaven, offering eternal sustenance that far surpasses any physical bread. His perfect obedience in the wilderness, sustained by the Father's word, foreshadows His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, through which He provides spiritual life and nourishment for all who believe ([John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus Gives His Flesh for the Life of the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 8:3

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

Matthew 4:4

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 6:31

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Exodus 23:25

And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

Luke 4:10

For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

Matthew 6:25

¶ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?