Luke 4:4

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

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}.

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

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

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

In Luke 4:4, Jesus delivers a foundational truth during His temptation in the wilderness, directly quoting Old Testament Scripture to counter Satan's challenge. This verse highlights the profound importance of spiritual sustenance over mere physical provision.

Context

This powerful declaration comes at the very beginning of Jesus' public ministry. After His baptism and being filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus was led into the wilderness where He fasted for forty days. During this time, He was tempted by the devil (Luke 4:1-13). The first temptation was a direct assault on Jesus' physical hunger: "If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread." Jesus' response in verse 4, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, reveals His absolute reliance on God's Word and His spiritual authority.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Over Physical Needs: Jesus emphasizes that true life and sustenance come not from material things ("bread alone") but from "every word of God." This teaches us to prioritize our spiritual well-being and God's commands above immediate physical desires or worldly comforts.
  • Reliance on God's Word: By quoting Scripture, Jesus demonstrates the power and authority of God's revealed truth. His answer implies that God's Word is the ultimate source of guidance, provision, and life itself. It is the spiritual food that nourishes the soul.
  • Victory Over Temptation: Jesus' method of combating temptation by declaring "It is written" provides a timeless model for believers. To stand firm against the devil's schemes, one must know and apply God's Word (the sword of the Spirit).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "It is written" (Greek: Gegrammai) is a perfect passive indicative verb, emphasizing that something has been written down and stands as a permanent, authoritative truth. It signifies the divine and unchanging nature of Scripture. Jesus consistently used this phrase to affirm the veracity and authority of the Old Testament Law and Prophets.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 4:4 serves as a vital reminder:

  • Prioritize God's Word: Just as our bodies need physical food daily, our souls need spiritual nourishment from the Bible. Regular engagement with Scripture is essential for spiritual health and growth.
  • Resist Materialism: In a world often driven by consumerism and the pursuit of comfort, this verse calls us to evaluate what truly sustains us. Our ultimate satisfaction and security should be found in God and His promises, not in possessions or worldly success.
  • Equip for Spiritual Warfare: Jesus' example teaches us that knowing and wielding God's Word is our primary defense against temptation and the deceptions of the enemy. It empowers us to discern truth from falsehood and to choose obedience over sin.

This verse encourages us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all other necessary things will be provided (Matthew 6:33).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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?
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