Matthew 4:1

KJV

¶ Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} was Jesus {G2424} led up {G321} of {G5259} the Spirit {G4151} into {G1519} the wilderness {G2048} to be tempted {G3985} of {G5259} the devil {G1228}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the Spirit led Yeshua up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Adversary.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

American Standard Version

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following His baptism and divine affirmation, Matthew 4:1 marks a crucial transition in Jesus' life, initiating a period of intense spiritual preparation and direct confrontation with the forces of evil. This verse sets the stage for His public ministry by detailing His Spirit-led journey into the wilderness, where He was to undergo a profound test orchestrated by the devil, signifying the beginning of His redemptive work through perfect obedience amidst temptation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the pivotal event of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist in [Matthew 3:13-17](/matthew/3-13-17 "Matthew 3:13-17 - Jesus' Baptism and Divine Affirmation"). At His baptism, the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove, and a voice from heaven declared, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The phrase "Then was Jesus led up" (G5119 tóte) directly links the divine affirmation of His sonship to this subsequent period of testing. It signifies that His temptation was not an accidental detour but a divinely orchestrated prelude to His public ministry, demonstrating His perfect obedience and qualification for the task ahead, even under extreme duress. This narrative structure highlights the immediate consequence and divine purpose following His anointing.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "wilderness" (Greek: _erēmos_) in biblical thought is far more than just a desolate geographical location; it is a profound theological landscape. For ancient Israel, the wilderness was the crucible of their national identity, a place of testing, purification, and divine encounter after their exodus from Egypt, as recounted in [Exodus 16](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail in the Wilderness") and throughout the book of [Numbers](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel"). Prophets like Elijah (see [1 Kings 19](/1_kings/19 "1 Kings 19 - Elijah Flees to Horeb")) and John the Baptist (see [Matthew 3:1-6](/matthew/3-1-6 "Matthew 3:1-6 - John the Baptist Prepares the Way")) also experienced periods of isolation and preparation in the wilderness. For Jesus, this setting evokes these historical precedents, positioning Him as the new Israel, undergoing a forty-day period of testing that echoes Israel's forty years, yet succeeding where Israel failed. It was a place of spiritual warfare, where the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms seemed to thin, making it an ideal arena for a direct confrontation with evil.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 4:1](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1 - Jesus Led into the Wilderness") introduces several foundational themes that resonate throughout Matthew's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Leading and Purpose**, showing that Jesus' temptation was not a random event but a deliberate act of God's Spirit, preparing Him for His messianic mission. This highlights that even trials can be part of God's sovereign plan for spiritual development and qualification. Secondly, it emphasizes **Preparation for Ministry**, illustrating that even the Son of God underwent a rigorous spiritual discipline before embarking on His public work of teaching, healing, and ultimately, atonement. This period of fasting and confrontation served as a critical crucible, solidifying His resolve and demonstrating His perfect obedience. Thirdly, the verse signals a direct **Confrontation with Evil**, explicitly stating Jesus was led "to be tempted of the devil." This sets the stage for the cosmic conflict between God's kingdom and the forces of darkness, foreshadowing Jesus' ultimate victory over sin, death, and the devil, a central theme culminating in His crucifixion and resurrection (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). Finally, it profoundly highlights **Jesus' Humanity and Divinity**, showcasing His full humanity (His capacity to be tempted, to experience hunger and weariness, as detailed in [Matthew 4:2](/matthew/4-2 "Matthew 4:2 - Jesus' Fasting")) alongside His divine nature (His perfect sinlessness and ability to resist the devil's most cunning schemes, as seen in [Matthew 4:3-11](/matthew/4-3-11 "Matthew 4:3-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spirit (Greek, _pneûma'_):** This term, derived from a word meaning "a current of air" or "breath," refers here to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Its usage indicates that Jesus was not passively or accidentally led, but actively, purposefully, and divinely guided by the Holy Spirit. This highlights the Spirit's active role in empowering and directing Jesus' ministry, even into a period of intense testing. The Spirit's leading signifies divine authorization and purpose behind the temptation.
* **wilderness (Greek, _érēmos'_):** Meaning "lonesome" or "waste," this word describes a desolate, uninhabited region. Biblically, the wilderness is often a place of isolation, purification, and testing, as seen with Israel's forty years in the desert or prophets like Elijah. For Jesus, it represents a place of solitude and direct spiritual confrontation, away from human support, where His reliance on God would be absolute.
* **tempted (Greek, _peirázō'_):** This verb means "to test," "scrutinize," "entice," or "discipline." When applied to the devil, as here, it carries the clear connotation of malicious intent – an attempt to lure one into sin or to prove one's unfaithfulness. It is not merely a trial for strength but a deliberate effort to cause Jesus to fall from obedience and compromise His messianic mission.
* **devil (Greek, _diábolos'_):** From a root meaning "to traduce" or "slander," this term identifies Satan, the arch-adversary of God and humanity. He is depicted as a "false accuser" or "slanderer," whose primary aim is to undermine God's purposes and lead creation into rebellion. His direct confrontation with Jesus in the wilderness underscores the ultimate spiritual battle between good and evil, with Jesus as the champion of God's kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then was Jesus led up":** The temporal adverb "Then" (G5119 tóte) firmly connects this event to Jesus' baptism and the divine affirmation of His sonship in [Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - The Voice from Heaven"). The passive voice "was led up" (G321 anágō) implies divine agency, specifically by the Spirit, indicating that this journey was not Jesus' own initiative but part of God's sovereign plan for His Son. This highlights the purposeful nature of the ensuing temptation.
* **"of the Spirit":** This crucial phrase identifies the agent of Jesus' leading. It was the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who descended upon Him at His baptism, who actively directed Jesus into this period of testing. This demonstrates that even challenging and seemingly negative experiences can be part of God's divine will and preparation for His servants. The Spirit's guidance underscores the divine purpose behind the temptation.
* **"into the wilderness":** The destination, the "wilderness" (G2048 érēmos), is a place of desolation and isolation, rich with Old Testament symbolism of testing, purification, and divine encounter. It was in the wilderness that Israel was tested for forty years, and where prophets prepared for their ministries. For Jesus, it signifies a place where He would be stripped of all earthly comforts and human support, relying solely on God, preparing for His public ministry through intense spiritual warfare.
* **"to be tempted of the devil":** This clause reveals the explicit purpose of Jesus' Spirit-led journey: to be confronted and tested by the devil (G1228 diábolos). The Greek word for "tempted" (G3985 peirázō) here carries the malicious intent of the adversary to cause Jesus to sin or to deviate from God's will. This direct confrontation sets the stage for the cosmic battle between the Son of God and the forces of evil, demonstrating Jesus' perfect obedience and qualification as the sinless Lamb of God who would ultimately overcome Satan's power.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 4:1 employs several significant literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as this initial confrontation with the devil sets the stage for Jesus' entire ministry, which is characterized by His ongoing triumph over evil, culminating in His victory on the cross and resurrection. The "wilderness" itself functions as **Symbolism**, evoking the Old Testament narrative of Israel's forty years of testing in the desert (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remembering God's Leading in the Wilderness")), positioning Jesus as the true Israel who succeeds where the nation failed. The phrase "led up of the Spirit" highlights **Divine Agency**, emphasizing that this event was not accidental but divinely orchestrated, underscoring God's sovereign control even over periods of intense trial. This also subtly introduces **Antithesis** – the Spirit leads Jesus to be tempted by the devil, setting up a direct opposition between divine purpose and adversarial intent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 4:1 is profoundly theological, revealing the active role of the Holy Spirit in guiding Jesus, even into a period of severe testing. It underscores that God's sovereign plan often includes trials as a means of preparation and demonstration of faithfulness. This passage establishes Jesus as the new Adam and the true Israel, facing temptation and succeeding where humanity and the chosen nation had failed. His perfect obedience in the face of the devil's schemes qualifies Him as the sinless High Priest and the ultimate deliverer, demonstrating that His victory over sin and death is rooted in His unwavering commitment to God's will from the very outset of His public ministry. This initial spiritual battle foreshadows the greater victory Jesus would achieve over the powers of darkness through His life, death, and resurrection, securing salvation for all who believe.

* [Luke 4:1-2](/luke/4-1-2 "Luke 4:1-2 - Jesus Full of the Holy Spirit") - Parallel account of Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted.
* [Hebrews 2:18](/hebrews/2-18 "Hebrews 2:18 - Jesus' Ability to Help the Tempted") - States that because Jesus Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.
* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus' Sinlessness Despite Temptation") - Affirms that Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet He did not sin, making Him a compassionate and faithful High Priest.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 4:1 offers a powerful and counter-intuitive truth: sometimes, God's Spirit leads us into difficult seasons or "wilderness" experiences, not to abandon us, but to prepare us, strengthen us, and reveal His power through our reliance on Him. Just as Jesus was led to be tempted, we too can expect trials and temptations in our spiritual journey. This verse reminds us that being tempted is not a sin; yielding to temptation is. Our response to temptation, like Jesus', should be rooted in dependence on the Holy Spirit and adherence to God's Word. It encourages us to view challenges not as signs of God's absence, but often as opportunities for deeper spiritual growth, purification, and preparation for the work God has called us to do. We are never tempted beyond what we can bear, and God always provides a way out (see [1 Corinthians 10:13](/1_corinthians/10-13 "God Provides a Way Out of Temptation")). This passage calls us to embrace these periods of testing with faith, knowing that they are part of God's sovereign design to conform us to the image of His Son.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that Jesus was "led up of the Spirit" into temptation change your perspective on the trials and difficulties you face in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be using a "wilderness" experience in your life to prepare you for a greater purpose or ministry?**
* **What practical steps can you take to rely more fully on the Holy Spirit and God's Word when facing temptation, following Jesus' example?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jesus led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted?**

Answer: Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit for a specific divine purpose: to be tested and to demonstrate His perfect obedience and qualification for His messianic ministry. This was not an accidental or punitive event, but a strategic part of God's plan. It allowed Jesus to identify with humanity's struggle against sin, yet to overcome where the first Adam and even Israel had failed (see [Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of One for Many")). This period of intense spiritual combat prepared Him for His public ministry, establishing His authority over the forces of evil and proving His sinlessness as the sacrificial Lamb of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 4:1, by detailing Jesus' Spirit-led journey into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, profoundly sets the stage for His Christ-centered fulfillment. This event is a deliberate echo of Israel's forty years of testing in the wilderness (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:2-3](/deuteronomy/8-2-3 "Deuteronomy 8:2-3 - God's Purpose in the Wilderness")), but where Israel failed in obedience and trust, Jesus perfectly succeeds. He is the true Israel, the faithful Son, who perfectly obeys God's Word in the face of the adversary's most cunning temptations, as demonstrated in [Matthew 4:4-10](/matthew/4-4-10 "Matthew 4:4-10 - Jesus' Responses to Temptation"). Furthermore, this passage establishes Jesus as the "Last Adam" (as described in [1 Corinthians 15:45](/1_corinthians/15-45 "1 Corinthians 15:45 - The Last Adam")), who, unlike the first Adam in the Garden of Eden (see [Genesis 3:1-6](/genesis/3-1-6 "Genesis 3:1-6 - The Temptation in Eden")), perfectly withstands temptation and remains obedient to God. His victory over the devil in the wilderness foreshadows His ultimate triumph over sin, death, and the powers of darkness through His crucifixion and resurrection (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). By perfectly resisting temptation, Jesus qualifies Himself as the spotless Lamb of God, whose sinless life and sacrificial death would atone for the sins of humanity, making Him our compassionate and faithful High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, yet without sin (see [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")).

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

Hebrews 2:18

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Luke 4:1

¶ And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Luke 4:13

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

Mark 1:12

And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

Mark 1:15

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.