Matthew 4:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he answered {G611} and said {G2036}, It is written {G1125}, Man {G444} shall {G2198} not {G3756} live {G2198} by {G1909} bread {G740} alone {G3441}, but {G235} by {G1909} every {G3956} word {G4487} that proceedeth {G1607} out of {G1223} the mouth {G4750} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he answered, "The Tanakh says, `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of ADONAI'"

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 4:4 records Jesus' profound response to the devil's first temptation in the wilderness, directly quoting from Deuteronomy. This verse articulates a foundational truth: human life is sustained not merely by physical provisions but by a deeper, spiritual nourishment derived from God's authoritative and life-giving word. It underscores the paramount importance of divine revelation and obedience in navigating the challenges of existence and resisting spiritual adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is situated within the narrative of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, immediately following His baptism and the affirmation of His divine Sonship in [Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - God's Affirmation of Jesus"). After forty days of fasting, Jesus is at His most physically vulnerable when the devil approaches with three strategic temptations. The first temptation, to turn stones into bread, directly challenges Jesus' physical hunger and His identity as the Son of God. Jesus' response in [Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone") is a direct quotation from [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - God's Provision in the Wilderness"), setting the pattern for His subsequent victories over temptation through the unwavering authority of Scripture. This episode highlights Jesus' perfect obedience and reliance on the Father's will, even in extreme duress, foreshadowing His ultimate triumph over sin and death.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The wilderness setting evokes the forty years of Israel's wandering, a period of testing and divine provision. Just as God tested Israel's faith by withholding physical sustenance and then providing manna, Jesus, as the new Israel, undergoes a similar, yet perfect, testing. The Jewish understanding of "bread" (ἄρτος, *artos*) in this context would have encompassed all physical sustenance. The concept of living "by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" resonated deeply with a people whose identity was intrinsically linked to the Torah and the divine commands given at Sinai. Rabbinic tradition emphasized the study and adherence to God's word as central to life. Jesus' quotation from [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - God's Teaching in the Wilderness") would have immediately brought to mind Israel's history of dependence on God's miraculous provision and His instruction, contrasting their failures with His perfect faithfulness.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 4:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it establishes the theme of **Spiritual Over Physical Sustenance**, asserting that true life and well-being are not derived from material provisions alone, but from obedience to God's revealed will. Secondly, it powerfully underscores the **Authority and Sufficiency of God's Word**, demonstrating that Scripture is the ultimate weapon against temptation and the bedrock of faithful living. Jesus' consistent use of "It is written" throughout the temptation narrative (cf. [Matthew 4:7](/matthew/4-7 "Matthew 4:7 - Do Not Put the Lord Your God to the Test") and [Matthew 4:10](/matthew/4-10 "Matthew 4:10 - Worship the Lord Your God Only")) solidifies this theme. Thirdly, the verse highlights Jesus' **Perfect Obedience and Trust** in God, even when facing extreme hunger and the devil's cunning. This obedience contrasts sharply with Israel's frequent grumbling and disobedience in the wilderness, positioning Jesus as the faithful Son who perfectly fulfills God's will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This primary verb signifies "to grave," especially "to write," and figuratively, "to describe." In Matthew 4:4, "It is written" (γέγραπται, *gegraptai*, a perfect passive indicative of *graphō*) is a common formula in the New Testament for quoting Scripture. Its perfect tense indicates a past action with continuing results, emphasizing the enduring and authoritative nature of the divine word. What God has written remains written and holds eternal validity.
* **live (Greek, _záō'_):** This primary verb means "to live" literally or figuratively, encompassing concepts of life, lifetime, being alive, or being quick/vibrant. In this context, *záō* refers not merely to biological existence but to a full, flourishing, and meaningful life. Jesus implies that true human flourishing—a life lived in accordance with its intended purpose—is contingent upon spiritual nourishment from God, not just physical sustenance.
* **word (Greek, _rhēma'_):** Derived from *rheō* (to speak), *rhēma* refers to an utterance, a spoken word, or a matter/topic. Unlike *logos* (which can refer to the underlying reason or concept), *rhēma* often emphasizes the active, specific, and authoritative declaration or command of God. Here, it highlights the dynamic, living, and potent nature of God's direct communication, which proceeds from His mouth and provides life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he answered and said,"**: This introductory phrase signals Jesus' direct and authoritative response to the devil's temptation. It sets the stage for a declaration of divine truth, emphasizing that Jesus' words are not His own personal opinion but a direct counter based on a higher authority.
* **"It is written,"**: This formulaic declaration immediately establishes the source of Jesus' authority: the inspired and infallible Word of God. By prefacing His statement with this phrase, Jesus grounds His resistance not in His own power or wisdom, but in the established truth of Scripture, demonstrating its supremacy over all temptation.
* **"Man shall not live by bread alone,"**: This clause, a direct quotation from [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - God's Purpose in the Wilderness"), asserts that human existence and flourishing are not solely dependent on physical provisions. "Bread" here symbolizes all material necessities and comforts. This statement challenges the materialistic worldview, suggesting that physical sustenance, while necessary, is insufficient for true life.
* **"but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."**: This crucial counter-clause reveals the true source of human life and sustenance. It emphasizes that genuine life is found in obedience to and nourishment from "every word" (πᾶν ῥῆμα, *pan rhēma*) that originates directly from God. The phrase "proceedeth out of the mouth of God" highlights the divine origin, authority, and life-giving power of God's spoken revelation, which encompasses His commands, promises, and truths.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 4:4 masterfully employs several literary devices. **Allusion** is central, as Jesus directly alludes to and quotes [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - God's Teaching Through Manna"), connecting His experience to Israel's wilderness journey and God's teaching on dependence. This allusion not only validates Jesus' response with Old Testament authority but also recontextualizes Israel's history of testing and provision through the lens of His perfect obedience. The verse also uses **Contrast** ("not by bread alone, but by every word"), sharply distinguishing between two sources of sustenance: the insufficient physical and the all-sufficient spiritual. This antithetical parallelism emphasizes the superiority of divine provision. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is present, with "bread" representing physical sustenance and "word" symbolizing divine revelation and spiritual nourishment. The "mouth of God" serves as a powerful **Metonymy** for God's direct, authoritative, and life-giving communication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 4:4 profoundly shapes our understanding of God's nature, human dependence, and the role of Scripture. It reveals God as the ultimate provider, not just of physical needs, but of spiritual life and truth. It underscores humanity's inherent need for divine revelation to truly live and flourish, asserting that our deepest sustenance comes from aligning our lives with God's will and truth. This verse establishes a foundational principle for Christian living: prioritizing spiritual nourishment from God's Word over all material concerns, recognizing that true security and well-being are found in Him alone. It also highlights Jesus' role as the perfectly obedient Son, demonstrating how humanity is meant to relate to God's commands.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "The Purpose of Manna")
* [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")
* [Psalm 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Your Word is a Lamp")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often prioritizes material wealth, physical comfort, and immediate gratification, Matthew 4:4 stands as a timeless challenge and an enduring source of wisdom. It calls believers to re-evaluate their priorities, recognizing that true life and lasting satisfaction are not found in what we consume or accumulate physically, but in our active engagement with and obedience to God's Word. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep hunger for divine truth, viewing Scripture not as an optional accessory but as essential spiritual food for our souls. Just as Jesus resisted temptation by wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, we too are equipped to stand firm against the schemes of the enemy and the allure of worldly desires by saturating ourselves in God's revealed will. This means committing to consistent Bible study, meditation, and prayer, allowing God's words to shape our thoughts, guide our decisions, and nourish our spirits, thereby enabling us to live lives that truly honor Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "bread" (material comforts, worldly pursuits, personal desires) might I be relying on more than God's Word for satisfaction and security in my life?**
* **How consistently do I feed my spirit with God's Word, and what practical steps can I take to prioritize this spiritual nourishment daily?**
* **In what areas of my life am I currently facing temptation, and how can I intentionally apply specific Scriptures to resist and overcome?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 in Matthew 4:4?**

Answer: The significance of Jesus quoting [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - God's Teaching in the Wilderness") lies in its profound theological and historical resonance. In Deuteronomy, Moses reminds Israel that God allowed them to suffer hunger in the wilderness and then fed them with manna, "that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." By quoting this, Jesus identifies with Israel's experience of testing and dependence on God, but also demonstrates His perfect obedience where Israel often failed. It signifies that Jesus, as the true Israel, lives by complete reliance on God's word, even in the face of extreme physical need. This quotation also highlights the enduring authority of the Old Testament Scriptures and establishes a pattern for how believers should confront temptation: not by human ingenuity or power, but by standing firmly on God's revealed truth. Jesus' response elevates the spiritual over the physical, showing that true life is found in communion with and obedience to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 4:4 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is the living embodiment of "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." While the Old Testament passage in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - God's Provision") pointed to God's spoken word as the source of life, Jesus reveals that He is the Word made flesh, the very utterance of God to humanity (cf. [John 1:1-14](/john/1-1-14 "John 1:1-14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the true "bread of life" (cf. [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), the ultimate spiritual sustenance without whom humanity perishes. Jesus' perfect obedience in the wilderness, living solely by the Father's word, contrasts with Adam's disobedience and Israel's failures, positioning Him as the faithful Son who perfectly fulfills God's will. His life of complete reliance on God's every word demonstrates the ideal human response to the Father, providing a pattern for all who would follow Him. Ultimately, through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus provides not just spiritual nourishment, but eternal life, fulfilling the promise that those who believe in Him will never hunger or thirst (cf. [John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - The Living Bread")). He is the living Word who gives life to the world, making the spiritual sustenance promised in Matthew 4:4 a tangible reality for all who believe.

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.

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.

John 6:31

Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

John 6:59

These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

John 6:63

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.

Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Ephesians 6:17

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