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.

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}.

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

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

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

Matthew 4:4 presents Jesus' pivotal response to the devil's first temptation in the wilderness, directly quoting from the Old Testament. This verse encapsulates a profound truth about human existence and reliance on God.

Context

This verse occurs during Jesus' forty-day fast in the wilderness, immediately following His baptism. The devil approaches Jesus, challenging Him to turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger. Jesus, having humbled Himself, resists the temptation to use His divine power for personal gain or outside of His Father's will. His answer sets the tone for how He will confront all subsequent temptations: by relying on and quoting Scripture.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Over Physical Sustenance: The primary message is that human life is not sustained merely by physical necessities like food ("bread alone"). True life, purpose, and well-being come from a deeper source.
  • Reliance on God's Word: Jesus emphasizes the absolute necessity of "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." This refers to divine revelation, commands, promises, and truth. It signifies that obeying and living by God's principles is more vital than any material provision.
  • Trust and Obedience: Jesus demonstrates perfect trust in God's provision and His unwavering obedience to God's will, even in extreme hunger. He models how to resist temptation by standing firm on the truth of Scripture, as also seen in Luke 4:4.
  • The Source of True Life: This verse points to God as the ultimate source of life and sustenance, reminding us that He provides not just for our bodies but for our souls.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Man shall not live by bread alone" is a direct quotation from Deuteronomy 8:3, where Moses reminds Israel of their wilderness journey. God allowed them to hunger and then fed them with manna, teaching them that dependence on Him and His word was paramount. The Greek word for "word" here is rhema, which often refers to a spoken word or utterance, highlighting the active, living, and authoritative nature of God's communication.

Practical Application

Matthew 4:4 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today. In a world often preoccupied with material comfort and physical needs, this verse calls us to prioritize our spiritual nourishment. It encourages us to:

  • Prioritize Scripture: Make reading, studying, and meditating on God's Word a daily essential, as vital as daily food. It is our spiritual food for growth and resilience.
  • Resist Temptation: Learn from Jesus' example to use Scripture as a weapon against the devil's schemes and our own fleshly desires. Knowing God's Word enables us to stand firm.
  • Cultivate Trust in God: Recognize that God's provision extends beyond the physical. He cares for our whole being, and His Word is sufficient for every need, guiding us to true life and spiritual vitality.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 8:3 (349 votes)

    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 (145 votes)

    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 (98 votes)

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

  • John 6:59 (98 votes)

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

  • John 6:63 (97 votes)

    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 (80 votes)

    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 (57 votes)

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