Matthew 4:5

KJV

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} the devil {G1228} taketh {G3880} him {G846} up {G3880} into {G1519} the holy {G40} city {G4172}, and {G2532} setteth {G2476} him {G846} on {G1909} a pinnacle {G4419} of the temple {G2411},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the Adversary took him to the holy city and set him on the highest point of the Temple.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple.

American Standard Version

Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 4:5 details the second temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness, where the devil transports Him from the desolate landscape to Jerusalem, the sacred "holy city." This strategic move sets the stage for a dramatic challenge, as the devil places Jesus on a prominent, high point of the Temple, aiming to provoke a public display of power and test God's faithfulness. This moment underscores the cunning nature of temptation and the spiritual battle for Jesus' messianic identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the temptation narrative in [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus"). It immediately follows Jesus' successful resistance to the devil's first temptation to turn stones into bread, as recorded in [Matthew 4:3-4](/matthew/4-3-4 "Matthew 4:3-4 - The First Temptation"). The devil, having failed to exploit Jesus' physical hunger, now shifts his strategy from the physical realm to the spiritual and public sphere. The narrative progression demonstrates Satan's adaptive and persistent nature in tempting Jesus, moving from the private, desolate wilderness to the public, sacred center of Jewish life, setting up the subsequent challenge to cast Himself down from the Temple.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jerusalem, known as "the holy city" ([Isaiah 48:2](/isaiah/48-2 "Isaiah 48:2 - Jerusalem, the Holy City")), was the spiritual and national heart of Judaism. At its center stood the Second Temple, rebuilt by Herod the Great, a magnificent complex that served as the focal point for Jewish worship, sacrifice, and pilgrimage. The "pinnacle of the temple" (Greek: _pterygion_) likely refers to a high, exposed corner or battlement, possibly the southeast corner overlooking the Kidron Valley, offering a precipitous drop and a highly visible location. Placing Jesus here would have been a profoundly symbolic act, challenging His identity within the very heart of Jewish religious expectation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within the broader narrative of [Matthew's Gospel](/matthew/1 "The Gospel According to Matthew"). Foremost is the theme of **Jesus' Identity as the Son of God**, as the devil repeatedly challenges Jesus to prove His divine sonship. The shift in location highlights the theme of **Temptation's Varied Forms**, moving from physical needs to spiritual pride and the desire for public acclaim, a pattern seen throughout human history. Furthermore, it foreshadows Jesus' ultimate triumph over evil and His steadfast obedience to God, contrasting with Israel's failures in the wilderness (as referenced in [Deuteronomy 6:16](/deuteronomy/6-16 "Deuteronomy 6:16 - Do Not Test the Lord Your God"), which Jesus quotes in [Matthew 4:7](/matthew/4-7 "Matthew 4:7 - Jesus' Response to the Second Temptation")), and establishing Him as the true and faithful Son.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **devil (Greek, _diábolos'_):** From _diabállō_, meaning "to slander" or "to accuse." This term denotes a traducer, a false accuser, and is specifically used as a title for Satan. It highlights his primary character as one who opposes God and His people, seeking to undermine, deceive, and destroy through accusation and temptation.
* **taketh (Greek, _paralambánō'_):** From _pará_ (beside) and _lambánō_ (to take). This verb means "to receive near," "to associate with oneself," or "to take along." In this context, it implies the devil's active, forceful, and perhaps even intimate control in transporting Jesus, emphasizing the supernatural nature of the temptation and the devil's power.
* **temple (Greek, _hierón'_):** This term refers to the entire sacred precincts of the Temple complex in Jerusalem, encompassing the courtyards, porticos, and various buildings, not just the central sanctuary (_naós_). Its use here emphasizes the public and religious significance of the location where the temptation occurs, highlighting the devil's attempt to corrupt a holy space for his unholy purposes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the devil taketh him up":** This clause signifies a direct, supernatural intervention by Satan, who physically transports Jesus. The verb "taketh up" suggests a forceful or compelling action, underscoring the devil's agency in initiating this second phase of temptation and his ability to move Jesus to a specific location for his strategic purposes.
* **"into the holy city":** This phrase identifies Jerusalem, emphasizing its sacred status as the center of Jewish worship and the place where God's presence was uniquely manifest through the Temple. The devil's choice of location is deliberate, moving Jesus from the desolate wilderness to a place of profound religious and symbolic significance, setting the stage for a temptation that would involve public spectacle and religious presumption.
* **"and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple":** This describes the precise location of the temptation. The "pinnacle" (Greek: _pterygion_) was a high, exposed, and precarious part of the Temple complex, likely a battlement or corner overlooking a deep drop. Placing Jesus here intensifies the dramatic tension and highlights the nature of the temptation: to perform a miraculous, public act that would force God's hand and prove Jesus' messianic identity on Satan's terms, rather than through humble obedience.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 4:5 employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the "holy city" of Jerusalem and the "pinnacle of the temple" are not merely geographical locations but potent symbols. Jerusalem represents the heart of God's covenant people and the place of divine presence, while the Temple signifies the locus of God's dwelling and the center of Jewish religious life. By placing Jesus on its pinnacle, the devil attempts to corrupt this sacred space for an unholy purpose, challenging Jesus' identity within the very framework of Israel's faith. There is also a stark **Contrast** between the desolate wilderness of the first temptation and the bustling, sacred city, highlighting the devil's adaptable tactics. Furthermore, the scene presents a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the devil, the embodiment of evil, attempts to use a holy place and even Scripture (as seen in the subsequent verse) to tempt the Son of God. This underscores the deceptive nature of evil, which often masquerades in spiritual guise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 4:5 profoundly illustrates the nature of spiritual warfare and the cunning of the adversary. The devil's strategy shifts from exploiting physical need to targeting spiritual pride and the desire for public validation, demonstrating that temptation can arise even in seemingly religious contexts. This temptation to "test God" by presuming upon His protection is a profound challenge to faith, urging Jesus to demand a sign rather than trust in quiet obedience. Jesus' steadfast resistance, rooted in His identity as the obedient Son, foreshadows His ultimate victory over sin and death, establishing Him as the faithful Israel and the true Messiah who fulfills God's will without compromise.

* [Deuteronomy 6:16](/deuteronomy/6-16 "Deuteronomy 6:16 - Do Not Test the Lord Your God")
* [Luke 4:9-11](/luke/4-9-11 "Luke 4:9-11 - The Temptation on the Temple Pinnacle")
* [Psalm 91:11-12](/psalms/91-11-12 "Psalm 91:11-12 - Angels Guarding the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This account of Jesus' temptation on the Temple pinnacle provides profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that temptation is not always overtly sinful but can subtly appeal to our desire for power, recognition, or even a misguided sense of faith that seeks to manipulate God. The devil's move to the "holy city" and the "temple" underscores that spiritual attacks can occur in the most sacred spaces of our lives, even within our religious practices or aspirations. We are called to discern the true nature of temptation, recognizing that presumption upon God's promises, rather than humble trust, can be a dangerous snare. Just as Jesus relied on the Word of God to counter the devil's schemes, we too must be deeply rooted in Scripture to navigate the complexities of spiritual warfare and resist the urge to test God or demand signs. Our faith is meant to be one of humble dependence, not demanding presumption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most tempted to seek public validation or a dramatic display of God's power, rather than trusting in quiet obedience?**
* **How do I discern between genuine faith and presumptuous "testing" of God in my own life?**
* **How can I better equip myself with Scripture to recognize and resist the subtle, spiritually-cloaked temptations that the enemy might present?**
* **What does Jesus' steadfastness in this temptation teach me about the nature of true sonship or discipleship?**

### FAQ

**Why did the devil choose the Temple in Jerusalem for this temptation?**

Answer: The devil's choice of the Temple in Jerusalem was highly strategic and symbolic. Jerusalem was known as "the holy city," and the Temple was the spiritual heart of Judaism, representing God's presence and the hopes of Israel. By taking Jesus to this sacred place, the devil aimed to exploit Jesus' messianic identity in a public, dramatic way. He intended to tempt Jesus to prove His divine Sonship through a spectacular act (casting Himself down from the pinnacle), thereby forcing God's hand and gaining immediate, worldly acclaim rather than following the path of humble obedience and suffering. This location also allowed the devil to twist Scripture, quoting [Psalm 91:11-12](/psalms/91-11-12 "Psalm 91:11-12 - Angels Guarding the Righteous") to Jesus, further demonstrating his cunning in using religious contexts for unholy purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 4:5, depicting Jesus' temptation on the Temple pinnacle, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' perfect obedience and His ultimate establishment of a new, spiritual Temple. Unlike Adam, who fell in a garden, or Israel, who repeatedly failed in the wilderness, Jesus, the Second Adam and true Israel, perfectly resisted temptation. His refusal to cast Himself down from the Temple's height foreshadows His rejection of a worldly, spectacular Messiahship in favor of the path of suffering and servanthood. He would not "test the Lord His God" ([Matthew 4:7](/matthew/4-7 "Matthew 4:7 - Jesus' Response to the Second Temptation")), but rather perfectly trust in Him. Ultimately, Jesus Himself became the true Temple, the place where God dwells among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction and Resurrection")). His body, broken on the cross, was the ultimate sacrifice, and His resurrection established a new covenant, where believers, through Him, become living stones in a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). Thus, Jesus' victory here is not merely a personal triumph but a foundational act that redefines worship, true divine presence, and the nature of God's kingdom, moving it from a physical structure to a spiritual reality centered on His person.

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

Luke 4:9

And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:

Matthew 27:53

And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Revelation 11:2

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.

Isaiah 48:2

For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts [is] his name.

John 19:11

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Daniel 9:24

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Isaiah 52:1

¶ Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.