Matthew 4:6

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

And {G2532} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, If {G1487} thou be {G1488} the Son {G5207} of God {G2316}, cast {G906} thyself {G4572} down {G2736}: for {G1063} it is written {G1125},{G3754} He shall give {G1781} his {G846} angels {G32} charge {G1781} concerning {G4012} thee {G4675}: and {G2532} in {G1909} their hands {G5495} they shall bear {G142} thee {G4571} up {G142}, lest at any time {G3379} thou dash {G4350} thy {G4675} foot {G4228} against {G4314} a stone {G3037}.

"If you are the Son of God," he said, "jump! For the Tanakh says, `He will order his angels to be responsible for you. . . . They will support you with their hands, so that you will not hurt your feet on the stones.'"

“If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

and saith unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Commentary on Matthew 4:6 (KJV)

Matthew 4:6 records the second of three temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness, immediately following His baptism and the declaration of His divine Sonship by God the Father (Matthew 3:17). The devil, having failed to tempt Jesus to satisfy His hunger through illegitimate means (Matthew 4:3-4), now shifts his strategy to spiritual presumption.

Context

This verse is part of the pivotal narrative of the temptation of Jesus Christ in the wilderness. After forty days and nights of fasting, Jesus was at a point of physical weakness. The devil takes Him to the pinnacle of the Temple in Jerusalem, daring Him to jump, claiming divine protection based on Scripture. This temptation aims to challenge Jesus' identity as the Son of God and to provoke Him into a presumptuous act that would force God's hand.

Key Themes

  • The Devil's Deception and Misuse of Scripture: The most striking aspect of this temptation is the devil's cunning use of God's Word. He quotes from Psalm 91:11-12, a passage promising divine protection. However, he deliberately omits a crucial part: "to keep thee in all thy ways." This omission changes the meaning, turning a promise of protection for those walking in God's ways into an invitation for reckless self-testing. This highlights the danger of taking scripture out of context.
  • Testing God vs. Trusting God: The devil challenges Jesus to test God's faithfulness by putting Himself in a dangerous situation. True faith, however, is not about forcing God to prove Himself, but about trusting His sovereignty and provision within His will. Jesus' refusal demonstrates that genuine faith does not engage in presumption or reckless endangerment.
  • The Sonship of God: The devil begins with "If thou be the Son of God," directly challenging Jesus' identity. This is a recurring theme in the temptations, as the devil attempts to undermine Jesus' relationship with the Father and His divine mission.
  • Divine Protection: The verse speaks to God's promise of angelic protection. While God indeed protects His own, this protection is not a license for foolish or disobedient acts. It is for those who walk in His ways and trust in His care.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "it is written" (Greek: gegraptai - γέγραπται) is a perfect passive indicative verb, emphasizing that the Scripture stands as a permanent, authoritative record. Both the devil and Jesus use this phrase, acknowledging the supreme authority of God's Word. The devil's error lies not in denying the Scripture's authority, but in his misinterpretation and misapplication of it.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a powerful warning and instruction for believers today:

  1. Discernment is Crucial: Be wary of spiritual deception, especially when it comes cloaked in seemingly biblical language. The devil often twists truth or uses partial truth to lead people astray.
  2. Study Scripture in Context: Always seek to understand the full context of a Bible verse before applying it. Taking verses out of their surrounding narrative or doctrinal framework can lead to serious error.
  3. Avoid Presumption: Do not put God to the test by deliberately placing yourself in harm's way or expecting Him to intervene in situations born of your own recklessness. True faith relies on God's will and wisdom, not on demanding miracles.
  4. God's Protection is Real, but Not for Abuse: God's promises of protection are for those who walk in obedience and faithfulness, not for those who seek to manipulate divine power for their own ends or to prove a point.
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.

  • Psalms 91:11

    For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

  • Psalms 91:12

    They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

  • Hebrews 1:14

    Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

  • Psalms 34:7

    The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:14

    And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

  • Psalms 34:20

    He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

  • 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.

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