Matthew 4:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"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.'"

Berean Standard Bible

“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.’”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Matthew 4:6 captures the second temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, where the devil, quoting from Psalm 91, challenges Jesus to prove His divine Sonship by casting Himself down from the Temple's pinnacle, promising angelic intervention. This insidious test aims to provoke Jesus into a presumptuous act, twisting God's promise of protection into an invitation for reckless self-endangerment, thereby attempting to undermine His trust and obedience to the Father.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the pivotal narrative of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, immediately following His baptism and the Father's declaration, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - The Voice from Heaven at Jesus' Baptism")). Having fasted for forty days and nights, Jesus is physically vulnerable, setting the stage for the devil's strategic assaults. The first temptation targeted Jesus' hunger, urging Him to turn stones into bread ([Matthew 4:3-4](/matthew/4-3-4 "Matthew 4:3-4 - Temptation to Turn Stones to Bread")), which Jesus countered with Scripture emphasizing spiritual sustenance. The devil then shifts tactics from physical needs to spiritual presumption, moving Jesus to the Temple's highest point, attempting to exploit His identity and relationship with God through a distorted use of Scripture. This temptation is followed by a third, where the devil offers all the kingdoms of the world for an act of worship ([Matthew 4:8-9](/matthew/4-8-9 "Matthew 4:8-9 - Temptation to Worship the Devil")), culminating in Jesus' definitive rebuke and the devil's departure ([Matthew 4:10-11](/matthew/4-10-11 "Matthew 4:10-11 - Jesus Rebukes the Devil")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this temptation is the pinnacle of the Temple in Jerusalem. While the exact location is debated, it likely refers to a high point on the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount, overlooking the Kidron Valley, a dizzying drop of several hundred feet. The Temple itself was the spiritual heart of Judaism, a place where God's presence was believed to dwell and where miraculous interventions were anticipated. For the devil to suggest such an act here was to challenge Jesus at the very center of Jewish religious expectation, playing on the desire for a spectacular, undeniable display of divine power that might validate His Messiahship in the eyes of the people. The Jewish understanding of divine protection, particularly as expressed in Psalm 91, was deeply ingrained, and the devil's manipulation of this promise would have resonated powerfully within that cultural framework.
* **Key Themes:** The temptation in [Matthew 4](/matthew/4 "Matthew 4 - The Temptation of Jesus and Beginning of Ministry") contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it profoundly explores the **identity of Jesus as the Son of God**, a title the devil repeatedly challenges with "If thou be the Son of God." Jesus' unwavering obedience despite His divine power underscores His unique relationship with the Father. Secondly, the passage highlights the **authority and proper interpretation of Scripture**. The devil's cunning misapplication of [Psalm 91:11-12](/psalm/91-11-12 "Psalm 91:11-12 - God's Promise of Protection") demonstrates the danger of twisting God's Word out of context, a theme Jesus directly addresses in His response in [Matthew 4:7](/matthew/4-7 "Matthew 4:7 - Jesus' Response to the Temptation"). Thirdly, it distinguishes between **true faith and presumptuous testing of God**. The devil invites Jesus to put God to the test, demanding a miraculous intervention, whereas true faith trusts God's sovereignty without demanding signs or engaging in reckless acts. Finally, the narrative showcases **Jesus' victory over temptation**, establishing Him as the perfect human who, unlike Adam or Israel in the wilderness, perfectly obeys God, setting the precedent for His sinless life and redemptive work.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Son (Greek, _huiós'_):** (G5207) This word, meaning "son" or "child," is crucial here as it directly addresses Jesus' divine identity. The devil's "If thou be the Son of God" is not a genuine question about Jesus' parentage but a challenge to His unique relationship with the Father and His messianic mission. It implies a demand for proof of His divine status through an act of presumption, rather than an acceptance of His inherent Sonship declared at His baptism.
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** (G1125) The perfect passive indicative form of this verb, "it is written" (_gegraptai_), signifies a permanent, authoritative, and completed action. Both the devil and Jesus employ this phrase, acknowledging the immutable authority of the Old Testament Scriptures. The devil's use, however, is a deceptive appeal to this authority, attempting to legitimize his manipulative challenge by cloaking it in God's Word, while Jesus' use consistently upholds the true intent and context of the Scriptures.
* **bear up (Greek, _aírō'_):** (G142) This verb means "to lift up" or "to take up or away." In the context of Psalm 91 and the devil's quotation, it refers to the angelic action of physically supporting Jesus, preventing Him from striking His foot against a stone. The devil presents this as an absolute, unconditional promise of divine intervention, implying that God is obligated to prevent any harm, regardless of the presumption of the act. This highlights the devil's distortion of God's protective care, which is always within the bounds of His will and righteous ways.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down:"** The devil initiates the temptation by directly challenging Jesus' identity, "If thou be the Son of God." This is not an expression of doubt but a conditional statement designed to provoke Jesus into proving His divine status through a miraculous, self-initiated act. The command "cast thyself down" is an audacious dare, inviting Jesus to presumptuously test God's protective power by placing Himself in extreme danger.
* **"for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee:"** The devil attempts to justify his dare by quoting Scripture, specifically from Psalm 91:11. By stating "for it is written," he acknowledges the authority of God's Word, yet his subsequent quotation is a deliberate misapplication. He uses the promise of divine protection by angels as a supposed guarantee for a reckless act, implying that God's commitment to His Son would necessitate a miraculous intervention even in a self-imposed perilous situation.
* **"and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."** This continues the quotation from Psalm 91:12, elaborating on the nature of the angelic protection. The imagery of angels bearing one up in their hands vividly portrays complete safety and prevention of harm. The devil presents this promise as absolute, removing the original context of God's protection for those walking in His ways, and instead, offers it as a license for a foolish and disobedient act, aiming to trick Jesus into demanding a sign from God.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 4:6 is rich with **Irony**, as the devil, a creature of rebellion against God, attempts to use God's own Word to tempt the Son of God to rebel. There is significant **Allusion** to Psalm 91, a psalm of divine protection, which the devil **Misquotes** or **Twists** by omitting the crucial phrase "to keep thee in all thy ways" ([Psalm 91:11](/psalm/91-11 "Psalm 91:11 - God's Promise of Protection")). This deliberate omission fundamentally alters the meaning, transforming a promise of protection for the obedient into an invitation for presumptuous testing. The **Symbolism** of the "pinnacle of the Temple" represents the height of human religious aspiration and pride, a place where a spectacular display of power would have immense public impact. The phrase "dash thy foot against a stone" is a **Metonymy** for suffering any harm or injury, emphasizing the completeness of the promised, though here misused, divine preservation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This temptation powerfully illustrates the devil's consistent strategy of deception, particularly his cunning misuse of God's Word. He does not deny the authority of Scripture but twists its meaning, isolating verses from their context to serve his malevolent purposes. This highlights a crucial theological principle: true faith does not test God by demanding miraculous interventions or engaging in reckless acts, but rather trusts in His sovereign will and wise provision within the bounds of obedience. Jesus' unwavering refusal to succumb to this temptation demonstrates His perfect trust in the Father and His commitment to fulfilling God's will, not His own, even when faced with the allure of a spectacular display of power. This encounter serves as a timeless warning against spiritual presumption and a call to diligent, contextual study of God's Word.

* [Deuteronomy 6:16](/deuteronomy/6-16 "Deuteronomy 6:16 - Do Not Test the LORD")
* [Luke 4:9-11](/luke/4-9-11 "Luke 4:9-11 - The Devil's Temptation and Misuse of Scripture")
* [1 Corinthians 10:9](/1_corinthians/10-9 "1 Corinthians 10:9 - Warning Against Testing Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The devil's temptation of Jesus at the pinnacle of the Temple serves as a profound lesson for believers in every age. It exposes the subtle yet dangerous nature of spiritual deception, particularly when it masquerades as piety or appeals to divine promises. We are often tempted to "test" God, perhaps by placing ourselves in morally compromising situations and expecting divine rescue, or by demanding specific outcomes as proof of His love or power. This passage calls us to a deeper, more mature faith—one that trusts God's character and wisdom implicitly, rather than seeking to manipulate His hand or force His intervention through presumptuous acts. It reminds us that God's promises of protection are for those who walk in His ways and live in obedience, not for those who seek to exploit His grace for self-glory or reckless abandon. Our faith should be marked by humble reliance, not arrogant demand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between genuine faith and presumptuous testing of God in my own life?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to take God's promises out of context or twist Scripture to justify my own desires or actions?**
* **What does Jesus' response to this temptation teach me about true obedience and trust in God's sovereignty?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of Scripture to avoid spiritual deception?**

### FAQ
**Why did the devil choose the pinnacle of the Temple for this temptation?**

Answer: The pinnacle of the Temple was a highly symbolic and visible location. It represented the spiritual heart of Judaism and a place where God's presence was believed to reside. By tempting Jesus to jump from such a prominent height, the devil aimed for a spectacular, public display of power that would force God's hand and perhaps instantly validate Jesus' Messiahship in a way that bypassed the path of suffering and obedience. It was a test designed to appeal to pride and the desire for immediate, undeniable proof, rather than patient trust in God's timing and method.

**How did the devil misquote Psalm 91:11-12?**

Answer: The devil quoted [Psalm 91:11-12](/psalm/91-11-12 "Psalm 91:11-12 - God's Promise of Protection") by omitting a crucial phrase: "to keep thee in all thy ways." The full verse in Psalm 91:11 states, "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." The omission of "in all thy ways" is significant because it removes the conditionality and context of God's protection. God promises to protect those who walk in His righteous paths, not those who deliberately put themselves in danger to test Him. The devil's partial quote turned a promise of divine care into an invitation for reckless presumption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 4:6, though a temptation, profoundly illuminates Christ's perfect obedience and His unique Sonship, foreshadowing His ultimate redemptive work. The devil's challenge, "If thou be the Son of God," directly attacks Jesus' identity, which was affirmed by the Father at His baptism ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - The Voice from Heaven at Jesus' Baptism")). Jesus' refusal to cast Himself down, despite the devil's twisted use of Scripture, demonstrates His unwavering trust in the Father's will and His rejection of any path to glory that bypasses divine obedience. This stands in stark contrast to the first Adam, who succumbed to temptation, leading to humanity's fall ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death Through Adam")). Jesus, the Second Adam, perfectly obeys, setting the pattern for His entire life of submission to the Father, culminating in His obedience unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He did not need to test God, for He perfectly embodied God's will. His victory over this temptation ensures that He is a faithful and merciful High Priest, one who has been tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")). Thus, His triumph over the devil's deceit secures the path for our salvation, providing a perfect example of faith and a powerful redeemer who conquered sin and temptation on our behalf.

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

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.