Jesus Is Tempted
Forty days in the wilderness
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Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
After his baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where he fasted for forty days and was hungry. The devil tempted him three times: to turn stones into bread, to throw himself down from the temple, and to worship the devil in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world. Each time Jesus answered with God's word, the devil left him, and angels came and cared for him.
Where it is in the Bible: Matthew 4:1-11
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. He has just been baptized.
- The devil: God's enemy, also called Satan and the tempter. He wants to turn people away from God.
- Angels: God's messengers. They come at the end.
Setting
- The wilderness, a dry and empty land in Judea. Then the top of the temple in Jerusalem, and a very high mountain.
When
- Right after Jesus's baptism, about 2,000 years ago. The story lasts forty days.
Before the Story
Jesus had just been baptized. A voice from heaven said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!" (3:17).
Long ago, God's people spent forty years in the wilderness. God led them out of Egypt. In the desert, they complained and did not trust him. God fed them with manna, bread from heaven (Exodus 16:4).
To tempt means to try to get someone to do wrong. A temptation is something that pulls you toward what is wrong.
Here's what you know that the devil is testing: God has just called Jesus his Son. Twice the devil says, "If You are the Son of God..." (4:3, 4:6).
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Into the wilderness | 4:1-2 | The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert. He is hungry |
| 2. Stones into bread | 4:3-4 | The first temptation |
| 3. The top of the temple | 4:5-7 | The second temptation |
| 4. All the kingdoms | 4:8-10 | The third temptation |
| 5. Angels | 4:11 | The devil leaves, and angels care for Jesus |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 5Into the Wilderness
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. There the devil would tempt him.
Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. To fast means to go without food for a time so you can pray.
After forty days, Jesus was hungry.
Scene 2 of 5Stones into Bread
The tempter came to Jesus. "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread" (4:3).
Jesus was hungry. He had the power to do it. But the devil wanted Jesus to use his power for himself, not to trust his Father.
Jesus answered with words from Scripture. "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (4:4).
These words come from Deuteronomy. Moses said them about the forty years in the wilderness, when God fed his people (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Scene 3 of 5The Top of the Temple
Then the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the holy city. He set Jesus on the pinnacle of the temple. A pinnacle is the highest point of a building.
"If You are the Son of God," he said, "throw Yourself down" (4:6).
This time the devil used Scripture too. He quoted Psalm 91: God will command his angels to catch you, "so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone" (4:6).
The devil twisted God's promise. He wanted Jesus to jump, to force God to prove his care.
Jesus answered, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (4:7). To put God to the test means to try to force God to prove himself.
Scene 4 of 5All the Kingdoms
Then the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain. He showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
"All this I will give You," he said, "if You will fall down and worship me" (4:9).
The devil offered Jesus a shortcut: power over the world, with no cross.
"Away from Me, Satan!" Jesus said. "For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'" (4:10).
Scene 5 of 5Angels
Then the devil left Jesus.
Angels came and took care of him.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Led by the Spirit into the wilderness" (4:1) | This was not an accident. God's Spirit led Jesus there. |
| "Forty days and forty nights" (4:2) | God's people were in the wilderness forty years and did not trust God. Jesus was there forty days and trusted his Father completely. |
| "If You are the Son of God" (4:3) | The devil tried to make Jesus doubt what God had just said at his baptism. |
| "Man shall not live on bread alone" (4:4) | God's word gives life. Jesus trusted his Father to care for him. |
| "Do not put the Lord your God to the test" (4:7) | Trusting God is different from daring God to prove himself. |
| "Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only" (4:10) | Only God deserves worship. Jesus would not take a shortcut to power. |
| "Angels came and ministered to Him" (4:11) | God did care for Jesus, in God's way and God's time. |
Back Then
The wilderness of Judea is hot, dry, and rocky. It lies between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. Few people lived there (Easton's Bible Dictionary).
The temple stood high above a valley. One corner of the temple area stood above a deep valley. Many think the "pinnacle" was a high point like that.
Jesus answered all three times from one book. All three answers come from Deuteronomy, the book where Moses reminds God's people of their years in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16, 6:13).
Literal Reader Alert
Is it a sin to be tempted? No. Jesus was tempted, and he never sinned. The letter to the Hebrews says Jesus "was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). Being tempted is not the same as doing wrong.
Can a person really go forty days without food? Matthew says Jesus did, and afterward he was hungry (4:2). Moses and Elijah also went forty days without eating (Exodus 34:28, 1 Kings 19:8). Please don't try this. Going without food for a long time is dangerous. If you want to fast, talk with a doctor and a trusted adult first.
Did the devil really own all the kingdoms of the world? The devil offered them, but that doesn't mean they were his to give. The devil lies (John 8:44). The whole world belongs to God.
The devil quoted the Bible. How is that possible? He did. He took a promise and twisted it. That's why Jesus answered, "It is also written" (4:7). Reading the whole Bible together helps us understand each part.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Jesus | Hungry | He had not eaten for forty days (4:2) |
| The devil | Sly | He tried to make Jesus doubt God's words (4:3, 4:6) |
| Jesus | Firm | He answered every temptation with God's word (4:4, 4:7, 4:10) |
| Jesus | Cared for | Angels came to help him (4:11) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What tempts you most? Tap one.
Doing things my way
That was the first temptation too: use your own power instead of trusting God. Jesus trusted his Father for you.
Proving myself
The devil wanted Jesus to prove he was God's Son. You don't have to prove yourself. God already calls you his child.
Wanting more
The devil offered Jesus everything. Jesus said God is enough. You can pray for that same trust.
I already gave in
Jesus didn't give in, and he did it for you. He forgives people who failed. You can tell him, and start again.
You Might Have Heard
"This story teaches us how to beat temptation: just quote the Bible like Jesus did."
What's true: God's word is strong help when we are tempted. Knowing it matters.
What the story is mainly about: Jesus is the Son of God who did not fail. God's people failed in the wilderness. Adam and Eve failed in the garden. We fail too. Jesus stood firm in our place. He won for us what we could not win ourselves.
Where Jesus is: Hungry and alone in the desert, saying no to the devil, for us. Later, the devil came back to test him again (Luke 4:13). Jesus never gave in.
Good News
Jesus was tempted in every way, but he did not sin. That means he understands, and he can help.
"Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:18).
When you are tempted, you are not alone. When you fall, Jesus did not. His win counts for you.
Jesus faced the devil and won, for you. He knows what temptation feels like, and he helps you.
Big Idea
Jesus faced the devil's temptations and trusted his Father completely. He won where we fail, and he helps us when we are tempted.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," Luther wrote that the devil is strong, but "one little word" can bring him down. That word is Christ himself.
In the Small Catechism, Luther explains the Lord's Prayer: "Lead us not into temptation." He teaches that God tempts no one. We pray that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our own sinful self do not lead us astray.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads the temptation of Jesus on the First Sunday in Lent every year. Year A reads Matthew 4:1-11. Year B reads Mark 1:9-15. Year C reads Luke 4:1-13.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Jesus Is Tempted, explained in plain words. Jesus is hungry and alone. The devil offers him three shortcuts. About 10 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/jesus-is-tempted/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church