Matthew 4:2

The Temptation of Jesus · Matthew 4:1–11
Read Matthew 4

Translations

Modern
After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.
Traditional
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Literal
And having fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Latin
Et cum jejunasset quadraginta diebus, et quadraginta noctibus, postea esuriit.

Original

Greek
English
After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.

Notes

Forty days and forty nights (see Exodus 24:18; 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8): God tested Israel for forty-years in the wilderness (Exodus 16:35; Deuteronomy 1:3).

This story of the temptation of Jesus shows clear parallels between Adam and Jesus. Jesus is the second Adam (see Romans 5:12–19) and the second Israel (Matthew 2:15). Unlike the ancient Israelites, Jesus completed Israel’s history by wandering through the desert without sinning. He showed he was the obedient Son of God by defeating Satan in spiritual battle.

Since Jesus faced temptation as a human, he can understand the temptations we encounter (see Hebrews 2:14–18; 4:15). He helps us overcome them as he did (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Events

Parallels

Mark 1:12–13 Luke 4:1–13

Glossary

Christ Fast, Fasting Gospel of Matthew Numbers and Numerology

Topics

Character of Christ: Resisting Temptation Fasting: During Forty Days: Jesus Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Our Lord Fasting: Prolonged: Jesus Forty: Days by Jesus Hunger of Jesus Jesus, the Christ: Temptation of Satan: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Temptation: General Scriptures Concerning Temptation: Often Arises Through: Poverty Temptation: Resistance To The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Hungering