Matthew 4:3

Translations

Modern

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Traditional

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Literal

And the one tempting, having come to Him, said, “If You are the Son of God, speak, that these stones might become loaves.”

Latin

Et accedens tentator dixit ei: Si Filius Dei es, dic ut lapides isti panes fiant.

Original

Greek

English

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Notes

Matthew 4:3–4

Jesus refused to use his supernatural power to get food, trusting God to provide it. The people of Israel relentlessly tested God with complaints and disbelief (see Exodus 16). But, Jesus refused to doubt God's faithfulness. Instead, he relied on God to meet his real need. This was the spiritual provision that comes from every word of God.

Matthew 4:1–11

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).

Theme notes and profiles

Satan Famine God or Satan? Jesus and Satan Temple Legislation as Theology

Events

Temptations of Jesusc. AD 26

Related verses

1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and that our labor might have been in vain.
Genesis 3:1–5
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”
Numbers 11:4–6
Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat?
Luke 22:31–32
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat.
Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Psalm 78:17–20
But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High.
Matthew 3:17
And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Revelation 12:9–11
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Job 2:4–7
“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.
Genesis 25:29–34
One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished.
Job 1:9–12
Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
Hebrews 12:16
See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright.

Matthew 4:3

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