A Second Temptation: Matthew 4:5–7

second temptation Christ

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b) Matt 4:5–7: For the next two temptations, the devil transported Jesus from the wilderness in a vision. No mountain vista can provide a view of “all the kingdoms of the world” at once (Matt 4:8).^[1]

Satan expertly used Scripture to tempt Christ to sin, quoting Ps 91:11–12.^[2]

For Jesus, this would have been a jump to safety, as God would have sent angels to rescue the messiah.^[3]

The temptation was two-fold: 1) to test his Father’s love, and; 2) to make a spectacular display to gain a messianic following without proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and suffering the consequences (Matt 16:13–23).^[4]

Christ responded by reciting Deut 6:16, another text from Israel’s journey through the wilderness.

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Read Matt 4:5–7. Why do you think the devil stopped before reciting Ps 91:13? How does this event demonstrate the necessity of reading Scripture in context? What can you do to protect yourself from false or misleading interpretations of the Bible which ask you to take a leap of faith?

Go to The Third Temptation (Matt 4:8–11)

[Related posts include Satan Tempts Christ (Matt 4:1–4); The Third Temptation (Matt 4:8–11); Serpents in the Ancient Near East (Gen 3:1); A World-Altering Conversation (Gen 3:2–5); Succumbing to Temptation (Gen 3:6); God Curses the Serpent (Gen 3:14); The First Good News (Gen 3:15); The Accuser (Job 1:6–11 and Job 2:1–7); Satan Addresses the Heavenly Council (Zech 3:1–5); God’s Servant, the Branch (Zech 3:6–10); A Most Cruel and Ignominious Punishment (Matt 27:26–37); Forsaken (Matt 27:38–49); Betrayed (Luke 22:1–6); A Murderer from the Beginning (John 8:42–44); The Death of God (John 19:28–30); and Guilty of Misconduct (Jude 8)]