Bible Commentary

Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 12. when Jesus had heard ] probably also because he had heard. It was a needful precaution against the cruel treachery of Herod Antipas. At Capernaum He would be close to the dominions of Herod Philip. John was cast into … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 4:12”

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Then the devil leaveth him – He left him for a time, Luk 4:13. He intended to return again to the temptation, and, if possible, to seduce him yet from God. Compare Joh 14:30; Luk 22:53. See the notes at Heb 12:4. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 4:11”

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 10. Get thee hence, Satan ] It is instructive to find these words addressed to Peter (ch. Mat 16:23) when he put himself as it were in the place … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 4:10”

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 9. All these things will I give thee ] Satan, the “prince of this world,” (Joh 7:31) claims the disposal of earthly thrones. This is more clearly brought out by St Luke (ch. Luk 4:6), “All … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 4:9”

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 8. an exceeding high mountain ] It is idle to ask what this mountain was, or in what sense Jesus saw the kingdoms of the world. It is enough that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 4:8”

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 7. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God ] Deu 6:16. The verse ends “as ye tempted him in Massah.” The reference to Massah (Num 20:7-12) shews the true meaning of the Saviour’s answer. Moses and Aaron displayed … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 4:7”

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. 6. it is written ] Psa 91:11-12. The words … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 4:6”

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 5. taketh him up ] The situation of Jerusalem is remarkably high. It was probably the loftiest capital in the ancient world. the holy city ] Jerusalem is so designated by St Matthew alone. a pinnacle … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 4:5”

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. 4. Jesus answers by a quotation from Deu 8:3. The chapter sets forth the teaching of the wilderness. The forty years were to the Jews what the forty … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 4:4”

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 3. that these stones be made bread ] The temptation is addressed to the appetite, Use thy divine power to satisfy the lusts of the flesh. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 4:3”