FocusObedience through testing
Connection to the wholeJesus answers temptation with Scripture, resisting attempts to divert His mission before His Galilean ministry begins.
interpretation Luke 4:2
KJVBeing forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
Read it in context
Temptation in the wilderness
Start reading at Luke 4:1 (Luke 4:1 to Luke 4:13).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Jesus answers temptation with Scripture, resisting attempts to divert His mission before His Galilean ministry begins.
- 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
- 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
- 4:3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
- 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
- 4:5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
- 4:6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
- 4:7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
- 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
- 4:9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
- 4:10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
- 4:11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
- 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
- 4:13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 4:1–4:44): Jesus faces the devil's temptations and teaches synagogue hearers in Nazareth and Capernaum; Simon's household and crowds also receive His ministry. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Temptation in the wilderness. Read Luke 4:1 through Luke 4:13 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Jesus answers temptation with Scripture, resisting attempts to divert His mission before His Galilean ministry begins. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Temptation in the wilderness (Luke 4:1 to Luke 4:13). Start reading at Luke 4:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 4:1, Luke 4:13, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Other accounts of this event
The temptation of Jesus
Parallel accounts
Matthew and Luke arrange the reported temptations differently; Mark gives a brief account.
Related passages
- forty Exod 24:18 Exod 34:28 Deut 9:9,18,25 1 Kgs 19:8
- tempted Gen 3:15 1 Sam 17:16 Heb 2:18
- he did Esth 4:16 Jonah 3:7
- he afterward Matt 21:18 John 4:6 Heb 4:15
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 4
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The synagogue at Nazareth
Luke 4:14–30FocusScripture and rejection
Connection to the wholeJesus announces fulfilment from Isaiah, but the hearers' response turns hostile when His examples challenge their expectations.
interpretation Authority in Capernaum
Luke 4:31–44FocusDeliverance, healing, and preaching
Connection to the wholeJesus' works display authority, yet He insists on preaching the kingdom in other cities rather than remaining with one receptive crowd.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation Ministry and discipleship
Luke 4:14–9:50FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation The journey toward Jerusalem
Luke 9:51–19:27FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation Jerusalem and the temple
Luke 19:28–21:38FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.