Matthew 4:3 - The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
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What does "Matthew 4:3" mean?
This verse, Matthew 4:3, describes the first temptation Jesus faced after fasting for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness. Let's break it down:
"The tempter came...": This refers to Satan, the adversary, whose goal is to lead people away from God and His will.
"...and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God...'": This is a crucial point. Satan doesn't directly deny that Jesus is the Son of God. Instead, he introduces doubt and challenges Jesus to prove His divinity. This is a common tactic: to sow seeds of doubt and question one's identity and purpose.
"...command that these stones become bread.'": This is the actual temptation. Satan is appealing to Jesus's physical hunger and offering a way for Him to use His divine power to satisfy His own needs. The temptation lies in:
Misusing power: Using divine power for personal comfort or gain, rather than for God's purpose.
Doubt in God's provision: Implying that if Jesus is truly the Son of God, He shouldn't be suffering from hunger. It suggests a lack of trust in God to provide.
Self-reliance over dependence on God: The temptation is to take matters into His own hands and act independently of God's will and timing.
In essence, the verse describes Satan tempting Jesus to prove His identity and to use His divine power for selfish gratification, rather than relying on God's plan and provision. It highlights the struggle between worldly desires and spiritual obedience, a struggle that all believers face.
Matthew 4:3 - The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
What does "Matthew 4:3" mean?
This verse, Matthew 4:3, describes the first temptation Jesus faced after fasting for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness. Let's break it down:
"The tempter came...": This refers to Satan, the adversary, whose goal is to lead people away from God and His will.
"...and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God...'": This is a crucial point. Satan doesn't directly deny that Jesus is the Son of God. Instead, he introduces doubt and challenges Jesus to prove His divinity. This is a common tactic: to sow seeds of doubt and question one's identity and purpose.
"...command that these stones become bread.'": This is the actual temptation. Satan is appealing to Jesus's physical hunger and offering a way for Him to use His divine power to satisfy His own needs. The temptation lies in:
Misusing power: Using divine power for personal comfort or gain, rather than for God's purpose.
Doubt in God's provision: Implying that if Jesus is truly the Son of God, He shouldn't be suffering from hunger. It suggests a lack of trust in God to provide.
Self-reliance over dependence on God: The temptation is to take matters into His own hands and act independently of God's will and timing.
In essence, the verse describes Satan tempting Jesus to prove His identity and to use His divine power for selfish gratification, rather than relying on God's plan and provision. It highlights the struggle between worldly desires and spiritual obedience, a struggle that all believers face.