Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:The Temptation refers to the event in the life of Jesus Christ where He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. This significant event is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels:
Matthew 4:1-11,
Mark 1:12-13, and
Luke 4:1-13. It marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and serves as a profound demonstration of His sinlessness and divine authority.
Biblical Account:After His baptism by John the Baptist, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The Gospel of Matthew provides a detailed account: "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry" (
Matthew 4:1-2).
The Three Temptations:1.
Turning Stones to Bread: The first temptation addressed Jesus' physical hunger. Satan challenged Him, saying, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread" (
Matthew 4:3). Jesus responded by quoting Scripture, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (
Matthew 4:4; cf.
Deuteronomy 8:3).
2.
The Pinnacle of the Temple: In the second temptation, Satan took Jesus to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, urging Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone'" (
Matthew 4:6; cf.
Psalm 91:11-12). Jesus countered with Scripture, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test'" (
Matthew 4:7; cf.
Deuteronomy 6:16).
3.
The Kingdoms of the World: The final temptation involved the offer of all the kingdoms of the world. Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms and their splendor, promising them to Him if He would bow down and worship him. Jesus firmly rejected this, declaring, "Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only'" (
Matthew 4:10; cf.
Deuteronomy 6:13).
Theological Significance:The Temptation of Jesus is a pivotal moment that underscores His role as the second Adam. Unlike the first Adam, who succumbed to temptation in the Garden of Eden, Jesus remained obedient and sinless. His victory over Satan in the wilderness prefigures His ultimate victory over sin and death through His crucifixion and resurrection.
Christ's Sinlessness:The Temptation highlights the sinlessness of Christ, affirming His qualification as the spotless Lamb of God.
Hebrews 4:15 states, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin" .
Empowerment by the Spirit:The event emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' ministry. Jesus was "full of the Holy Spirit" when He entered the wilderness (
Luke 4:1), and He returned "in the power of the Spirit" (
Luke 4:14), ready to begin His public ministry.
Scriptural Authority:Jesus' responses to Satan's temptations underscore the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. By quoting the Word of God, Jesus demonstrates the power of Scripture to combat temptation and guide believers in righteousness.
Conclusion:The Temptation of Jesus serves as a model for believers in resisting temptation and relying on the Word of God. It affirms Jesus' identity as the Son of God and His mission to redeem humanity.
Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia
The Temptation- The Tempter. The woman was approached by the serpent, Devil (Genesis 3:1;Revelation 12:9;Revelation 20:2).
- Means. He approached her by speaking in her own language and by Falsely interpreting the law of God (Genesis 3:1-5;John 8:44).
- Points Tempted. The woman was tempted in
- the lust of the flesh,
- the lust of the eye,
- and the pride of life (Genesis 3:1-6;1John 2:16).
- Results. The woman was deceived (211 Corinthians 11:3); the man was not (1 Timothy 2:13-15), but the eating of the fruit brought the speedy sentence of death (Genesis 2:16,17;Romans 5:12-19). All the guilty parties were involved in the results.
- General Results.
- The serpent was doomed to disgrace and destruction;
- the woman was doomed to sorrow in child-bearing and subserviency to her husband;
- and the man was doomed to sorrow, disappointment, and hard labor (Genesis 3:14-19).
- Remote Results. Man's will power was doubtless weakened by Transgression, but he still had the power to partake of the tree and Life and live forever (Genesis 3:22-24). His memory was doubtless weakened by sin, but he remembered all the circumstances of the temptation and Transgression (Genesis 3:1-13). His reason was doubtless weakened by disobedience, but he was able to attempt to shift the responsibility From his shoulders when confronted with the results of his crime (Genesis 3:12,13).
- Causes of Sin and Death. Sin, death, and their terrible consequences were brought about by
- hearing,
- believing,
- and yielding to a lie.
Beware!
Greek
3986. peirasmos -- an experiment, a trial,temptation... an experiment, a trial,
temptation. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
peirasmos Phonetic Spelling: (pi-ras-mos') Short Definition: trial, testing
...3803. pagis -- a trap, snare
... snare. From pegnumi; a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively,
a trick or statagem (temptation) -- snare. see GREEK pegnumi....
Strong's Hebrew
4531. maccah -- despair... 4530, 4531. maccah. 4531a . despair. Transliteration: maccah Phonetic Spelling:
(mas-saw') Short Definition:
temptation.
temptation, trial
...Library
TheTemptation
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XII THETEMPTATION.... And when the devil had ended all
thetemptation, he departed from Him for a season.' "Luke 4:1-13....
In Despondency andTemptation.
... Songs of the Cross and Consolation. IN DESPONDENCY ANDTEMPTATION.... By severe
temptation, Gladly would he keep from thee Jesu's consolation....
TheTemptation of Christ
... TheTemptation of Christ. Matthew 4:1-11 " "Then was Jesus led up of the
Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil....
TheTemptation in the Wilderness.
... THETEMPTATION IN THE WILDERNESS.... or, if Satan might be so foolish, wherein
could suchtemptation so presented have tempted our Lord?...
Of ResistingTemptation
... ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE CHAPTER XIII Of resistingtemptation....
And they who endured nottemptation became reprobate and fell away....
The Thirteenth Chapter: ResistingTemptation
... BOOK ONE. THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL The Thirteenth Chapter:
ResistingTemptation. SO LONG as we live in this world...
Temptation
... SERMON VII.TEMPTATION. Eversley, 1872. Chester Cathedral, 1872.... Let me say a
few words to-day about a solemn subject, namely,Temptation....
Power andTemptation
... LXVIII POWER ANDTEMPTATION. Matthew iv.1-11.... The sooner that decision is made the
better. Some people have never quite done with thattemptation of the devil....
Temptation.
... MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS. 974. "Temptation. 974. LM Bowring.Temptation.
1 Oh, what a struggle wakes within, When in the spirit's...
Letter vi.Temptation.
... LETTERS, &c. LETTER VI.Temptation. "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into
temptation." Matthew 26:41. MY DEAR SISTER,. That there...
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