Jesus Christ, temptation of

Repeated yet unsuccessful efforts made by Satan and by human beings to deflect Jesus Christ from his Father's will.

The wilderness temptations

and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.

Tempted to turn stones into bread

Matthew 4:2–3 parallel Luke 4:2–3

After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Tempted to abuse miraculous power

Matthew 4:5–6 parallel Luke 4:9–11 See also Matthew 12:38, Matthew 16:1 parallel Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16; John 2:18

Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. “If You are the Son of God,” he said, “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.’”

Tempted by the offer of an easy route to power

Matthew 4:8–9 parallel Luke 4:5–7

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”

Tempted to doubt he was God's Son

Matthew 4:3 parallel Luke 4:3 See also Matthew 4:6 parallel Luke 4:9; Matthew 27:40

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Temptation continued throughout Jesus Christ's life

Luke 22:28 Trials can include temptations.

You are the ones who have stood by Me in My trials.

Opponents tempted Jesus Christ with trick questions

See also Matthew 22:15 parallels Mark 12:13, Luke 20:20

Jesus Christ tempted to sidestep the cross

Matthew 16:21–23 parallel Mark 8:32–33 See also Matthew 26:39–44 parallels Mark 14:35–41, Luke 22:41–44; Matthew 27:40 parallel Mark 15:30

From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Jesus Christ steadfastly resisted temptation

Jesus Christ resisted temptation by trusting God's word

Matthew 4:4 parallel Luke 4:4 See also Matthew 4:7 parallel Luke 4:12; Matthew 4:10 parallel Luke 4:8

But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Jesus Christ resisted temptation by obeying his Father

Hebrews 5:7–8 See also Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42; Matthew 26:42

During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.

Results of Jesus Christ's temptations

Satan left Jesus Christ alone

Matthew 4:11 parallel Luke 4:13

Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.

Jesus Christ remained sinless

Hebrews 4:15 Refers to Jesus Christ as high priest and as sacrificial lamb. See also John 8:46; 1 Peter 2:22

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.

Jesus Christ helps those who are being tempted

Hebrews 2:18 See also Hebrews 4:14–16

Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.