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Atomic Bible
Matthew 4:1-11·~1 min

The Temptation of Jesus

The Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness for testing. After forty days of fasting, the devil presses him to act from hunger, spectacle, and power, but Jesus answers each time with Scripture. The devil departs, and angels attend him.

T1hen Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. 3The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4But Jesus answered, “It is written: 5Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. 6“If You are the Son of God,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written: 7Jesus replied, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” 10“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ” 11Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.

Section summaryLed by the Spirit into the wilderness, Jesus fasts and faces the devil’s testing at the level of hunger, trust, worship, and proof. Each challenge is answered from Scripture, and the encounter ends with the devil leaving and angels ministering to him.
Role in the chapterThis opening scene presents Jesus as obedient under pressure and rooted in Scripture before his public ministry begins.