Notes on the three temptations of Christ

Jesus suffered three major temptations in his encounter with Satan in the Desert.

Temptation 1: To use his Godly powers for himself. Jesus was hungry and Satan challenged him to turn the stones to bread. Mt 4:3 - 4

Temptation 2: Satan took Jesus to the highest point of the temple and challenged him to hurl himself down. Jesus refused to put God to the test. Mt 4:5 - 7

Temptation 3: Satan then offered Jesus dominion over the world if Jesus would bow down to Satan and Jesus refused saying that he would worship and serve only God. Mt 4:8 - 10

Obviously Jesus as God could beat the Devil but Jesus came to overcome sin and Satan as a man. So instead of Godly power, miracles, and earthly dominion Jesus in his humanity used preaching, teaching, and healing. Special thanks to John Bingham Geib.

References in Scripture

Matthew 4 1:1 - 11

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

4 Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.

6 "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.'"

7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

To Understand my faith better I have decided to construct these pages. They are strictly educational, non-commercial and to foster scholarly discussion. All Bible quotes are from the New International Version unless otherwise stated. I use the NIV because while not a perfect translation, certainly the best available. All mistakes are my own and if you differ from my thoughts I welcome your comments. J. Barry O'Connell Jr.