This fourth chapter starts with Jesus going into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the devil. There are a couple of allusions to Old Testament events in this testing. Adam and Eve were tested in the garden. And Israel was tested for 40 years in the wilderness. They both failed. Jesus, on the other hand, did not.
Matthew and Luke both record three specific temptations, each of which would have appealed to Jesus’ human nature. And in all three cases, Jesus responded from the Scripture. Can we respond to the temptation we face with Scripture?
Proclaiming the Kingdom
After the time in the wilderness, Jesus made Capernaum His headquarters in Galilee. And beginning from there, Jesus began His public ministry. He traveled around Galilee, proclaiming the kingdom of heaven, healing the sick, and casting out demons.
The kingdom of heaven (synonymous with ‘kingdom of God’ in the other gospels) is one of the most used expressions in the gospel of Matthew, being found 31 times. And, in three of them, Jesus is proclaiming that the kingdom of heaven is near. It is now, not some time off in the future.
As Jesus traveled through Galilee on His preaching and healing mission, He also began to call a select group of men to follow Him full-time. These disciples would receive more intensive training, preparing them for their role in the establishment of the Church. The first of these were two pairs of brothers who were called to leave their fishing nets behind and learn to fish for people.
Other Posts from this Chapter
Jesus’ Wilderness Temptation
Matthew 4:1
Don’t Take the Easy Way
Matthew 4:8-9
Two Responses to Satan’s Temptation
Matthew 4:10
A Light Shining In the Darkness
Matthew 4:16
Becoming Fishers of Men
Matthew 4:19
Following the Example of Jesus
Matthew 4:23
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