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Matthew 4

25 verses

TL;DR

Jesus endures Satan’s temptations, then establishes his ministry in Galilee, calling disciples and healing the sick.

Summary

After forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Jesus is tempted by the devil but resists by quoting Scripture, demonstrating his obedience and identity as the Son of God. The devil attempts three temptations—physical need, testing divine protection, and offering worldly power—each thwarted by Jesus’ steadfast faith. Jesus then leaves the wilderness, hears of John’s imprisonment, and moves from Nazareth to Capernaum in Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy of light for the darkness. He calls his first disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, inviting them to leave their nets and follow him. Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching, preaching the kingdom of heaven, and healing diverse afflictions, gaining widespread acclaim across Syria and drawing multitudes from neighboring regions.

Outline
  1. Jesus’ temptation and victory over Satan
  2. The call of the first disciples and beginning of ministry
  3. Jesus’ itinerant ministry of teaching and healing
Themes
Obedience to ScriptureFaith and identity as Son of GodMissionary calling and discipleship
Keywords
temptationScriptureobediencefaithdiscipleshipkingdomhealinglightdarkness
People
JesusSatanJohn (prisoner)IsaiahSimon PeterAndrewJamesJohn (son of Zebedee)Zebedee
Places
wildernessJerusalem (holy city)pinnacle of the templehigh mountainGalileeNazarethCapernaumsea coastZabulonNephthalimbeyond Jordansea of GalileeDecapolisJerusalemJudeaSyria
Things
fastingstone to breadangelskingdoms of the worldlightdarknessnetsshipgospel of the kingdomsicknessdisease
Key Verses
  • Matthew 4:4: Jesus uses Scripture to counter Satan’s temptation of physical need.
  • Matthew 4:7: Rejection of the devil’s challenge to test divine protection.
  • Matthew 4:10: Affirmation of exclusive worship to God.
  • Matthew 4:17: Declaration of the imminent kingdom of heaven.
  • Matthew 4:22: Jesus’ first call to disciples, illustrating the call to follow.
Questions
  • How does Jesus’ use of Scripture in resisting temptation model Christian faith?
  • What does the calling of the first disciples reveal about Jesus’ expectations for followers?
  • In what ways does the prophecy of Isaiah link to Jesus’ ministry in Galilee?
  • How do the healing accounts reflect Jesus’ mission to bring hope?
  • What role does the wilderness play in shaping Jesus’ identity?
Sentiment

positive
Jesus triumphs over temptation, initiates a compassionate ministry, and spreads hope.