The Nature of Satan's Temptation
R. Gilpin. Luke 4:2-4 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungry.… 1. In these temptations, we may note there were external objects as well as insinuated suggestions. 2. These temptations were complex, consisting of many various designs, like a snare of many cords or nooses. When he tempted to turn stones to bread, it was not one single design, but many, that Satan had in prosecution. As distrust on one hand, pride on another, and so in the rest. The more complicated a temptation is, it is the greater. 3. These were also perplexing, entangling temptations. They were dilemmatical, such as might ensnare, either in the doing or refusal. 4. These temptations proceeded upon considerable advantages. His hunger urged a necessity of turning stones into bread. 5. These temptations were accompanied with a greater presence and power of Satan. 6. The matter of these temptations, or the things he tempted Christ to, were great and heinous abominations. 7. All these temptations pretended strongly to the advantage and benefit of Christ, and some of them might seem to be done without any blame; as to turn stones to bread, to fly in the air. 8. Satan urged some of them in a daring, provoking way — "If thou be the Son of God?" 9. These temptations seem to be designed for the engagement of all the natural powers of Christ; His natural appetite in a design of food; His senses in the most beautiful object, the world in its glory; the affections, in that which is most swaying, pride. 10. Some of these warranted as duty, and to supply necessary hunger, others depending upon the security of a promise — "He shall give His angels charge," &c. (R. Gilpin.) Parallel Verses KJV: Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. WEB: for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry.