Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. I. A FEW GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS UPON THIS SUBJECT. 1. That we are to understand the account of the Evangelist as the history of an actual occurrence. 2. It may assist our thoughts to be reminded of the true character of our Lord's person. 3. That this history represents one great being, as the head of others, employed in the work of tempting men, and frustrating the designs of God. 4. Did Satan know the Person he assaulted? and could he have any hope of success? He knew something of our Lord's character, as appears from the question, "If Thou be the Son of God." But wicked minds often commit great blunders and engage in hopeless tasks. II. GREAT PRACTICAL LESSONS WHICH THE TRANSACTION APPEARS DESIGNED TO TEACH. 1. The deep humiliation of our Lord. 2. The variety of those temptations by which men are assaulted. (1) They are subject to necessities. (2) They are tempted to presumption. (3) Temptations to the worldly spirit. 3. We see here the means of effectually resisting temptation. 4. That temptation simply considered is not sin. (R. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.WEB: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. |
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