Then the devil left Him
This phrase marks the conclusion of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, a pivotal moment in His early ministry. The departure of the devil signifies Jesus' victory over temptation, highlighting His sinless nature and His ability to resist Satan's schemes. This event fulfills the prophecy of Genesis 3:15, where the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head. The devil's departure also underscores the authority of Jesus, as even the tempter must submit to Him. This moment parallels James 4:7, which encourages believers to resist the devil, promising that he will flee from them.

and angels came
The arrival of angels signifies divine approval and support for Jesus after His ordeal. Throughout Scripture, angels are often depicted as messengers and servants of God, providing assistance and delivering messages to His people. In the Old Testament, angels ministered to figures like Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-7), offering sustenance and strength. Their presence here reaffirms Jesus' divine sonship and the heavenly endorsement of His mission. This moment also reflects the spiritual reality that God provides for His people, especially after trials and temptations.

and ministered to Him
The term "ministered" suggests that the angels provided for Jesus' physical needs, likely offering food and comfort after His 40-day fast. This act of ministering highlights the compassion and care of God for His Son, ensuring that Jesus was restored and strengthened for the ministry ahead. The Greek word used here, "diakoneo," implies service and assistance, a theme that resonates throughout Jesus' teachings on servanthood (Mark 10:45). This moment foreshadows the ultimate service Jesus would provide through His sacrificial death and resurrection, offering spiritual nourishment and salvation to humanity.

1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus has just completed a period of fasting and temptation in the wilderness.

2. The Devil
The adversary who tempted Jesus three times, attempting to derail His mission.

3. Angels
Heavenly beings who came to minister to Jesus after the devil left Him.

4. Wilderness
The desolate place where Jesus fasted for forty days and was tempted by the devil.Resisting Temptation
Jesus' victory over temptation demonstrates the power of Scripture and reliance on God. Believers are encouraged to use Scripture as a tool to resist the devil.

Divine Assistance
Just as angels ministered to Jesus, God provides help and support to His people in times of need. Believers can trust in God's provision and care.

Spiritual Warfare
The reality of spiritual warfare is evident in this passage. Christians are reminded to be vigilant and prepared to face spiritual battles.

Endurance and Reward
Jesus' endurance through temptation resulted in divine comfort. Believers are encouraged to persevere through trials, knowing that God rewards faithfulness.

The Role of Angels
Angels are active participants in God's plan, serving and ministering to believers. This passage reassures Christians of the unseen support they have.(11) Angels came and ministered unto him.--The tenses of the two verbs differ, the latter implying continued or repeated ministrations. Here also we are in the region of the spiritual life, and must be content to leave the nature of the ministration undefined, instead of sensualising it as poets and artists have done. What is instructive is, that the help of their service, the contrast between the calm and beauty of their presence and that of the wild beasts and of the Tempter, comes as the reward of the abnegation which refused to make their ministry the subject of an experimental test. In this case, also, we find strange coincidences. The fact recorded by St. Matthew explains the words recorded by St. John (John 1:51) as uttered but a few days later, and which speak of "the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." The words with which St. Luke ends his record of the Temptation may well be noticed here: "And having finished every temptation, the devil departed from him for a season" (literally, till a season). The conflict was not yet ended, and was from time to time renewed--now in the passionate prayer of the disciple (Matthew 16:22), now in the open enmity of the prince of this world (John 12:31; John 14:30).

Verse 11. - The devil leaveth him; Luke, "departed from him for a season." For though there are crises of temptation, the devil never finally gives up his attack while the object of it is still on earth. May not even direct assaults be included in the remarkable epitome of Messianic life found in Luke 22:28? And, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Kept back before both by the presence of the evil one, and by the need for the God-Man to contend alone, they now came up to him and ministered to him so long as they could be helpful (for the change of tenses, cf. Matthew 8:15). Mark however (Mark 1:13) implies that they had been present at other times than after this last crisis. Ministered; possibly supplying his bodily need (cf. Matthew 8:15; Luke 10:40); but as, after all, bodily sustenance is but secondary to spiritual, the latter must at least be included (cf. Hebrews 1:14). In Luke 22:43 the "strengthening" would appear to be of his whole nature within and without, through the medium of his spirit.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then
Τότε (Tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

devil
διάβολος (diabolos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1228: From diaballo; a traducer; specially, Satan.

left
ἀφίησιν (aphiēsin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

Him,
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

angels
ἄγγελοι (angeloi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

came
προσῆλθον (prosēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4334: From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

ministered
διηκόνουν (diēkonoun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1247: From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (figuratively) teacher; technically, to act as a Christian deacon.

to Him.
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 4:11 Then the devil left him and behold (Matt. Mat Mt)