How does Matthew 4:5 connect with Psalm 91:11-12? Text in Focus “Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. ‘If You are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw Yourself down. For it is written: “He will command His angels concerning You,” and “They will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.” ’” “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Immediate Context in Matthew 4 • Jesus has just been declared God’s beloved Son (Matthew 3:17) and is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted (4:1). • The second temptation targets trust and identity: “If You are the Son of God…” • Satan quotes Scripture, aiming to twist it into a license for reckless presumption. Psalm 91: Original Assurance • Written as a promise of divine protection for those who “dwell in the shelter of the Most High” (Psalm 91:1). • Emphasizes God-initiated care, not self-initiated testing. • The phrase “in all your ways” (v.11) points to normal paths of obedience, not daring stunts to force God’s hand. How the Passages Connect • Direct Citation: Matthew 4:6 contains a verbatim extract of Psalm 91:11-12. • Selective Omission: Satan leaves out “in all your ways,” stripping the promise from its context of faithful living. • Misapplication: – Psalm 91 offers comfort; Satan wields it as provocation. – The psalm calls for trust; Satan urges presumption. • Jesus Corrects with Scripture: He replies, “It is also written: ‘Do not test the Lord your God’ ” (Matthew 4:7; cf. Deuteronomy 6:16), restoring proper interpretation. Key Takeaways • Knowing Scripture includes knowing context; half-truths invite whole errors. • Divine promises are not blank checks for self-willed risks. • Genuine faith rests; it does not manipulate. • Jesus models Scripture-saturated discernment, countering distortion with balance (see 2 Timothy 2:15). Related Passages • Deuteronomy 8:3—Jesus’ first response to temptation, underscoring Scripture’s sufficiency. • Hebrews 2:13—trusting God without coercing Him. • Psalm 37:23-24—God upholds the obedient in their ordered steps. Living It Out • Stay in the whole counsel of God’s Word, resisting cherry-picked verses that fuel selfish impulses. • Measure every interpretation against the character of God revealed throughout Scripture. • Follow Christ’s example: wield Scripture humbly, accurately, and in submission to the Father’s will. |
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