Luke 4:3
The devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
The devil
In this passage, "the devil" refers to Satan, the adversary of God and humanity. The Greek word used here is "διάβολος" (diabolos), meaning "slanderer" or "accuser." This term highlights Satan's role as one who opposes and seeks to undermine God's work. Historically, Satan is seen as a fallen angel who rebelled against God, and his presence in this narrative underscores the spiritual battle between good and evil. In the broader scriptural context, the devil is often depicted as a tempter, as seen in the Book of Job and throughout the New Testament.

said to Him
The phrase "said to Him" indicates a direct confrontation between the devil and Jesus. The Greek verb "εἶπεν" (eipen) is used here, which is a common term for speaking or saying. This interaction is significant because it shows the devil's boldness in approaching Jesus, the Son of God, and attempting to sway Him from His divine mission. It also sets the stage for the ensuing temptation, highlighting the devil's strategy of using words to deceive and manipulate.

If You are the Son of God
This phrase is a conditional statement that challenges Jesus' identity. The Greek word "εἰ" (ei) translates to "if," introducing doubt and testing. The devil's use of "the Son of God" acknowledges Jesus' divine nature but simultaneously questions it, attempting to provoke Jesus into proving His identity through miraculous means. This temptation is reminiscent of the serpent's tactics in Genesis, where doubt is sown to lead to disobedience. Theologically, this challenge is significant because it targets the core of Jesus' mission and identity.

tell this stone
Here, the devil instructs Jesus to "tell this stone," using the Greek word "εἰπὲ" (eipe), a command form of "to say." The stone represents a mundane, earthly object, and the devil's challenge is for Jesus to use His divine power for personal gain. This temptation is rooted in the physical needs of Jesus, who was fasting and hungry, and it reflects a broader temptation to misuse divine authority for selfish purposes. The stone symbolizes the ordinary, and the devil's suggestion is to transform it into something extraordinary, thus testing Jesus' reliance on God.

to become bread
The phrase "to become bread" is the culmination of the devil's temptation, appealing to Jesus' physical hunger after fasting for forty days. The Greek word "ἄρτος" (artos) means bread, a staple of life and a symbol of sustenance. This temptation is not merely about satisfying hunger but about prioritizing physical needs over spiritual obedience. In the historical context, bread was essential for survival, and the devil's suggestion is to prioritize immediate physical satisfaction over trust in God's provision. This temptation echoes the Israelites' reliance on manna in the wilderness, where dependence on God was paramount. Jesus' response to this temptation, which follows in the subsequent verses, emphasizes the importance of spiritual nourishment over physical needs, aligning with the broader biblical theme of trusting in God's provision and timing.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is in the wilderness, having been led there by the Holy Spirit after His baptism. He is fasting for forty days and is being tempted by the devil.

2. The Devil
The tempter in this passage, the devil approaches Jesus with a challenge to prove His divinity by turning stones into bread.

3. The Wilderness
A desolate place where Jesus is fasting and praying, symbolizing a place of testing and spiritual preparation.
Teaching Points
The Nature of Temptation
Temptation often comes when we are vulnerable, as seen in Jesus' physical hunger. We must be vigilant in our spiritual lives, especially during times of weakness.

Reliance on God's Word
Jesus' response to temptation underscores the importance of knowing and relying on Scripture. We should immerse ourselves in God's Word to stand firm against the enemy's schemes.

Identity in Christ
The devil's challenge to Jesus' identity ("If You are the Son of God") reminds us to be secure in our identity as children of God, resisting the need to prove ourselves according to worldly standards.

Spiritual vs. Physical Needs
Jesus prioritizes spiritual sustenance over physical needs, teaching us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that our physical needs will be met.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jesus' response to the devil's temptation in Luke 4:3 demonstrate the importance of Scripture in our daily lives?

2. In what ways can we prepare ourselves spiritually to face temptations, especially during times of physical or emotional vulnerability?

3. How does understanding our identity in Christ help us resist the temptation to prove ourselves to others?

4. What are some practical ways we can prioritize spiritual nourishment over physical desires in our daily routines?

5. How can the account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness encourage us when we face our own trials and temptations? Consider connections to Hebrews 4:15.
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 4:1-4
This passage parallels Luke 4:3, providing another account of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, emphasizing His reliance on God's word.

Deuteronomy 8:3
Jesus later quotes this verse in response to the devil, highlighting the importance of spiritual nourishment over physical sustenance.

Hebrews 4:15
This verse connects to the temptation of Jesus, affirming that He was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin.
Affliction no Argument Against SonshipD. Dyke.Luke 4:3
All Christians have not the Same Degree of AssuranceBishop Hacket.Luke 4:3
Appositeness of the TemptationS. Baring-Gould, M. A.Luke 4:3
Bad BreadBishop Andrewes.Luke 4:3
Better than BreadBishop Hacker.Luke 4:3
Certitude of SalvationBishop Hacket.Luke 4:3
CrystallizationDean Stanley.Luke 4:3
Faith AssaultedD. Dyke.Luke 4:3
First, Shipwreck of Faith, Then of ObedienceBishop Andrewes.Luke 4:3
God not Served for Temporal ProfitBishop Hacker.Luke 4:3
HereafterBishop Hacker.Luke 4:3
How Many Sins the Devil Couched and Infolded in This OneD. Dyke.Luke 4:3
Joy and Comfort Ruined by DoubtBishop Hacket.Luke 4:3
Life not a NecessityH. Wace, D. D.Luke 4:3
Stones Turned into BreadD. Dyke.Luke 4:3
That Where Satan Carries on a Main Design and End He Bestows Most of His Pains and Skill in Rendering the Means to that End Plausible and TakingR. Gilpin.Luke 4:3
The Aim of Satanic Temptation not Always ApparentD. Dyke.Luke 4:3
The Beginning of TemptationCanon Vernon Hutton, M. A.Luke 4:3
The Devil's BreadBishop Hacker.Luke 4:3
The Devil's PrefaceC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 4:3
The Eye to Look to HeavenBishop Hacker.Luke 4:3
The First AssaultW. Landels, D. D.Luke 4:3
The First TemptationA. M. Fairbairn, D. D.Luke 4:3
The Force of an IfDean Bagot., Robert Robinson.Luke 4:3
The Plea of NecessityR. Gilpin., R. Gilpin.Luke 4:3
These StonesArchdeacon Farrar.Luke 4:3
The Temptation of ChristR.M. Edgar Luke 4:1-13
An ExampleBishop Hacker.Luke 4:2-4
Christ not Harmed by TemptationH. Wonnacott.Luke 4:2-4
Christ Tempted with GoodG. Macdonald, LL. D.Luke 4:2-4
Christ Tempted, Yet SinlessArch. bishop Trench.Luke 4:2-4
Christians TemptedBishop Hacker.Luke 4:2-4
Christ's Antipathy Against SinD. Dyke.Luke 4:2-4
Christ's Conflict and OursJ. J. Van Oosterzee, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
Comfort from Christ's TemptationRautenberg.Luke 4:2-4
Distress Favourable to TemptationBishop Andrewes.Luke 4:2-4
Face to Face with SatanW. Arthur, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
FastingA. B. Grosart, LL. D.Luke 4:2-4
FastingBishop Cowper.Luke 4:2-4
Fasting a Source of TrialJ. H. Newman, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
FastingsF. W. Krummacher, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
Fire in UsBishop Andrewes.Luke 4:2-4
Good Christians Tempted MostD. Dyke.Luke 4:2-4
How Should the Tempter Ever have Thought of Tempting with Any Hope of Overcoming the Son of GodA. B. Grosart, LL. D.Luke 4:2-4
Lessons from Our Lord's TemptationBishop S. Wilberforce.Luke 4:2-4
Let Us not Aid Our AccuserA. Farindon, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
Meaning of TemptJ. Owen, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
Oil Taken from the LampBishop Hacker.Luke 4:2-4
Reasons for the FastBishop Cowper.Luke 4:2-4
Satan a RealityBishop Hacker.Luke 4:2-4
Satan a TempterR. Gilpin.Luke 4:2-4
Satan Adapts His TemptationsCaryl.Luke 4:2-4
Satan Invades Holy DutiesBishop Andrewes.Luke 4:2-4
Satan is Sometime Incessant in TemptationsH. Gilpin.Luke 4:2-4
TemptationC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 4:2-4
TemptationA. B. Grosart, LL. D.Luke 4:2-4
Temptation a CorrectiveBishop Hacker.Luke 4:2-4
Temptation Associated with Sinless InferiorityD. Dyke.Luke 4:2-4
Temptation SanctifiedBishop Hacker.Luke 4:2-4
Temptations Adapted to Temperament and ConditionD. Dyke.Luke 4:2-4
Temptations in YouthH. Wonnacott.Luke 4:2-4
Temptations IncessantD. Dyke.Luke 4:2-4
Tempted Like as We AreW. M. Taylor, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
Tempter and AccuserBishop Cowper.Luke 4:2-4
The Best of Men not Exempt from TemptationLuke 4:2-4
The Design of Christ's TemptationBishop Andrewes.Luke 4:2-4
The Design of the Three TemptationsF. Godet, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
The Devil a Living FoeA. B. Grosart, LL. D.Luke 4:2-4
The Devil the Accuser and Defamer of GodA. Farindon, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
The Devil the Architect of EvilLuke 4:2-4
The Devil's Real Character DisclosedM. Faber.Luke 4:2-4
The Existence of Evil SpiritsJames Foote, M. A.Luke 4:2-4
The Fasting and Temptation of JesusH. Bushnell, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
The General Elements of the TemptationsCaleb Morris.Luke 4:2-4
The Hour of Triumph is the Hour of TemptationD. Parker Morgan, M. A.Luke 4:2-4
The Nature of Satan's TemptationR. Gilpin.Luke 4:2-4
The Nature of the Three TemptationsCaleb Morris.Luke 4:2-4
The Reality of Our Lord's Contest with SatanBishop S. Wilberforce.Luke 4:2-4
The Secret of VictoryCaleb Morris.Luke 4:2-4
The Temptation of ChristBishop S. Wilberforce.Luke 4:2-4
The Temptation of the FleshW. Clarkson Luke 4:2-4
The Three TemptationsH. Wace, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
The Wicked .Free Frets TemptationD. Dyke.Luke 4:2-4
Typical TemptationsJ. J. Van Oosterzee, D. D.Luke 4:2-4
We Will ConsiderCaleb Morris.Luke 4:2-4
Why Christ Would Submit to be TemptedR. Gilpin.Luke 4:2-4
Why is He Called the Devil?D. Dyke.Luke 4:2-4
Why was Christ Tempted?D. Dyke.Luke 4:2-4
People
Elias, Elijah, Eliseus, Elisha, Esaias, Isaiah, Jesus, Joseph, Naaman, Simon
Places
Capernaum, Galilee, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Judea, Nazareth, Sidon, Wilderness of Judea, Zarephath
Topics
Bread, Command, Devil, Evil, God's, Orders, Speak, Stone
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 4:3

     2218   Christ, Son of God
     8770   idolatry, in NT

Luke 4:1-3

     5564   suffering, of Christ

Luke 4:1-4

     4438   eating

Luke 4:1-12

     8225   devotion

Luke 4:1-13

     2078   Christ, sonship of
     4122   Satan, tempter
     5214   attack
     5379   law, Christ's attitude
     5804   charm
     6022   sin, causes of
     8729   enemies, of Christ

Luke 4:2-3

     5341   hunger

Luke 4:2-4

     2075   Christ, sinless

Luke 4:2-13

     2575   Christ, temptation
     5828   danger

Luke 4:3-4

     4418   bread

Library
Preaching at Nazareth
'And He began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled In your ears.'--LUKE iv. 21. This first appearance of our Lord, in His public work at Nazareth, the home of His childhood, was preceded, as we learn from John's Gospel, by a somewhat extended ministry in Jerusalem. In the course of it, He cast the money-changers out of the Temple, did many miracles, had His conversation with Nicodemus, and on His return towards Galilee met the woman of Samaria at the well. The report of these things,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Temptation
4 And Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2. Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days He did eat nothing: and when they were ended, He afterward hungered. 3. And the devil said unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread, 4. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. 5. And the devil, taking Him up into an high
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Temptation of Christ
Matthew 4:1-11 -- "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

Private Prayer, and Public Worship.
"And, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day."--ST. LUKE iv. 16. "He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there He prayed."--ST. MARK i. 35. These two texts set before us our Saviour's habit in regard to public and private spiritual exercise; and they suggest to us the question, What have we, on our part, to say of these two elements in our own life? These texts, we bear in mind, represent not something casual or intermittent in the life of our Lord. They
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

Salvation by Faith
"By grace are ye saved through faith." Eph. 2:8. 1. All the blessings which God hath bestowed upon man are of his mere grace, bounty, or favour; his free, undeserved favour; favour altogether undeserved; man having no claim to the least of his mercies. It was free grace that "formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into him a living soul," and stamped on that soul the image of God, and "put all things under his feet." The same free grace continues to us, at this day, life, and breath,
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Massillon -- the Small Number of the Elect
Jean Baptiste Massillon was born in 1663, at Hyères, in Provence, France. He first attracted notice as a pulpit orator by his funeral sermons as the Archbishop of Vienne, which led to his preferment from his class of theology at Meaux to the presidency of the Seminary of Magloire at Paris. His conferences at Paris showed remarkable spiritual insight and knowledge of the human heart. He was a favorite preacher of Louis XIV and Louis XV, and after being appointed bishop of Clermont in 1719 he
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3

Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision C. Arrival in Galilee. ^C Luke IV. 14; ^D John IV. 43-45. ^d 43 And after the two days [the two days spent among the Samaritans at Sychar] he went forth from thence [from Samaria] into Galilee. ^c 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee [Power of the Spirit here means its manifest use to perform miracles, rather than its presence, influence or direction. Jesus was always under the influence and direction of the Spirit, but did not previously perform miracles]: ^d
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Divine Healing.
The thirty-fifth chapter of Isaiah is a prophecy beautifully extolling the glories and virtues of Christ's redemptive works. "The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." "It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.... Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
The stay in Cana, though we have no means of determining its length, was probably of only short duration. Perhaps the Sabbath of the same week already found Jesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth. We will not seek irreverently to lift the veil of sacred silence, which here, as elsewhere, the Gospel-narratives have laid over the Sanctuary of His inner Life. That silence is itself theopneustic, of Divine breathing and inspiration; it is more eloquent than any eloquence, a guarantee of the truthfulness
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

His Training.
WITH the exception of these few but significant hints, the youth of Jesus, and the preparation for his public ministry, are enshrined in mysterious silence. But we know the outward condition and circumstances under which he grew up; and these furnish no explanation for the astounding results, without the admission of the supernatural and divine element in his life. He grew up among a people seldom and only contemptuously named by the ancient classics, and subjected at the time to the yoke of a foreign
Philip Schaff—The Person of Christ

Standing with the People
We have found two simple and axiomatic social principles in the fundamental convictions of Jesus: The sacredness of life and personality, and the spiritual solidarity of men. Now confront a mind mastered by these convictions with the actual conditions of society, with the contempt for life and the denial of social obligation existing, and how will he react? How will he see the duty of the strong, and his own duty? DAILY READINGS First Day: The Social Platform of Jesus And he came to Nazareth, where
Walter Rauschenbusch—The Social Principles of Jesus

Christ the Deliverer.
"And he [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the book, and found the place where it was written, The spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that
Frank G. Allen—Autobiography of Frank G. Allen, Minister of the Gospel

Quotations from the Old Testament in the New.
1. As it respects inspiration, and consequent infallible authority, the quotations of the New Testament stand on a level with the rest of the apostolic writings. The Saviour's promise was: "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth;" literally, "into all the truth," that is, as immediately explained, all the truth pertaining to the Redeemer's person and work. When, therefore, after the fulfilment of this promise, Peter and the other apostles expounded to their brethren
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

From his Commission to Reside Abroad in 1820 to his Removal to Germany in 1822
In 1822 John Yeardley went to reside in Germany. As his residence abroad constituted one of the most remarkable turns in his life, and exercised a powerful influence on the rest of his career, we shall develop as fully as we are able the motives by which he was induced to leave his native country. By means of his Diary we can trace the early appearance and growth, if not the origin, of the strong Christian sympathy he ever afterwards manifested with seeking souls in the nations on the continent of
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

Whether in Christ There were the Gifts?
Objection 1: It would seem that the gifts were not in Christ. For, as is commonly said, the gifts are given to help the virtues. But what is perfect in itself does not need an exterior help. Therefore, since the virtues of Christ were perfect, it seems there were no gifts in Him. Objection 2: Further, to give and to receive gifts would not seem to belong to the same; since to give pertains to one who has, and to receive pertains to one who has not. But it belongs to Christ to give gifts according
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

It is the Final Court of Appeal.
It is not a question of what I think, or of what any one else thinks--it is, What saith the Scriptures? It is not a matter of what any church or creed teaches--it is, What teaches the Bible? God has spoken, and that ends the matter: "Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven." Therefore, it is for me to bow to His authority, to submit to His Word, to cease all quibbling and cry, "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth." Because the Bible is God's Word, it is the final court of appeal in all things
Arthur W. Pink—The Divine Inspiration of the Bible

Epistle xiii. To Serenus, Bishop of Massilia (Marseilles) .
To Serenus, Bishop of Massilia (Marseilles) [128] . Gregory to Serenus, &c. The beginning of thy letter so showed thee to have in thee the good will that befits a priest as to cause us increased joy in thy Fraternity. But its conclusion was so at variance with its commencement that such an epistle might be attributed, not to one, but to different, minds. Nay, from thy very doubts about the epistle which we sent to thee it appears how inconsiderate thou art. For, hadst thou paid diligent attention
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Book x. On Numbers
In truth, we interpret, however briefly, these numbers of perfect names. The mystical account of these examples makes them more honored among the blessed. I. This number refers to the unity of the divinity; in the Pentatuch: hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is one. [Deut. 6:4] II. [This number refers] to the two testaments; in Kings: and He made in Dabir two cherubim in the measure of 10 cubits. [III(I) Kings 6:23] III. [This number refers] to the Trinity; in the epistle of John: three are those
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

The Doctrine of the Scriptures.
I. NAMES AND TITLES. 1. THE BIBLE. 2. THE TESTAMENTS. 3. THE SCRIPTURES. 4. THE WORD OF GOD. II. INSPIRATION. 1. DEFINITION. 2. DISTINCTIONS. a) Revelation. b) Illumination. c) Reporting. 3. VIEWS: a) Natural Inspiration. b) Christian Illumination. c) Dynamic Theory. d) Concept Theory. e) Verbal Inspiration. f) Partial Inspiration. g) Plenary Inspiration. 4. THE CLAIMS OF THE SCRIPTURES THEMSELVES: a) The Old Testament. b) The New Testament. 5. THE CHARACTER (OR DEGREES) OF INSPIRATION. a) Actual
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

The Cornish Tinners
Saturday, September 3.--I rode to the Three-cornered Down (so called), nine or ten miles east of St. Ives, where we found two or three hundred tinners, who had been some time waiting for us. They all appeared quite pleased and unconcerned; and many of them ran after us to Gwennap (two miles east), where their number was quickly increased to four or five hundred. I had much comfort here in applying these words, "He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor" [Luke 4:18]. One who lived near
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

Wesley Begins Field-Preaching
1739. March 15.--During my stay [in London] I was fully employed, between our own society in Fetter Lane and many others where I was continually desired to expound; I had no thought of leaving London, when I received, after several others, a letter from Mr. Whitefield and another from Mr. Seward entreating me, in the most pressing manner, to come to Bristol without delay. This I was not at all forward to do. Wednesday, 28.--My journey was proposed to our society in Fetter Lane. But my brother Charles
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by the Present Exaltation of Satan.
One of the greatest mysteries in all God's creation is the Devil. For any reliable information concerning him we are shut up to the Holy Scriptures. It is in God's Word alone that we can learn anything about his origin, his personality, his fall, his sphere of operations, and his approaching doom. One thing which is there taught us about the great Adversary of God and man, and which observation and experience fully confirms, is, that he is a being possessing mighty power. It would appear, from a
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

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