BOOK OF
MATTHEW
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BY CHAPTER, VERSE BY VERSE BIBLE STUDY
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MATTHEW STUDY #4 [Mt 4:1 - 4:25]
NOTE: In this chapter we will cover the tempting of Jesus by satan in the wilderness. It should be pointed out that there were actually two separate temptings of Jesus in the wilderness by satan that took place over a forty day period (The number forty in Biblical mathematics representing: trials, testings, and probations). Below in Matthew chapter four we will cover the second set of three temptings. In Luke chapter four we see the first set of three temptings. At the end of the first set of three temptings in Luke we see the devil "Depart him (Jesus) for a season." And at the end of the second set of three temptings in Matthew, we see "The devil leaveth him (Jesus), and behold, angels came and ministered to him." The specifics of the two separate temptings vary in many regards and the differences will be pointed out along the way as they present themselves.
CHAPTER 4
Matt 4:1-25
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit*1 into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil*2.
Explanations from above verse: *1 led up of the Spirit = Led by The Holy Spirit Himself. *2 tempted of the devil = Tempted means to be tried or tested. I assure you that Jesus did not find satan tempting. Jesus had to be tempted just as Adam was tempted in the garden of Eden, for in [1st Corr 15:45-47] we see that Adam from the Garden was the first man Adam, and Christ was the second Adam; the first was earthly and the second was of the spirit.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights*1, he was afterward an hungred.
Explanations from above verse: *1 forty days and forty nights = In Biblical numerology, the number forty represents: trials, testings, and probations. We see this number forty, interwoven by the Devine influence of The Holy Spirit, throughout the Bible, both Old and New Testaments:
- The rains of Noah's came forty days and forty nights [Gen 7:12].
- Moses was forty days with God in the Mount receiving the tablets of stone [Duet 9:9].
- Israel was led forty days in the wilderness [Duet 29:5].
- Jesus spent forty days after the resurrection instructing the Apostles [Acts 1:2-3].
- The number forty appears some 153 times in the Holy Scriptures.
After Jesus' fasting for the forty days He was in a weakened state. This was done to show us that we can overcome satan's attempts to tempt or try us in our daily lives. The lesson to be learned from this event is to always combat satan's lies with the truth of Biblical Scripture. Jesus' only replies to satan will be to quote scripture from the Bible to him. This is why it is so important for us to learn the Scriptures of God through competent Bible study. In doing this we can be prepared to stand against satan's lies and the temptings and seductions of false doctrines.
We will see in this episode just how important it is to personally know and understand the Word of God, and how through the knowing of it, we can avoid being deceived by satan and his lies. Oh but if only those who believe in the false rapture theory and the many other traditions of men that have crept into the Word of God, would dutifully study their Bible, instead of listening to the false preachers/teachers who prostitute the rapture lie into the plan of God; then they could avoid the inevitable worshiping of the false christ that the rapture theory leads all it's adherents into. For more on satan's ultimate plan of deception in the final generation (which we now live in). see the Antichrist in-depth Bible study for a complete study on satan's prophesied arrival on this earth as the false christ in our near future.
3 And when the tempter came to him*1, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread*2.
Explanations from above verse: *1 the tempter came to him = The tempter (satan) came at Jesus in the wilderness, just as the serpent (satan) came at Adam in the Garden of Eden. *2 these stones be made bread = In the first tempting, in [Luke 4:3] satan used the singular "Command this stone that it be made bread." Jesus was hungry because of His forty day fast from food, and satan was tempting Him to break the fast that He was offering to God as an obedient sacrifice.
4 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*1.
Explanations from above verse: *1 It is written. . . = Jesus answered satan with the Holy Scriptures. Jesus was quoting [Duet 8:3]. Jesus sets for us the example of how to deal with satan, you use the scriptures, but of course you must know the scriptures to use them. How are you doing? Will you have the defense through the scriptures that God provided for you when the time comes that you will need it?
Deut 8:3
3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (KJV)
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Explanations from above verse: Here comes the second of three temptings in this second episode. In this one we will see one of satan's favorite tools to deceive Christians, he adds to and takes away from scripture. This was harshly warned against by Jesus Christ Himself in [Rev 22:18-19]. Those who teach lies to God's children like rapture theories and other false doctrines will have 'hell' to pay. The word rapture does not appear anywhere in the Bible, but satan's false teachers twist certain scriptures to sell the lie to Christians who are either too lazy to study God's Word for themselves, or are too weak and insecure to stand up to satan and his henchmen.
Rev 22:18-19 (Christ speaking)
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (KJV)
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time*1 thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Explanations from above verse: *1 at any time = In this verse satan is quoting from [Psalms 91:11-12], but satan adds the three words "at any time" to the verse which changes the entire meaning of it. Below we see the true words to the verse that satan was referring to which he corrupted when he quoted it to Christ by adding the three words to it. I will place an apostrophe ( * ) in between the words that satan inserted "at any time":
Ps 91:11-12
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest * thou dash thy foot against a stone. (KJV)
Of course you notice that the three words "at any time "do not appear in the real verse of [Psalms 91:11-12]. By satan adding these words, he changed the meaning of the verse to say that any time you do something haphazard and dangerous like jumping off the top of the temple, that God and His Angels will save you. This was an attempt on Jesus' life, satan was tempting Jesus to jump to His death. For God will protect you in unexpected times of trouble, but He not protect someone who does something foolish and irresponsible, and flaunts the protection of God. Jumping off of a high place and expecting God to catch you is foolish and irresponsible.
This supplied verse is from the King James Version Bible, and it is as it appears in the original manuscripts. All the current newer versions of the Bible have for reasons unknown, omitted satan's addition to the scriptures, thus robbing us of the valuable lesson that God intended that we learn from it; The lesson is that satan will twist scripture to deceive you, just like the false teachers are doing to you with their perversion of the Sacred Scriptures today for their own gain. It is for reason's like this that we at Watchmen Bible Study Group use the King James Bible for all our study. If you don't have a 'good old' King James Version Bible (Large print edition).
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Explanations from above verse: Once again Jesus sets the example, He quotes scripture back at satan. You will notice that Jesus does not argue with satan, and we are not to argue with satan either. When you argue with satan you are conversing with him, we are not to converse with satan. When you converse with satan you leave yourself vulnerable to being deceived, for satan is a supernatural entity possessing great powers of deception. Here Jesus quotes [Duet 6:16]:
Deut 6:16
16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah. (KJV)
8 Again, the devil taketh him up*1 into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Explanations from above verse: *1 Again, the devil taketh him up = The manuscripts read as: "The devil taketh Him again" implying that he had taken Him there before, likewise in verse seven above where it states: "It is written again." Both implying that this was done prior to it being done here. As we have been pointing out, this tempting in the book of Matthew is the second of two separate temptings, each consisting of three similar individual temptations.
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee*1, if thou wilt fall down*2 and worship*3 me.
Explanations from above verse: *1 All these things will I give thee = Believe it or not, satan did have the power to grant Christ this, but only temporarily, as satan has been given certain power on the earth. Satan can empower his followers on the earth temporarily, although they will pay with their eternal souls. Some of satan's many names are: "The prince of this world" [Jn 12:31], "The prince of the power of the air" [Eph 2:2]. . . The title 'Prince' denotes dominion, but not to fear because Christ is the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" [Rev 19:16]. In [Rev 13:11-18] we see that satan (whom is the second beast, in the role of antichrist) does have power over the earth, that is until The true Messiah Jesus Christ returns at His Second Advent. This make one wonder how many rich and powerful men on this earth have traded forty or fifty years of delicious living for their eternal souls, does it not? *2 wilt fall down = This is not in the first tempting in Luke. *3 worship = Pay homage to.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan*1: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Explanations from above verse: *1 Get thee hence, Satan = Here Jesus rebukes satan and incarcerates him in Heaven, being held in chains by Archangel Michael. Don't be alarmed that satan is in Heaven, for Jesus sent him to be behind Him, and we all know that Jesus is now in Heaven seated at the right hand of God. Satan is incarcerated in a place of holding in Heaven till the last five months of this earth age, when he will be cast out of Heaven by Archangel Michael [ Rev 12:7-12]. The time for "Hell" is not yet. And Heaven is simply wherever God is. Since this rebuking, satan cannot walk the earth physically, but his evil spirit can influence us upon the earth. See the Antichrist in-depth Bible study for a more complete description of the prophesied series of events that will culminate the end time generation of which we now live in. In this verse Jesus quotes to satan the scripture of [Duet 6:13]:
Deut 6:13
13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. (KJV)
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Explanations from above verse: Here we see satan has been finally dismissed and Jesus is attended to by the Angels. This is the end of all the temptings, and it was the Lord who ended it with authority.
Through the name of Jesus Christ we have authority over the devil and every negative spirit, but ONLY through the name of Jesus Christ. When satan bothers you, simply tell him and anything negative to leave you, in the name of Jesus Christ. You MUST use the name of Jesus Christ or satan will "eat you for lunch." Remember, always invoke the Name of Jesus Christ whenever you send satan and his evil spirits away from you!!! It is not because of us that satan leaves, and he must leave when properly dismissed, but it is because of the power of the Sacred name of Jesus Christ that satan flees.
In the first tempting in the book of Luke, satan left on his own accord and he only left for a short time:
Luke 4:13
13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. (KJV)
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John*1 was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
Explanations from above verse: *1 John = John the Baptist. John will eventually be beheaded by Herod the Tetrarch (loosely defined as a King) [Matt 14:1-11].
13 And leaving Nazareth, he
came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the
borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by Esaias*1 the prophet, saying,
15 The land of
Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea,
beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which
sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the
region and shadow of death light is sprung up*2.
Explanations from above verses: *1 Esaias = Is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Isaiah. This is the same Isaiah that wrote the Old Testament Book of the Prophet Isaiah. *2 The verses above in Italics are scripture from the Old Testament that were now fulfilled in Christ. Quoted from [Isaiah 9:1-2], written in 630 BC, and fulfilled here in AD 26 by the Messiah Jesus Christ.
17 From that time Jesus began
to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the
sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter*1, and
Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were
fishers.
19 And he saith unto them,
Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men*2.
20 And they
straightway left their nets, and followed him*3.
Explanations from above verses: Jesus now begins to call His twelve Disciples (who would later become the twelve Apostles). The word Apostle means 'One sent forth'. The disciples become Apostles after Jesus sends them out to preach, [Luke 9:1 & 9:10] will show you the change from Discipleship to Apostleship. *1 Simon called Peter = This is the same Peter that would deny Christ three times [Mt 26:73-75]. *2 fishers of men = They once caught fish, from now on they will gather souls for Christ unto salvation. *3 they straightway left their nets, and followed him = They immediately left everything, family, friends, and business to serve Christ. These men were pre-ordained and chosen by God from of before.
In those days they did not have modern electronic media to reach people. They had to travel by foot to reach people with the Word of God. Today we can stay with our families and still spread the Word of God. But we still must always place God above even our own loved ones. For God is our nearest relative, He created our very souls, and He is a jealous God [Ex 20:5]. Below is a scripture where Christ reaffirms that He and His Father (God) must come first in the hearts of all who wish to serve Him. There is a poor job of translation done on one of the words in the below scripture, the word translated 'hate' should read 'love less.'
We have supplied the definition of the word 'hate' as it is used in the below scripture from the Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. The Strong's Concordance is one of the most valuable tools for the non-Hebrew or Greek speaking Bible student. It allows the English reader to discover the original meanings of the words in the Bible before they were translated into the English language of the King James Bible. You can find a Strong's Concordance in any Bible bookstore, but make sure it is a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (click to review). We offer a direct link to our discount book distributer for the convenience of ordering for our readers. No matter where you get one, a serious Bible student must have one!
Luke 14:26
26 If any man come to me, and hate*1 not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (KJV)
Explanation from above verse: *1 hate = Greek word #3404 miseo (mis-eh'-o); To detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:
21 And going on from thence, he
saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his
brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets;
and he called them.
22 And they
immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him*1.
23 And Jesus went about all
Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel
of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner
of disease among the people.
Explanations from above verse: Jesus continues to call the twelve. *1 they immediately left. . . = Once again we see that when called, these men instantly obeyed.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers*1 diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick*2, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Explanations from above verse: *1 divers = various kinds. This is the way they spell 'various' in the Bible. *2 lunatick = This is the most powerful of negative spirits. The word 'lanatick' comes from 'lunar' meaning moons or night. Satan is always of the night and darkness, he is the opposite of Jesus whom is the light [Jn 1:1-5 & Jn 8:12]. It was the spirit of lunatick that the Disciples could not cast out of the man's son [Mt 17:14-21], Jesus had to do it. Nevertheless, the Disciples could have cast it out had they gone about it properly and of course only in the name of Jesus Christ.
In this verse we see that there two kinds of affliction, one is a medical abnormality, and one is a 'possession' by negative spirits. In other words, all disease and sickness is not the work of satan; sometimes, due to chemical imbalances or infections, people develop or are born with certain 'abnormalities.' Devils can be cast out, but diseases cannot, they must be cured; however, Christ is able to heal all, both medical and spiritual, if it be His will to.
25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. (KJV)
Explanations from above verse: Christ' ministry is now growing by 'leaps and bounds.' This brings us to the end of the fourth chapter, next, in the fifth chapter we will see the Sermon on the Mount.
End of chapter four
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