Devine Scripture

Matthew 4:1

What does Matthew 4:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 4:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 4:1 means

After His baptism, Jesus was supernaturally guided by the Holy Spirit into a desolate wilderness. This was not a random journey but a divine leading, with the specific purpose of encountering and overcoming the temptations of the devil. This pivotal event marks the beginning of Jesus' active ministry and serves as a crucial test of His unwavering obedience to God's will.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then Jesus was sent by the Spirit into the waste land to be tested by the Evil One.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Then Jesus was led up to the wilderness by the Spirit, to be tempted by the Devil,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then Jesus was carried up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted of the devil:

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' baptism, which signified the Father's affirmation and the Spirit's anointing for His public ministry. The wilderness temptation is a direct prelude to His preaching, establishing His divine authority and perfect humanity before He begins His public work. It shows that even the Son of God faced and conquered trials, setting a pattern for His disciples.

v.1This passage

v.2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterward hungered.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezekiel 40:2

    In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me down upon a very high mountain, whereon was as it were the frame of a city on the south.

  • Hebrews 2:18

    For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

  • Hebrews 4:15

    For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

  • Ezekiel 3:14

    So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; and the hand of Jehovah was strong upon me.

  • Romans 8:14

    For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

  • 1 Kings 18:12

    And it will come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of Jehovah will carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he will slay me: but I thy servant fear Jehovah from my youth.

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