Devine Scripture

Matthew 4:7

What does Matthew 4:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 4:7 means

Jesus again responded with Scripture, quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, to firmly reject the devil's challenge. He clarified that one must not put the Lord God to an unnecessary test, especially by manufacturing situations to demand miraculous intervention. This response upheld the principle of honoring God's sovereignty and demonstrated that true faith relies on God's will and timing, not on presumptuous demands for signs.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Jesus said to him, Again it is in the Writings, You may not put the Lord your God to the test.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Jesus said to him again, `It hath been written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Jesus said to him, It is again written, Thou shalt not tempt [the] Lord thyGod.

Context

Jesus' counter-response in this verse directly refutes the devil's second temptation and his misuse of Psalm 91. This further establishes Jesus' consistent method of resisting evil through the authoritative Word of God. The victory in this encounter builds upon the previous one, showing a pattern of spiritual triumph and setting the stage for the final, most direct confrontation.

v.6and saith unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.

v.7This passage

v.8Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 17:2

    Wherefore the people strove with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why strive ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt Jehovah?

  • Psalms 95:9

    When your fathers tempted me, Proved me, and saw my work.

  • Matthew 21:16

    and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

  • Matthew 4:4

    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.

  • Psalms 106:14

    But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.

  • Hebrews 3:9

    Where your fathers triedmeby proving me, And saw my works forty years.

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