Matthew 4

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

When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.

The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’”

Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,

and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”

Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.

Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.

Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,

the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”

From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”

They immediately left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them.

They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.

The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them.

Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter presents Jesus as the obedient Son of God who triumphs over temptation and inaugurates the kingdom of heaven in word and deed. It moves from the wilderness confrontation with Satan to the dawning light of gospel proclamation in Galilee, fulfilling prophecy and calling the first disciples to join in the mission of restoration and healing.

Flow.

Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he fasts and faces three temptations from the devil, each answered with Scripture.
After his victory, angels minister to him, marking the end of the trial and affirming his divine sonship.
Upon hearing of John’s arrest, Jesus withdraws to Galilee, settles in Capernaum, and fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy about light dawning in darkness.
He begins preaching repentance and the nearness of the kingdom, calls the first disciples with a summons to mission, and travels throughout Galilee teaching, preaching, and healing.

Connections.
Following chapter 3, where Jesus is baptized and declared God’s beloved Son, this chapter tests that identity in the wilderness, showing how the Son remains faithful where Adam and Israel failed. His resistance to Satan demonstrates true obedience, setting the tone for his earthly ministry. This preparation directly leads into chapter 5, where Jesus ascends a mountain to teach as the authoritative interpreter of God’s law, revealing the righteousness of the kingdom he proclaims. The transition from temptation to proclamation to healing forms a cohesive starting point for the public phase of his work, fulfilling Scripture and drawing others into his mission.

What it teaches.
Jesus, as the true Israel and obedient Son, withstands Satan’s temptations by relying solely on God’s Word (WCF 8.5), fulfilling where Adam fell (Rom. 5:19; cf. WCF 7.2) and where Israel failed in the wilderness (Deut. 8:3, cited in Matt. 4:4; cf. WCF 7.5). His refusal to misuse divine sonship for personal gain or spectacle upholds the holiness and trust required in covenant relationship (Deut. 6:13, 16; cf. WCF 19.1). The shift to Galilee and the announcement of the kingdom’s arrival fulfill messianic prophecy (Isa. 9:1–2; cited in Matt. 4:15–16; cf. HC LD 1), while the call of the disciples anticipates the formation of a new people of God (Matt. 4:19; cf. WCF 26.2). His teaching, preaching, and healing reveal the kingdom’s inbreaking as both word and power (Matt. 4:23; cf. LD 19).

Apply.
When confronted with pressure to doubt your calling or compromise faithfulness, live by every word from God’s mouth, not by immediate needs or imagined shortcuts.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.