Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert 2 for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” 5 Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. 6 The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and their glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. 7 All this will be yours, if you worship me.” 8 Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.’” 9 Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ 11 and: ‘With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.
The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at his Baptism (Lk. 3:21-22), equipping him for his ministry. After his baptism, the Spirit led him into the desert for 40 days to be tempted by the devil. The number forty symbolizes a period of testing and preparation, and the desert is a place of encounter with God, reminiscent of Israel's 40 years in the wilderness (Deut. 8:2), and Moses’ 40 days on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 24:28).
The devil's first temptation challenges Jesus' identity as the Son of God and his reliance on God. Jesus is tempted to use his divine power, some of which he voluntarily relinquished in his incarnation (Phil. 2:7), to satisfy his personal needs. This is similar to Israel's temptation in the wilderness to distrust God's provision. Jesus responds by emphasizing that true life is sustained by obedience to God’s word (Deut. 8:3).
In the second temptation, the devil shows Jesus the kingdoms of the world and claims authority over all of them. He offers them to Jesus in exchange for worship. This would give Jesus immediate power but at the cost of betraying his divine sonship and abandoning his mission of sacrifice for the salvation of mankind. Jesus rejected the devil by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13. Worship and service are due to God alone.
The devil's third temptation takes place at the temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing religious authority. The devil quotes Psalm 91:11-12 to tempt Jesus into testing God. Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:16, indicating that testing God demonstrates a lack of faith.
The devil’s departure signifies the end of this period of testing, but the phrase "for a time" suggests that temptations will continue throughout Jesus’ ministry. Each temptation represents a basic human weakness—physical needs, power, and trust. True strength and power lie in obedience to God’s will.
Almighty God, guide us during our times of trial and strengthen us to resist temptation and remain faithful to Your Word. Help us to rely on Your provision and to worship You alone. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
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History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd
ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A
Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu,
José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of
Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four
Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The
New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to
Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al.,
editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of
the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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