Matthew 4; Luke 4–5

Jesus spent 40 days fasting and communing with Heavenly Father in the wilderness. He was tempted by the devil and resisted him. After traveling to Galilee, Jesus declared to the people in Nazareth that He was the Messiah. The people of Nazareth rejected Him. In Capernaum, Jesus cast an evil spirit out of a man and healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, preaching and healing. After miraculously catching a multitude of fish with the Savior’s help, Peter, James, and John gave up everything to follow Him. Jesus healed a leper and a paralyzed man. Jesus called Matthew to be a disciple and taught that He came to call sinners to repentance.

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Background and Context

Matthew 4:1, 5, 8

What clarifications does the Joseph Smith Translation provide regarding the temptations of Jesus?

(Compare to Mark 1:12; Luke 4:1.)

The Joseph Smith Translation makes important clarifications to these verses. Jesus Christ did not go “into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil,” nor did the devil have power to transport Jesus Christ to tempt Him.

Rather, the Joseph Smith Translation teaches that “Jesus was led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness, to be with God.” Once Jesus “had communed with God, he was afterwards an hungered, and was left to be tempted of the devil.”

“Then Jesus was taken up into the holy city, and the Spirit setteth him on the pinnacle of the temple. …

“And again, Jesus was in the Spirit, and it taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.”

Matthew 4:2

What is the significance of Jesus fasting 40 days?

(Compare to Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2.)

Fasting is to voluntarily stop eating or drinking for a time to draw closer to God. The scriptures often connect fasting with prayer.

Anciently, people fasted when seeking spiritual strength, blessings, revelation, and help from God. Fasting also sometimes accompanied repentance and mourning.

The Savior prepared for His ministry by fasting 40 days and nights while communing with His Father. Afterward the devil came to tempt, or test, Him.

In the Bible, the number 40 is associated with several notable events. For example, both Moses and Elijah went to mountains to fast and commune with the Lord for 40 days. The Israelites were tested in the wilderness for 40 years before the Lord allowed them to enter the promised land. One scholar wrote, “In scripture, the number [40] represents a period of trial, testing, probation, or mourning.” The number can also be understood both literally or figuratively. So in some instances, 40 days can refer simply to an extended period of time.

Matthew 4:5–7

What was the pinnacle of the temple?

(Compare to Luke 4:9–12.)

model of the temple built on a mount in Jerusalem, surrounded by a series of courtyards and walls — photograph by James Jeffery

A wall surrounded the temple in Jerusalem. Some researchers believe that the southwestern corner of the wall may have been the pinnacle of the temple where Jesus was tempted. This corner apparently provided the best angle to look out over the city. A carved platform stone with a Hebrew inscription was found in the ruins of that corner. The inscription indicated that a herald would stand on this platform to blow a horn (shofar) to signal the beginning of holy days.

The place more traditionally believed to be the site for the pinnacle of the temple is the southeastern corner. It was the highest point along the temple wall. The drop from this point to the bottom of the Kidron Valley below was more than 400 feet, or 122 meters. “The point of Satan’s temptation was to entice Jesus into misusing his divine power by throwing himself off the dizzying height and counting on angels to rescue him from the fall. (See Matt. 4:6.)”

Matthew 4:13–16

What is the importance of “the land of Zabulon, and the Land of Nephthalim”?

The Old Testament lands of Zebulun and Naphtali became the land of Galilee in New Testament times.

map of Zebulun and Naphtali and map of Galilee

Jesus Christ spent most of His life and ministry in the villages of Galilee. Over the centuries, many battles were fought to secure control over this region. This may be one reason Isaiah referred to the people of this land as “them which sat in the region and shadow of death.”

Isaiah had prophesied that in this death-stricken land a “great light” would spring up. That light is Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Matthew wanted his readers to know that the Savior’s ministry in the land of Galilee was a fulfillment of this prophecy.

Luke 4:16

What is a synagogue?

Synagogues were Jewish congregations, or the buildings where Jews gathered for worship and instruction. The origin of synagogues is unknown. The mention of synagogues in the Book of Mormon suggests they may have existed in Israel prior to Lehi leaving Jerusalem. Synagogue worship became more widespread after the Babylonian captivity as Jews looked for other ways to worship the Lord while separated from His temple.

A synagogue was managed by a local ruler, generally a scribe. Each synagogue contained “rolls of the law and other sacred writings, a reading desk, and seats for the worshipers.” During Sabbath worship, Jews gathered in the synagogues to hear readings from the sacred texts of Jewish scripture.

Luke 4:18–19

How does Jesus’s ministry fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 61:1–2?

Jesus Christ began His ministry in Nazareth by going to the synagogue and reading passages from Isaiah about the mission of the Messiah. He then identified Himself as the One who fulfilled the prophecies.

The verses in Isaiah refer to a person who was “anointed.” The Jews recognized this as meaning “the Messiah.” As the Messiah, Jesus was sent to “heal the brokenhearted.” His atoning sacrifice would save those who offer a broken heart and contrite spirit and who follow Him.

Jesus Christ was sent to “preach deliverance to the captives.” His gospel would deliver those in spirit prison as well as those in spiritual bondage. He was to provide “sight to the blind.” He would miraculously restore physical and spiritual sight. He was to “set at liberty them that are bruised.”

The Greek word translated as “bruised” also means “broken” or “oppressed.” Jesus Christ came to heal all who are oppressed by sin and the devil. The Savior was to “preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” His mission as the Messiah fulfilled this prophecy. He had come to bring salvation to His people.

Luke 4:22–30

Why was Jesus rejected at Nazareth?

(Compare to Matthew 13:54–58; Mark 6:1–6.)

The people of Nazareth “wondered” at Jesus’s declaration of Himself as the Messiah and questioned, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” The Savior anticipated the people’s response to His declaration. He rebuked their unspoken wish to see proof that He was the Messiah.

The Savior then spoke of two Gentiles who experienced miracles. Highlighting the faith of these Gentiles filled those in the synagogue with anger. Elder James E. Talmage wrote: “Were they to be likened unto despised unbelievers, and that too by the son of the village carpenter, who had grown from childhood in their community? Victims of diabolical rage, they seized the Lord and took Him to the brow of the hill on the slopes of which the town was built, determined to avenge their wounded feelings by hurling Him from the rocky cliffs.”

Although Luke does not explain how, Jesus was able to escape the violent crowd. This experience clearly shows the truth of the Apostle John’s statement that Jesus Christ “came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

Luke 5:27–30

Why were publicans despised by the Jews?

(Compare to Matthew 9:9–11; Mark 2:15–16.)

The Jews resented being under Roman power. They also despised those who collected taxes for the Romans. These tax collectors were called publicans.

Jewish publicans were considered traitors and were shunned by the community. “Publicans and members of their families were considered so contemptible that they were not allowed to hold public office or give testimony in a Jewish court.”

Since the Pharisees considered publicans sinners, they viewed them as ritually unclean. So to eat with a publican would threaten a Pharisee’s purity.