[Note: These notes have been ordered according to the verses in the text, which does not precisely match the order in which the lesson was presented. - MRW]

Matthew 4

Matthew 4:1-11 – Temptation of Jesus

• Some compare Jesus going into the wilderness to Israel’s wandering the wilderness. Unlike Israel, Jesus prevailed in the wilderness.
• Matthew 4:10 – Note that this is in direct conflict with any idea of worshipping Mary.
• Matthew 4:8-11 – In a sense, Jesus was tempted to worship Satan.
  • I Corinthians 10:13 – God always provides a way of escape from temptation.
  • Psalms 119:11
  • James 1:14-15
  • I John 2:15-17 – Do not love the world.
  • Galatians 6:7-8 – A man reaps what he sows.
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.“

Matthew 4:12-17 – Jesus begins His Galilean ministry

• Matthew 4:12-13 – See John 4:43. Being from Nazareth was a mark against someone at the time. To be called a Nazarene was derogatory. It was a small and insignificant town. This was another one of many reasons that people were prejudiced against Jesus.
• Matthew 4:15-16 – See Isaiah 42:7; Psalms 107:10-15; Luke 2:32.

Matthew 4:18-21 – Four fishermen and four disciples

• Matthew 4:19 – See Luke 18:28-30. They left all that they had to follow Jesus.

Matthew 4:23-25 – Jesus heals a multitude

• See Acts 10:36-39. Peter would later use much of what is in this chapter in his preaching.