Matthew 4

Chapter Summary

Matthew 4 recounts Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, where He fasts for 40 days and is tempted by Satan. Jesus resists each temptation by quoting Scripture, demonstrating His commitment to God's Word. After the temptation, Jesus begins His ministry, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and calling people to repentance. He also calls His first disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and performs miracles, including healing a man with an unclean spirit and Peter's mother-in-law. The chapter concludes with Jesus' popularity growing, as people from all over Galilee come to hear Him and be healed.

Context for the Chapter

Matthew 4 follows Jesus' baptism and genealogy, where Jesus is identified as the Son of God and the Messiah. This chapter prepares the way for Jesus' public ministry, which will be marked by preaching, miracles, and calling disciples. The chapter also looks back to the Old Testament, where the prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah and the preparation of the way for the Lord. Jesus' ministry is a fulfillment of these prophecies, demonstrating His role as the Savior of the world.

Heart Application

This chapter encourages believers to trust in God's provision and sovereignty, even in the face of temptation and uncertainty. Jesus' dependence on God's Word serves as a model for prioritizing Scripture in our own lives, while His ministry demonstrates the importance of proclaiming the gospel and calling people to repentance. As we reflect on Jesus' experiences, we are reminded to seek God's guidance and empowerment for our own lives and ministries.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter tells us about Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, where He was tested by Satan but resisted each temptation by quoting Scripture. Jesus then began His ministry, preaching the gospel and calling people to repentance. He also performed miracles, including healing a man with an unclean spirit and Peter's mother-in-law. As we reflect on Jesus' experiences, we are reminded to trust in God's provision and sovereignty, and to prioritize God's Word in our own lives.

Voices from the Church

“The Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, not to abandon Him, but to prepare Him for His ministry. In this way, Jesus was made conformable to us, that He might be a faithful High Priest.”

— John Calvin

“The temptation of Jesus was a real temptation, but it was also a temptation that was overcome by the power of God's Word. Let us learn from Jesus' example to trust in the Scriptures and to use them as our defense against the enemy.”

— Charles Spurgeon

Outline for Preaching

1. The Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) — Jesus is led into the wilderness, where He is tempted by Satan to doubt God's provision and sovereignty. Jesus resists each temptation by quoting Scripture, demonstrating His dependence on God's Word.
2. The Beginning of Jesus' Ministry (Matthew 4:12-17) — Jesus begins His public ministry, preaching the gospel and calling people to repentance. He proclaims the kingdom of heaven, highlighting His role as the Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
3. The Call of the First Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22) — Jesus calls His first disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John. These men leave their nets and follow Jesus, demonstrating their commitment to His ministry and message.
4. Jesus' Ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:23-25) — Jesus preaches and teaches in Galilee, performing miracles and healing people. His ministry grows in popularity, as people come from all over to hear Him and be healed.
5. The Response to Jesus' Ministry (Matthew 4:25) — The people respond positively to Jesus' ministry, coming from all over Galilee to hear Him and be healed. This demonstrates the impact of Jesus' message and the power of His miracles.

Core Doctrines

The Deity of Christ

This chapter presents Jesus as the Son of God, who is prepared for His ministry through temptation and obedience. Jesus' experiences serve as a model for believers, demonstrating how to resist temptation and trust in God's provision.

The Importance of Scripture

Jesus' dependence on God's Word serves as a model for prioritizing Scripture in our own lives. The chapter highlights the power of God's Word to resist temptation and to guide us in our walk with God.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, where He is tempted by Satan. This highlights the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and empowering Jesus for His ministry, as well as the Spirit's presence in the lives of believers.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

Jesus proclaims the kingdom of heaven, calling people to repentance and highlighting His role as the Messiah. This serves as a model for believers, encouraging them to prioritize the gospel and to call people to repentance in their own lives.

Lessons from Matthew 4

1. The Importance of Trusting in God's Provision — Jesus' experiences in the wilderness demonstrate the importance of trusting in God's provision and sovereignty, even in the face of temptation and uncertainty.
2. The Power of God's Word — Jesus' dependence on God's Word serves as a model for prioritizing Scripture in our own lives, demonstrating the power of God's Word to resist temptation and to guide us in our walk with God.
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Guiding and Empowering Us — The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, where He is tempted by Satan. This highlights the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and empowering Jesus for His ministry, as well as the Spirit's presence in the lives of believers.
4. The Importance of Proclaiming the Gospel — Jesus proclaims the kingdom of heaven, calling people to repentance and highlighting His role as the Messiah. This serves as a model for believers, encouraging them to prioritize the gospel and to call people to repentance in their own lives.
5. The Need for Repentance and Faith — Jesus' ministry demonstrates the need for people to turn away from sin and turn to God, trusting in Jesus' message of salvation. As we reflect on Jesus' experiences, we are reminded to seek God's guidance and empowerment for our own lives and ministries.

Themes from Matthew 4

1. Temptation and Obedience — Jesus' experiences in the wilderness demonstrate the importance of trusting in God's provision and sovereignty, even in the face of temptation and uncertainty. This theme serves as a model for believers, encouraging them to prioritize God's Word and to trust in His sovereignty.
2. The Ministry of Jesus — Jesus' ministry in Galilee demonstrates the power of the gospel and the importance of proclaiming it to others. This theme highlights Jesus' role as the Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit — The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, where He is tempted by Satan. This highlights the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and empowering Jesus for His ministry, as well as the Spirit's presence in the lives of believers.
4. The Importance of Repentance — Jesus' ministry demonstrates the need for people to turn away from sin and turn to God, trusting in Jesus' message of salvation. This theme serves as a model for believers, encouraging them to prioritize the gospel and to call people to repentance in their own lives.
5. The Power of God's Word — Jesus' dependence on God's Word serves as a model for prioritizing Scripture in our own lives, demonstrating the power of God's Word to resist temptation and to guide us in our walk with God.

Questions for Meditation

1. How does Jesus' dependence on God's Word serve as a model for our own lives?
2. What can we learn from Jesus' experiences in the wilderness about resisting temptation and trusting in God's provision?
3. How does Jesus' ministry in Galilee demonstrate the power of the gospel and the importance of proclaiming it to others?
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in guiding and empowering Jesus for His ministry, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
5. How can we prioritize the gospel and call people to repentance in our own lives, following Jesus' example in Matthew 4:17?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Matthew 4

	Sermon	Description
	Christian Life - a Battleground, the (Satan's Tactics) by Warren Wiersbe	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the strategy of Satan and how to defeat him. He outlines four basic tactics that Satan uses and emphasizes the importance of understanding the
	The Call of God - Part 1 by Derek Prince	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of responding to God's call and making commitments to Him. He shares his own experience of speaking at Pacific Asia Christian
	A Call to Repentance by Vance Havner	In this sermon, the speaker uses the analogy of a water wheel in an old-fashioned mill to illustrate the importance of removing hindrances and obstacles in order for the church to
	Authority and God's Word - Part 1 by Derek Prince	This sermon emphasizes the authority of Scripture, highlighting that all Scripture is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit. It discusses the importance of accepting the entire B
	Elijah - He Prayed by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the life of the prophet Elijah and emphasizes the power of prayer. He compares Elijah to other influential figures in history, such as Willia
	Satan and Endtimes by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of David and Goliath from the Bible. He highlights how David, a young boy, faced the giant Goliath with only five stones in his poc
	Alone - Abandonment by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for a revival in the church. He describes the current state of the church as weak and powerless, comparing it to people in Africa l
	Whatever Happened to Repentance? by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of repentance and the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus. He urges the congregation to come forward and confess t
	Dr. Orr's Testimony by J. Edwin Orr	In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences of revival and missionary work. They mention a time when they were in college and witnessed many conversions and dedication
	1 Kings 16-18 - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the venue and encourages the audience to attend more frequently. The sermon then focuses on the book of James, specif

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Matthew 4

Matthew 4 presents Jesus as the Son of God, who is prepared for His ministry through temptation and obedience. Jesus' experiences in the wilderness serve as a model for believers, demonstrating how to resist temptation and trust in God's provision. As we reflect on Jesus' ministry, we are reminded to seek God's guidance and empowerment for our own lives and ministries, trusting in His sovereignty and provision. Jesus' proclamation of the gospel and His call to repentance serve as a model for believers, encouraging them to prioritize the gospel and to call people to repentance in their own lives. Through Jesus' ministry, we see the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the beginning of a new era in God's plan of redemption. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?