Matthew 4

Matthew 4:1

THen] Presently after he was baptized, Mark 1:12. and solemnly proclaimed to be the Sonne of God, by whom mankinde was to be reconciled unto God.

Jesus led] Mark 1:12. Luke 4:1.

led up] Relating to the wildernesse, as higher then the confines of Jordan, the place where he was baptized: or, simply led, or led aside, or withdrawn, as Luke 4:1.

of the spirit] Or, by the spirit. Either by inspiration of the Spirit of God, as Romans 8:14. which was so forcible, that it is called, Driving, Mark 1:12. Or, guided by the dove that rested on him, chap. 3. 16. as the Israelites were led by the cloud and pillar of fire, psal. 78. 14. and the wise men by the star, chap. 2. 9. Or, lifted up from the earth (as the word here may signifie) and his body carried into the wildernesse by the power of Gods Spirit, as 1 Kings 18:12. 2 Kings 2:16. Ezek. 3. 12, 14, 15. and 11. 1.

into the wildernesse] Not a place little inhabited, like that wherein John Baptist lived, chap. 3. 1. but a place not inhabited by men, where wilde beasts were, Mark 1:13. The devil had the more advantage to tempt our Saviour, in a place where no man could hinder him, nor assist Christ.

to be tempted of the devil] Not to be tried by God with affliction, as Abraham was, Genesis 22:1-2, &c. but to be sollicited by Satan to evil, as 1 Chronicles 21:1. that he might overcome him, who by temptation overcame our first parents.

Matthew 4:2

fasted fourty days] As Moses and Elias had done before, Exodus 34:28. 1 Kings 19. 8. The first, before the law, the second, under the law, the third here, in the beginning of the gospel.

and fourty nights] He did not eat at night, as the Jews did; or at some other times, when they fasted many days, as Daniel 10:3. but fasted day and night, during the time expressed.

afterward] It seems he felt no hunger till the time expired, but was kept from it by Gods power, as the three Jews from feeling the heat of the fire, Daniel 3:27.

an hungred] The devil takes him at the weakest, and takes occasion of his first temptation from hence, v. 3. which had been to no purpose before Christ was hungry.

Matthew 4:3

the tempter] The devil, whose constant work it is to endeavour to draw men to sin, 1 Thess. 3. 5.

If thou be the Son of God] The naturall Son of God, as was affirmed from heaven, chap. 3. 17. and taught by John Baptist, John 1:34. Or, a son of God: for the article is not in Greek; and the temptations, answers and scriptures alleadged, are such as may become us in the like temptations.

command] Shew thy self to be God, by commanding this to be done: so Luke 4:3, command this stone that it be made bread, as Genesis 1:3. Or, say: that is, speak to God to turn these stones into bread.

these stones] Luke 4:3, it is, this stone: as if Satan had appeared like a man, and pointed to some stone lying there before them.

bread] Not flesh, or some other dainty thing, Numbers 11:4. Psal. 78. 18, 20. bread alone would serve to satisfie hunger.

Matthew 4:4

it is written] Our Saviour doth not say, I am God, and so drive away Satan by his divine power; but answereth him by Scripture, that he might overcome Satan as man, and teach us how to do it, to wit, by the sword of the Spirit, Eph. 6. 17.

Man shall not live] Deuteronomy 8:3.

by bread alone, &c.] Bread doth not nourish by its own power, but by Gods appointment. Though here be no bread to nourish me, God can put the same vertue into other things, or nourish me without any food, and on him will I wait.

Matthew 4:5

Then] Soon after the former temptation.

the devil taketh him up] Carrieth him, as Gods Spirit did Philip, Acts 8:13. else how could he set him on the pinacle of the temple? Well might Christ suffer Satan to carry him, who suffered his instruments to crucifie him.

into the holy citie] Jerusalem, chap. 27. 53. Daniel 9:24. so called, notwithstanding the wickednesse of it, because of Gods solemn worship there: or, because of those good men left there, who were the better, though not the greater part of Jerusalem.

on a pinacle] An out-wing on the top of the temple. The devil might have set him on some rock in the wildernesse; but he thought Christ would be more willing to shew himself at Jerusalem, and from the temple (as Christs kinred did, John 7:3-4.) and that if he fell there, all the Jews would think him an impostour, if he died of that fall.

Matthew 4:6

If thou be the Son of God] See on v. 3.

cast thy self down] Satan doth not offer to throw him down, for that God would not suffer him, or because he sought to bring Christ to sin, rather then to death; whereas, if Satan had cast him down, Christ had not sinned.

for it is written] Psalms 91:11. The devil now seeks to foil Christ with his own weapons, and cites Scripture, as he had done before, v. 4.

He shall give his angels charge] Thou dependest on God (v. 4.) what needest thou fear hurt by falling, seeing the Scripture testifies, That God hath appointed his angels to keep thee from the least hurt.

they shall bear thee up] A metaphor taken from the manner of them that carry young children in their arms.

Matthew 4:7

it is written again] Deuteronomy 6:16. Our Saviour doth not alleadge Scripture against Scripture, as if one Scripture did or could crosse another; but shews, That Satan did misalleadge the former Scripture, by producing a text which forbids that that Satan would have him to do.

Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God] As I must wait upon God for means of food (v. 4.) so likewise of coming down from the temple; else I tempt God, by casting my self into a needlesse danger, and he may justly fail me, and not break his promise.

Matthew 4:8

Again] Satan, though foiled, yet gives not over tempting Christ. When one temptation is past, we must look for another.

the devil taketh him up] See on v. 5.

sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world] Presents them to his senses: which way, the Scripture hath not revealed.

Matthew 4:9

All these things will I give thee] He cometh not now like to a friend, to advise, as v. 3. or like a divine, to direct, as v. 6. but like a Monarch, to seduce our Saviour by great gifts.

if thou wilt fall down] I ask but a small requitall of so great liberality, onely one act of submission, in acknowledgement that thou hast all these things from me. Here it appears why Satan begins not, as before, If thou be the Son of God: for he knew that Christ, if he thought himself the Son of God, would not worship him: and if he were not so, he might, peradventure, be willing to accept of Satans large offer.

Matthew 4:10

Get thee hence] Tempt me no more at this time. Christ could endure him no longer, when he seeks to take to him that which belongs to God: as chaste women will not so much as talk with such men as have tempted them to fail in loyalty towards their husbands.

Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God] Deuteronomy 6:13. and Deuteronomy 10:20. 1 Samuel 12:3. Thou art not my God, and therefore I may not worship thee, to get all the world.

Matthew 4:11

Then the devil leaveth him] When Christ had exercised his divine power, in bidding him be gone, v. 10.

angels came and ministred unto him] To tender their service and homage unto him, Hebrews 1:6. or, to bring him food, as to Elijah, 1 Kings 19:5. or, to convey him back into the wildernesse from this mountain, whither Satan had brought him: unlesse the Spirit of God conveyed him into Galilee directly, as it seems, Luke 4:14. although others conceive, that our Saviour spent some time before this, in Judea.

Matthew 4:12

Now when Jesus had heard] Mark 1:14. Luke 4. 14. John 4:43. It appears that divers things came between, which are set down, Joh. 1, 2 and 3 chapters.

cast] Or, delivered up.

Matthew 4:13

leaving Nazareth] Wherein he had been brought up, and had now been a while, Luke 4. He went to a safer place, not ruled by Herod, but by his brother Philip, a man of a milder temper.

dwelt in Capernaum] Conversed there, for the most part; for he had not an house of his own, chap. 8. 20. And this was a town more famous then Nazareth, and more hope of doing good there.

Matthew 4:14

that it might be fulfilled] It was first literally fulfilled, when that people had some freedom after they were afflicted by the Assyrians, and now spiritually by Christs preaching there.

Matthew 4:15

The land of Zabulon] Isaiah 9:1. The first calamity began there, 2 Kings 15. 29.

by the way of the sea] Of Tiberias: or, because it was not far from the sea of Tyru.

beyond Jordan] Or, beside, or at, or neer Jordan: For it was part of the holy land. See Numbers 32:19. John 1:28.

Galilee of the Gentiles] So called, because the cities which Solomon gave to the king of Tyrus, 1 Kings 9:11. were there. Or, Galilee of the Nations; because, by reason of traffick, people of divers nations had concourse thither. So Genesis 14:1. Joshua 12:23. Or, populous Galilee: that part of Galilee which was best peopled, as being a richer soil then some other part of it.

Matthew 4:16

The people which sate in darknesse] They whose predecessours were first afflicted by the Assyrians, and delivered, being now the captives of Satan, are first publikely caught deliverance by Christ himself.

shadow of death] In troubles causing death, or as grievous as death it self. See Psalms 23:4.

light is sprung up] Christ bringeth the joyfull tidings of salvation to them, Psalms 97:11.

Matthew 4:17

From that time] Mark 1:14.

Jesus began to preach] To take upon him the publike office of a preacher or prophet; for he had sometimes taught before, and had some disciples: but, now John was in prison, he takes all the care of preaching to the people upon himself.

Repent] He begins as John did, and so confirms his doctrine. See Notes on chap. 3. 2.

Matthew 4:18

And Jesus] Mark 1:16.

by the sea of Galilee] Called also, The lake of Genezaret, and, Sea of Tiberias, Luke 5:1. John 16:1; John 16:23.

two brethren] They were the more likely to assist one another in the apostleship, because of this neer relation.

Simon, called Peter, and Andrew] They were with Christ before, John 1:40-41. but went home again, to follow their own businesse, as Nicodemus also did, John 3:1.

casting a net] Busie in their calling, as the shepherds were, when the angels came to them, Luke 2:8.

they were fishers] Christ might have sent some of the glorious angels, or of the learned Pharisees; but he takes poor fisher-men, and fits them for apostles, that he might get the more glory by them. See Acts 4:13. 1 Corinthians 1:26; 1 Corinthians 1:29.

Matthew 4:19

Follow me] Abide with me constantly, that I may teach you in private, as well as in publike.

fishers of men] He teacheth them the ministers duty, by their own trade. So David was taught his kingly office, Psal. 78. 71, 72. The world was the sea; unbelievrs, the fishes; the apostles were to be the fishermen, to catch them with the net of preaching the Gospel, and bring them to God, Matthew 13:47. Luke 5:10.

Matthew 4:20

straightway left their nets] Assoon as they had brought the ships to land, Luke 5. 11. See their ready obedience, and willingnesse to leave all for Christ: yet left they not the propriety of their goods, but left them to the care of others. See chap. 8. 14. John 19:27. and John 21:3.

Matthew 4:21

two brethren] See on v. 18.

mending their nets] Working in their calling. See on v. 18.

Matthew 4:22

immediately] See on v. 20.

and their father] Not neglecting him, but leaving him to the care of his servants, Mark 1:20.

Matthew 4:23

went about all Galilee] Or, led about. His disciples new called. He went into Galilee, where they were more ignorant then in Judea, v. 15, 16. and sent not for some out of all places there, but went into the towns, to do the more good.

in their synagogues] A word used for meeting-places civill and sacred; as also the word Church is, Acts 19:39. 1 Corinthians 11:18. Here it is used for the place where people met to worship God: and in them Christ taught, to take away all suspition of his doctrine, as not enduring the light, Joh. 3. 20, 21. and 18. 20. Acts 26:26. 2 Timothy 3:6. and to encourage the Jews to the publike service of God, and to do the more good, because many were there constantly assembled.

preaching] Publishing by authority, as heraulds do the will of Kings, and priviledges of subjects.

the Gospel of the Kingdom] So called, because it brings us into the Kingdom of grace, when it is received, and shews us the way to the Kingdom of glory, chap. 3. 2. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2. James 1:21.

healing] By this miraculous healing he confirmed the truth of his doctrine, and shewed his divine power.

all manner] Or. all. So, Acts 10:12.

of sicknesse] Such as bring more pain, and are more hardly cured. He could have wrought signes in heaven; but he did such miracles as did good to mens bodies, to shew that he was the Saviour of their souls.

disease] Infirmity not so painfull, and more easily cured.

Matthew 4:24

thorowout all Syria] Even to the Gentiles, to make a preparation for their future conversion, and make the condemnation of those Jews the greater, which followed him not.

they brought unto him, &c.] They were more carefull of the bodies of themselves and theirs, then of their souls: as those, John 6:26. Hence it is, that men seek more to physicians then to divines.

torments] Most painfull diseases. The word signifieth primarily, such torments as were inflicted on men, to make them confesse the truth.

possessed with devils] So that Satan tyrannized over their reason and senses, that they could make no use of them, but to their own hurt, and the hurt of others.

lunatick] Such as were more or lesse afflicted, according to the changes of the moon, as those that are frantick, or have the falling-sicknesse. Others think they have these diseases, because they were born in the eclipse of the moon, and are therefore so called.

those that had the palsie] Weak and feeble men, who have their limbs and joynts loosed, and so weakned, that they cannot pull them up, nor put them forth when they would.

Matthew 4:25

there followed him great multitudes] Besides those that brought the sick to be healed. Some came out of affction to novelty; others, to carp; others, to learn.

from Decapolis] A part of Syria, so called, from ten famous cities that were in it.

beyond Jordan] See on v. 15.