Matthew 4

Chap. IV. ver. 1. Then was Jesus &c.] Then, that is, immediately after His baptism, in that moment of exaltation when He was acknowledged by a voice from heaven to be the Son of God, and when the Spirit of God had taken full possession of His soul, Jesus went forth under the guidance of that Spirit, in full confidence of this Divine power, into the wilderness, to encounter the prince of this world. A plain proof that this contest which follows was a preconcerted design, a measure approved by Heaven, and subservient to the grand purpose in which our Saviour was engaged, of rescuing mankind from the dominion of Satan. Bp. Portens.

— into the wilderness] Probably the great wilderness near Jordan, where Jesus was baptized. Bp. Portens. “The mountainous desert into which our Saviour was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil, is a miserable dry barren place, consisting of high rocky mountains so torn and disordered, as if the earth had suffered some great convulsion, in which its very bowels had been turned outward. On the left hand, looking down into a steep valley as we passed along, we saw some ruins of small cells and cottages, which, we were told, were formerly the habitations of hermits retiring hither for penance and mortification; and certainly there could not be found in the whole earth a more comfortless and abandoned place for that purpose. On descending from these hills of desolation into the plain, we soon came to the foot of mount Quarantania, which they say is the mountain from which the devil tempted our Saviour with that visionary scene of all the kingdoms and glories of the world. It is, as St. Matthew calls it, an exceeding high mountain, and in its ascent difficult and dangerous. It has a small chapel at the top, and another about half way up, on a prominent part of a rock. Near this latter are several caves and holes in the sides of the mountain, anciently used by hermits, and by some at this day, for places to keep their Lent in, in imitation of that of our blessed Saviour.” Moundrell.

— he departed into Galilee.] He had probably been, during the interval, in some part of the wilderness, not far from Jordan. Bp. Pearce.

— saw two brethren, Simon &c.] Had it been the object of our Saviour to establish His religion by mere human means, by influence or force, by the charms of eloquence or the powers of reason, by the example or the authority of the great, He would undoubtedly have selected His disciples from the opulent, the eloquent, or the learned. But these were not the instruments which He intended to use. He meant to shew, that He was above them all; that He had far other resources, far different auxiliaries to call into his support, in comparison with which all the wealth, and magnificence, and power, and wisdom of the world were trivial and contemptible things. Accordingly we find that not the wise, not the mighty, not the noble, were called to cooperate with Him, but men of the meanest birth, of the lowest occupations, of the humblest talents, and most uncultivated minds. These fishermen of Galilee were to be, under Him, the instruments of overthrowing the stupendous and magnificent system of paganism and idolatry throughout the world, and producing the greatest change, the most general and important revolution, in principles, in morals, in religion, that ever took place on this globe. Bp. Porteus.

Matthew 4:2

2. — had fasted forty days] As Moses and Elijah, the two great Prophets under the law, had done. Dr. S. Clarke.

— he was afterwards an hungred.] Taking advantage of this symptom of human infirmity, the devil, who probably assailed Him under the disguise of “an angel of light,” 2 Cor. xi. 14, and in a human form, as appears from his conversation, hoped to overcome “the second Adam” as he had done “the first,” by similar temptations, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye,

and the pride of life; not knowing that Christ was to be tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin, that He might be able to bear our infirmities, Heb. iv. 15, and point out by His own example the dangers to which we are exposed from our spiritual adversary, and also the most effectual mode of resisting him by vigilance, prayer, and the word of God rightly understood. Dr. Hales.

Matthew 4:3

3. — command that these stones be made bread.] Satan here makes a proposal of refined artifice to our Lord, that He would instantly make an experiment, and give a proof of the truth of the late declaration from heaven in His favour, “This is My beloved Son,” by ordering a supernatural supply for the want which pressed Him. It seems that Satan had no prospect of being able to lead Him at once into a gross transgression; and any real deviation, however small, from piety and virtue, would have answered his end. Now compliance with this counsel would have been a deviation. The voice from heaven alone carried evidence sufficient of God’s special regard to Him, and the desire of a fuller demonstration of it would have shewn a blameable distrust. He had been supported by the sole word and will of His heavenly Father for forty days; and why should He now, without any sufficient notice of the change of that will, attempt by a new miracle to supply Himself with food? Abp. Secker.

Matthew 4:4

4. — It is written, Man shall not &c.] See Deut. viii. 3. His meaning is, He that brought Me into this wilderness, and subjected Me to these trials, can support Me under the pressure of hunger by a variety of means, besides the common one of bread, just as He fed the Israelites in the wilderness with manna, the food from heaven: I will therefore rather choose to rely on His gracious providence for My support in this exigency, than work a miracle Myself for the supply of My wants. Bp. Portens.

Matthew 4:5

5. — the holy city,] St. Matthew here, and at chap. xxvii. 53, calls Jerusalem “the holy city.” It is mentioned by Volney, that the Orientals still call Jerusalem by a name which signifies “the holy.” Fragments to Calmet.

— a pinnacle] Or wing of the temple; that is, part of the roof of one of its courts. Bp. Pearce.

Matthew 4:6

6. — If thou be — cast thyself down:] He exhorts Him to cast Himself down in the sight of all the worshippers there assembled, and procure that glory to the Deity, and that honour to Himself which must be the consequence of their seeing literally fulfilled in Him that prediction of the Psalmist concerning the pious man, “He shall give His angels charge,” &c. Abp. Secker.

— for it is written, &c.] The tempter, perceiving that Christ relied on the authority of Scripture, now

Jesus is tempted. The angels minister unto him. Anno DOMINI 27. d Deut. 6. 16. lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Matthew 4:7

7. — Thou shalt not tempt the Lord] Thou shalt not rush into unnecessary danger in order to tempt God, in order to try whether He will interpose to save thee in a miraculous manner; much less ought this to be done as now proposed, for purposes of vanity and ostentation. Bp. Porteus. The Redeemer of the world, far from being disconcerted at the sudden change of the subject, or dazzled by so specious a plea, calmly answers by another text of Scripture, explaining and limiting that which the seducer had imperfectly quoted and wrongly applied. His answer instructs us, that we ought not from distrust to ask new proofs of His power, where we have had sufficient ones already; so neither must we from presumption urge Him to do for us what we have no need of, and what therefore He has given us no right to expect. For they who throw away the natural means which He has bestowed upon them for preserving themselves, forfeit all title to a providential protection. Abp. Secker.

Matthew 4:8

8. — and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world,] It has been thought by some a considerable difficulty to conceive how Satan could from any mountain, however elevated, “shew to our Saviour all the kingdoms of the earth, and the glory of them.” It should be considered however, that the mountain where this occurred, is described as exceeding high; and the Abbé Marii, speaking of this mountain, says, “Here we enjoyed the most beautiful prospect imaginable. This part of the mountain overlooks the mountains of Arabia, the country of Gilead, the country of the Ammonites, the plains of Moab, the plain of Jericho, the river Jordan, and the whole extent of the Dead sea.” These various domains the tempter might shew to our Lord distinctly, and might also at the same time point out, (for so the original word sometimes signifies,) and direct our Lord’s eye towards several other regions that lay beyond them, which might comprehend all the principal kingdoms of the Eastern world. Bp. Porteus.

Matthew 4:9

9. — If thou wilt fall down and worship me.] This audacious and impious proposal of Divine worship, which no true angel of light ever received or even tolerated, Rev. xix. 10; xxii. 9, detected the false fiend to be the power of darkness; and, in consequence, Jesus calls him by his proper name, and banishes him from His presence, as His Divine superiour. Dr. Hales.

Matthew 4:10

10. — Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, &c.] As if He had said, I defy thee and all thy proffers, being contrary to the revealed will of God, in whose holy word it is written, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,” &c. Bp. Beveridge. To each of the former suggestions the holy Jesus replied without emotion; but now, when the majesty of His heavenly Father was injured, and the faith of His own allegiance to Him assailed by so vile a falsehood, He bears no longer; tells the hypocrite that He knew him well to be the adversary of God, who had granted to no created being, much less to him, the honours and the authority which he claimed, and commands him that moment to quit His presence. Abp. Secker. “The name ‘Satan,’ as denoting an enemy, frequently occurs in the Old Testament.” See 2 Sam. xx. 22; 1 Kings v. 4, where the word for adversary is in the original “Satan.” It is probable, that the word Satan was introduced into the Hebrew, and other Eastern languages, to denote an adversary, from its having been the proper name of the great enemy of mankind. Bp. Watson. — Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only] These words express that there is one only God who is the object of worship, a Being eternal and infinite, supreme and independent, all-powerful and allwise, perfectly just and merciful and good; and the worship here enjoined includes every religious, every virtuous act and habit, by which regard is shewn to God, either in the affections of the mind, or in the expressions of the lips, or in the actions of the life. These words of our Lord also teach us, that we should prefer before all things the service of God, and the practice of true religion; being always ready to reject whatever shall come in competition with our duty, even the whole world if offered to us at the purchase of sin. If we be found of this disposition, lovers of truth, and doers of righteousness, the tempter will depart from us as he did from our Lord; angels will come and minister unto us, and the Spirit of God will preserve and guide us unto eternal life. Dr. S. Clarke.

Matthew 4:11

11. Then the devil leaveth him,] We have here a proof that the word of God, justly applied, affords a sure defence against the assaults of the devil; and that, if we resist him, he will flee from us. Bp. Mann. — angels come] And ministered unto Him, comforting Him at His trial, rejoicing at His victory, and refreshing Him after His long fast. Dr. S. Clarke. This history of our blessed Lord’s temptation teaches us, that even the best of men may sometimes be permitted to fall into great temptations; for we see that even He was exposed to the severest. It encourages us to hope, that, when temptations assail us, we may be blessed with Divine assistance to save us from the danger; for the great Captain of our salvation, when assaulted by all the art and all the power of Satan, rose superiour to all his efforts. We learn further from our Saviour’s conduct under this great trial, that when temptations assail us, we are not to hesitate and deliberate whether we shall give way to them or not, but must at once repel them with firmness and vigour we must instantly say to the tempter, “Get thee hence, Satan;” and he will instantly flee from us, as he did from Christ. Bp. Porteus.

Matthew 4:12

12. Now when Jesus had heard &c.] This was some time subsequent to Jesus’s baptism, and withdrawing Christ beginneth to preach, and calleth Peter and Andrew, &c. Anno DOMINI Or. deserved op. A. D. 31. that John was || cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

Matthew 4:13

13. — Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, &c.] As Capernaum is not once mentioned in the Old Testament, it is probable that it is one of the towns built by the Jews at their return from the Babylonish captivity, “upon the sea-coast;” that is, on the coast of the sea of Galilee, “in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim,” and consequently towards the upper part of this sea coast. It probably took its name from an adjoining spring of great repute, which, as Josephus informs us, bore the name of Capernaum. It is now so decayed as to consist of only a very few fishermen’s cottages. Dr. Wells. Capernaum and the adjoining villages were peculiarly fitted for the chief residence of our Lord, as His disciples chiefly resided there, and as the adjacent sea of Galilee afforded Him peculiar facilities for moving from place to place, and thus avoiding the importunities of the multitude. Dr. Hales.

Matthew 4:14

14. That it might be fulfilled &c.] Thus was remarkably fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, chap. ix. 1. Dr. S. Clarke.

Matthew 4:15

15. — beyond Jordan.] Rather, “by the side of Jordan,” as the Greek words may be translated; for Zabulos and Nephthalim were on the western side of Jordan, which was nearest to Judea and Galilee. Bp. Pearce. — Galilee of the Gentiles.] This northern part of Galilee was so called, either from its being extremely populous, or rather from its being inhabited by many Gentiles as well as Jews. Dr. Wells.

Matthew 4:17

17. — and to say, Repent: &c.] Our Saviour’s first address to the people is similar to that of the Baptist. The very first qualification He required of those who aspired to be His disciples, was repentance, a sincere contrition for all past offences, and a resolution to renounce in future every species of sin. Bp. Porteus.

Matthew 4:18

18. — by the sea of Galilee.] This sea or lake is very frequently mentioned in the Gospels, under the names of “the sea of Galilee,” from the province of Galilee in general; “the sea of Tiberias,” from the town of that name on its western shore; and “the lake of Gennesareth,” from that tract of Galilee called Gennesareth, which bounded it all along on its western side. This fresh-water sea or lake is mentioned in the Old Testement by the name of “the sea of Chinnereth,” or Cinnereth, Numb. xxxiv. 11; Josh. xiii. 27. Tiberias to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 4:19

19. — and I will make you fishers of men.] That is, You shall have a far better employment, in recovering men from ignorance and sin, and bringing them into the way of truth and salvation. Bp. Mann. 22. — they immediately left the ship — and followed him.] After the example of these Apostles, every Christian should be ready in heart and in mind to quit all that comes in competition with his duty, and to follow the Saviour in the path of holy living. All Anno DOMINI 31.

Matthew 4:23

23. — teaching in their synagogues.] It was the ordinary custom for the scribes to teach in the synagogues. It appears however, that the Jews, though they did not allow this liberty to illiterate persons or mechanics, yet granted it to Prophets and such as set up for heads or leaders of new sects, in order that they might inform themselves of their doctrines, and not condemn them unheard and unknown. Under these characters, probably, Christ and His Apostles were admitted to this privilege. Dr. Lightfoot.

— synagogues.] The Greek word for synagogue, as well as the Hebrew, signifies in general any assembly, whether sacred or profane; but it was commonly used to denote a place of assembly for religious worship. Authors are not agreed respecting the time when the institution of synagogues among the Jews began; but it is probable that they did not exist before the Babylonish captivity, as there is not only no mention of them in the Old Testament, but passages occur in some parts of it, which seem to disprove their existence. The Jews erected synagogues not only in towns and villages, but also in the country where there was a sufficient congregation, especially near rivers, for the purposes of purification. Service was daily performed in them, consisting of prayers, reading the Scriptures, and preaching or expounding them. A council, or assembly of grave and wise persons well versed in the law, was appointed to superintend and regulate all matters belonging to the synagogue and its service. Dean Prideaux, Beausole.

Matthew 4:24

24. — those which were possessed with devils.] There has been great variety of opinion respecting the demoniacal possessions, frequently mentioned in the New Testament. Some have thought that persons “possessed with devils” were merely madmen, and justify their opinion by what is said at John x. 20, “He hath a devil, and is mad;” but, in this present text, a decisive proof seems to be afforded that the phrase “possessed with devils,” signifies something distinct from common madness, because here the possessed with devils are expressly mentioned as distinct from “lunaticks.” And it is most clearly proved at chap. viii. 32, that the persons there mentioned were really possessed with devils, because the cure of mere madmen could not have

and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.

Anno DOMINI 31. # CHAP. V.

Matthew 4:25

25. — and from Decapolis.] Decapolis was a part of Syria, lying on the east of the lake of Gennesareth; so called because it contained ten cities. Abp. Newcome.

Chap. V. ver. 1.—into a mountain.] A few points towards the north of mount Tabor stands that which they call the mount of Beatitudes; a small rising, from which our Saviour is said to have delivered His sermon “on the mount.” Mawdrell. It is not far from Capernaum, northward of the sea of Galilee. Probably it is the same