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    Matthew 4 (KJV)

    Read Matthew chapter 4 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    Matthew 4

    Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

    Matthew 4:4

    "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live …"

    Popular Verses in Matthew 4

    Most searched verses from this chapter, with KJV text and context.

    Matthew 4:4 KJV

    Word of God

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    Matthew 4 Summary

    Matthew 4 records two foundational events: Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and the beginning of His public ministry. After fasting forty days, Jesus faces three temptations from Satan — to turn stones to bread (provision), to throw Himself from the Temple (spectacle), and to worship Satan in exchange for the world's kingdoms (shortcut to power). Jesus defeats each with Scripture.

    After the temptation, Jesus begins preaching in Galilee — 'Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' — and calls His first disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. The chapter captures the transition from preparation to proclamation, from wilderness to ministry.

    Key Themes

    Temptation of JesusScripture defeats SatanKingdom of heaven at handCalling of first disciplesMinistry begins in Galilee

    Key Verses in Matthew 4

    "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

    — Matthew 4:4

    Jesus' first defense — God's Word sustains life more fundamentally than food.

    "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

    — Matthew 4:17

    The summary of Jesus' entire message — His first public words.

    "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

    — Matthew 4:19

    Jesus' call transforms vocation — He doesn't reject their skills but redirects them.

    Life Application

    Jesus faced real temptation — not theatrical but genuine enticement to accomplish God's purposes through shortcuts. Turning stones to bread isn't evil; it was the timing and the trust issue that made it sin. This chapter teaches that the enemy's strategy isn't usually to offer obviously bad things but to offer good things through wrong means or at wrong times.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Could Jesus have sinned?

    This question has been debated for centuries. The temptation was genuine — Hebrews 4:15 says He was 'tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.' Whether He could have sinned but chose not to, or was unable to sin by nature, the point is the same: He faced real temptation and overcame it by the Word of God.

    Why did Jesus answer with Scripture?

    Jesus modeled the proper weapon against temptation — God's Word. All three responses came from Deuteronomy, showing that knowing Scripture is essential for spiritual warfare. He didn't debate Satan philosophically; He simply declared what God had already said.

    Read the full summary of Matthew

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