The Temptations of The Son of God According to Matthew 4:1-11
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Date
2003
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
More often than not, we presume that temptation is a sin. On the contrary, it is
not sin ( rather it is neutral or indifferent. It is simply an attraction to an object or certain
action that is normally associated with eviI.2 In biblical sense, temptation is a situation
of choice between fidelity and infidelity to one's obligations toward God.3 It is
ordinarily translated from a Hebrew word 7197Z (mosso) whose root rici; (nissa) means
"to put to the test", "to try", "to prove".4 The LXX and the New Testament use the verb
TrapciCco (peirazo) with the sense of "to test" or "to tempt" to evil. But the test as it is
should not be judged as wrong or bad since it is not out of one's choice. Judgment
should only be based on the responce to the temptation.
In the story of the fall (Gen 3:1-24), the snake in the Garden of Eden tested Eve,
but we cannot blame her for being tempted. We can only judge her guilty or innocent as
k as her responce to the temptation is concerned. The same could be said of Adam. After Eve seduced him to eat the forbidden fruit, he had two choices: to deny or to
accept. It is from his choice that Adam is judged. Humanly speaking, it is very logical
that the Israelites were tempted to follow the gods of other nations who seemed to be
more powerful in their eyes and reject the God of Israel. The seduction to idolatry was
more appealing than following the God who "neglects" them as they journey in the
desert. We see here a general trend in temptation. The wrong or forbidden action is
more appealing and enticing than the acceptable one.
It is in this context that we encounter the temptations that Jesus underwent. It is
more appealing to have bread if one is hungry instead of to starving (cf. Matt 4:3). It is
humanly enticing to show spectacular powers rather than remain ordinary in the face of
others (cf. Matt 4:6). And who does not want to amass wealth and be considered great?
Yet these are the temptations that Jesus endured in order to manifest his kingship.
If temptations "came to the Son [of God] himself, they will certainly come to his
followers"5 and for this reason they are part and parcel of Christian life. In his
experience, Paul says, "I can will what is right, but cannot do it. For I do not do the
good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do" (Rom 7:18-19). Human life is full
of temptations and coping with them is an enormous challenge. For that reason I chose
to focus on the Temptations of Jesus. My hope, in this study, is to gain insights that can
help Christians face temptations and triumph as Jesus did. Matthew's teaching on this
reality goes a long way in empowering humanity to do God's will instead of following
human desires only.
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Keywords
Temptations, Son of God, Matthew 4:1-11