Category: Matthew Chapter 4

We have in these verses the beginning of our Lord’s ministry among men. He enters on His labours among a dark and ignorant people; He chooses men to be His companions and disciples: He confirms His ministry by miracles, which rouse the attention of “all Syria,” and draw multitudes to hear Him.

Let us notice the way in which our Lord commenced His mighty work. “He began to preach.”

The first event in our Lord’s ministry which St. Matthew records after His baptism, is His temptation. This is a deep and mysterious subject: there is much in the history of it which we cannot explain; but there lie on the face of the history plain practical lessons, to which we shall do well to take heed.

Let us learn, in the first place, what a real and mighty enemy we have in the devil. He is not afraid to assault even the Lord Jesus Himself. Three times over he attacks God’s own Son: our Saviour was “tempted of the devil.’’