What does Luke 4:3 mean?

During this wilderness experience (Luke 4:1–2), Jesus will be tempted by Satan. Each temptation speaks to a particular temptation that comes with human nature. In each case, Christ will respond with a quotation from Scripture and reject the allure of sin.

This temptation could be phrased as "doing a good thing for a bad reason." At forty days of starvation, Jesus would be nearing the limit a human being can survive without food. The Devil's implication, here, is that if Jesus is really the prophesied "Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13), He has both power and privilege to make food when He wants it.

Satan is not suggesting that Jesus steal food, or murder for it, or eat something unclean. Food, itself, is not a sin at all. Rather, this temptation is about ignoring God's will in favor of what's easier or more pleasurable. The Spirit of God led Jesus into this fasting; God has some purpose behind it. To ignore God's call—even if the act would normally be a good thing—is a sin. Even hardship and suffering can be part of God's will for our lives.

Jesus' response cites Deuteronomy 8:3. In that passage, Moses reminds Israel how God provided for them during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. True "life" requires more than just physical needs; it requires faithful obedience to God and His will. In rejecting this temptation, Jesus chooses to trust and obey God rather than seeking an easier path.