Luke 4:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Jesus answered him, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’"

NIV: Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ "

NASB: And Jesus answered him, 'It is written: ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.’?'

CSB: But Jesus answered him, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone."

NLT: But Jesus told him, 'No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’ '

KJV: And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

NKJV: But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”

The first of Satan's wilderness temptations is an attempt to make Jesus set aside trust in God, in favor of an easier path. Worse, the Devil suggests that since Jesus is the prophesied "Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13), He has the power and right to make food whenever He wants (Luke 4:3). Succumbing to this sin would mean ignoring the purpose for which the Spirit led Him to fast (Luke 4:1–2). Food is good, and Jesus was certainly hungry—but God had a plan for His experience.

Jesus' response refers to Israel's forty-year experience in the wilderness. There, God provided food in the form of manna. However, that food came with a set of instructions. To eat, the people had to trust God's provision. Obedience and faith are just as important to true "life" as physical food (Deuteronomy 8:3). Jesus echoes that sentiment here. Even though food is good, and not forbidden, He will not sin by doing anything contrary to God's will.

Luke 4:1–13 describes Jesus' temptation by Satan. During forty days of fasting, the Devil entices Him using offers of comfort, power, and prestige. In each case, Jesus responds with Scripture and a commitment to God's will. This series of events is also recorded in Matthew 4:1–11 and Mark 1:12–13. While Matthew's account implies an explicit order for these temptations, Luke's does not.

Jesus is taken into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. While fasting there, He is tempted by Satan. These temptations share an element of ignoring God in favor of what seems easier or quicker. Jesus resists all of these, citing Scripture as He does. When Jesus returns, He preaches and heals to great publicity in Judea and Galilee. While His hometown responds with stubborn skepticism, others are eager to hear His teaching and experience His miraculous power.

Chapter 3 explained how John the Baptist preached to prepare others to receive Jesus Christ. Luke then provided Jesus' earthly ancestry. Chapter 4 begins with Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. He returns to preach and perform healing miracles in Judea and Galilee. Chapter 5 shows Him calling disciples and demonstrating further proofs of His authority.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 11/21/2024 11:55:04 AM