V1-2            Matthew and Luke record Jesus’ temptation. A servant (as in Mark) would not be tempted; the Son of God (as in John) could not be tempted.

            Following Jesus’ baptism and anointing, there comes a time of tempting and testing, and this precedes His healing and teaching ministry. This is part of the Father’s plan for His Son, for He is led by the Spirit, but then tempted by the devil. Their work is exactly opposite; one to strengthen, and one to destroy. Through Jesus’ victory here, the Father shows the world the perfection of His Son.

            Here Jesus endures the full range of human experience; alone, hungry, tired, tempted; “He suffered being tempted,” for even a whiff of temptation would be abhorrent to the holy Son of God. But He suffers as we do, Heb 2.18; 4.15, and enables us to endure temptation, and to be victorious.

V3-11 For more detailed notes see Luke 4.

            “The tempter came to Him … the devil left Him;” thus the enemy is a real ‘person,’ with character, with strength, but utterly committed to the destruction of all that is good. The Lord Jesus endures 40 days and nights, with a mighty battle against the devil; He returns victorious from the fight. We note that His weapon is the Scripture, every time. Here is our weapon when temptation comes. Note too that angels come to Him; and they minister to us also, Heb 1.14.

4.12         – 15.39; the bulk of Christ’s early ministry; His initial address (chapters 5-7), miracles (chapters 8-10), and parables (chapters 11-13).

v12-17            Jesus’ public ministry began with popularity, and He meets growing opposition. His base is Capernaum, although He returns to Nazareth in Luke 4.16. Even the place of His ministry fulfils OT prophecy.

            Jesus’ message is “repent;” and this is true also at the end of His ministry, see 23.37-39. This is the prophetic ministry; declaring the character of God, and demanding a response in the people. This is also true of John Baptist (3.2), of Peter (Acts 2.38; 3.19; 8.22), and of Paul (Acts 17.30).

V18-22            The calling of the disciples, although the gospels do not list the calling of all of the Twelve.

            A key part of Jesus’ ministry is the preparation of the Twelve, and of other followers. Acts 1.1 indicates that the disciples are called to continue what “Jesus began both to do and teach.” Much of what is written here is specifically addressed to His disciples; chapters 5;6;7;10;18;24;25; and 14.22-33; 16.13-17.13; 20.17-19; 26.17-35; 28.16-20. Within these sections some teaching is just for the Twelve, and some for the wider group of disciples. Generally, once Jesus begins His journey to Jerusalem, more of His teaching is addressed to the Twelve.

            Jesus calls, “Come, follow me;” an invitation with authority. John 1 indicates that He has already met them and knows them; now He calls them to give up legitimate concerns, of work and family, to follow Him. Doubtless there is a cost in obedience, there is also great reward and fruitfulness in our lives.

V23-25            A summary of chapters 5-15. Here is Jesus’ widespread ministry of healing and teaching. He is popular, having crowds follow Him everywhere. Jesus preaches the gospel of the kingdom, and calls people to enter His kingdom, for He is king, see 7.13-14; 21-23. He comes with authority to teach and to heal.

            Matthew makes no mention of Samaria; compare 10.5; Matthew addresses Jews, for whom Samaritans were enemies.

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