Matthew
Chapter 4
Overview
Matthew 4 opens in the wilderness, where Jesus goes without food for forty days and faces the devil’s tests. Jesus refuses to use his power for himself or to gain authority by worshiping evil. After John is arrested, Jesus goes to Galilee and announces that God’s rule has come near. He calls four fishermen to follow him, then travels throughout the region teaching, sharing the good news, and healing people who are suffering.
1Then the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tested by the devil.
2After going without food for forty days and forty nights, Jesus became hungry.
3The tempter came to Jesus and said, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4Jesus answered, “The sacred writings say, ‘A person does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from God’s mouth.’”
5Then the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, the holy city, and placed him on the top edge of the temple complex.
6The devil said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. The sacred writings say, ‘God will give his angels orders concerning you. They will carry you in their hands so that you do not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7Jesus replied, “The sacred writings also say, ‘You must not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8Next, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
9The devil said, “I will give you all of these if you bow down and worship me.”
10Jesus answered, “Go away, Satan! The sacred writings say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.’”
11Then the devil left Jesus. Angels came and cared for him.
12When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.
13Jesus left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum, beside the lake, in the territories of Zebulun and Naphtali.
14This fulfilled the words spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
15“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, along the road by the sea, across the Jordan River—Galilee, where non-Jews live—
16the people sitting in darkness have seen a great light. Light has risen for those living in the land covered by death’s shadow.”
17From then on, Jesus began to announce, “Change the way you think and live, because God’s kingdom—his rule—has come near.”
18As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew. They were fishermen and were throwing a casting net into the water.
19Jesus said to them, “Come and follow me, and I will teach you to fish for people.”
20They immediately left their nets and followed Jesus.
21Farther along, Jesus saw two other brothers: James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. Jesus called them.
22They immediately left the boat and their father and followed Jesus.
23Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He taught in the synagogues, the Jewish meeting places, announced the good news about God’s kingdom, and healed every kind of disease and sickness among the people.
24News about Jesus spread throughout Syria. People brought him everyone suffering from various diseases and severe pain, including those troubled by demons, those having seizures, and those who were paralyzed. Jesus healed them.
25Large crowds followed Jesus from Galilee, the Decapolis region of Ten Cities, Jerusalem, Judea, and the area across the Jordan River.