Category:Temptation of Jesus (subject)

Temptation of Jesus refers to an episode in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, narrated in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 1:12-13; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13).

Overview

According to the Gospel of Mark, after his Baptism, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. Jesus fasted "forty days"; he was tempted by the Devil, and then attended and nourished by the angels. Matthew and Luke describe the "three" temptations in details, drawing apparently from the same common source (Q). Luke omits the reference to the angels.

The Temptation of Jesus in ancient sources

Gospel of Mark

Mark 1:12-13 (NRSV) -- [12] And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. [13] He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV) -- [1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. [2] He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. [3] The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." [4] But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" [5] Then the Devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, [6] saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" [7] Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" [8] Again, the Devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; [9] and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." [10] Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" [11] Then the Devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Gospel of Luke

Luke 4:1-13 (NRSV) -- [1] Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." 4 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" 5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." 8 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" 9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' 11 and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" 12 Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Cf. Gospel of Barnabas

[14a] Jesus descended from the mount, and passed alone by night to the farther side of Jordan, and fasted forty days and forty nights, not eating anything day nor night, making continual supplication to the Lord for the salvation of his people to whom God had sent him. And when the forty days were passed he was an hungered. Then appeared Satan unto him, and tempted him in many words, but Jesus drove him away by the power of words of God. Satan having departed the angels came and ministered unto Jesus that whereof he had need.