Matthew 4:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When it is stated that Jesus felt hunger, the adversary approached and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” After receiving divine affirmation from heaven—“This is My beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17)—and hearing John’s exalted testimony concerning Him, the tempter encounters Jesus in His hunger. This creates confusion for him; recalling the declarations made about Jesus, he grapples with the idea that such a being could experience hunger. Hence, caught in his perplexity, he approaches with doubt-laden words. Just as he had previously approached Adam, fabricating a false narrative to uncover the truth, he now seeks to exploit the incomprehensible mystery of the Incarnation, weaving deceptive traps to unveil that which remains hidden. He inquires, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Notably, he doesn’t say, “If you are thirsty,” but instead questions His divine sonship, attempting to ensnare Him with flattery. By steering clear of outright temptation regarding greed, he aims to avoid exposing himself as an accuser and to humiliate Him. Failing to grasp the profound works of salvation as a source of glory for Jesus, he slyly alludes only to His exalted status.

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The vanquisher of the guilt of death has liberated us from both forms of mortality. Humanity faces two kinds of death: one inherent to our mortal existence, the other stemming from ignorance; a lack of knowledge of God equates to a deadened sensitivity. The devil is the instigator of both. Christ, having vanquished him, has liberated creation from both kinds of death: the soul is revived through life-giving truth, while the mortal body is rejuvenated through resurrection. If the oppressor falls, the oppressed shall rise. This struggle serves as a powerful illustration for us, showing that by observing it, we can draw strength. Where can we see this illustration? Observe the wilderness: it is there that grace has elevated us in a manner that undermines the tyrant, inflicting hardship upon him. The wilderness symbolizes the battleground; the devil is a representation of Christ’s hunger; three temptations, three responses—this is the nature of the struggle, which consists of three segments. Consider these three areas of this contest. “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to be made bread” (Matthew 4:3). Thus begins the devil's confrontation with the Lord. Yet Christ responds, “Man shall not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4). The Lord remains unscathed. Next the adversary proclaims, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down” (Matthew 4:6). This constitutes the second temptation. To this, Christ replies, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God” (Matthew 4:7). Thus concludes the trial. The final challenge unfolds with, “All these things I will give you if you will fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9). Here, we commence the third contest, where the Lord, like a skilled athlete, dismisses the devil as an obstinate contender. “Get behind Me, Satan; for it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve’” (Matthew 4:10). By witnessing this battle, learn to strive; become a learner from the observer of this conflict. The Lord's initial confrontation with the devil teaches you the nature of resistance against carnal desires. Hunger initiates this challenge; it embodies an unrestrained longing; hunger is central to our various pleasures. The craving for food represents an untamed desire; the stomach perceives an unavoidable indulgence; many, unable to remedy this condition, may become inclined to deny divine provision, as if there were no God overseeing the needy. The devil aimed to exploit this weakness in Christ by portraying Him as a man tormented by hunger; he was unaware of His divine nature, otherwise he would not have approached Him under such pretenses. Acknowledging that he himself cannot experience starvation, he erroneously speaks of food as an enticement toward Christ when viewing Him merely as human. The adversary, an insidious pursuer of worship, based on the tree, now like a greedy child, points to the wilderness where nothing but stones reside. This barren landscape, laden with despair over nourishment, serves to the soul as a catalyst for unbelief, threatening the essence of sonship. Yet let us examine the tempter and engage with the slyness of his remarks. “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” “You were declared,” he suggests, “Son just a moment ago during baptism, and I heard the voice affirm, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:17). I mocked that declaration, viewing it as empty flattery; perhaps it pleased you, and you feel genuinely cherished, as though elevated to heaven and enjoyed by God. What father neglects a famished child? What benefactor denies nourishment to a supplicant? Yet you have endured hunger for forty days, and your Father seems indifferent to your prolonged need. What loving father would not eagerly provide sustenance? Is it beneficial for a starving child to go unfed? Let Him express love through the readiness to give bread; let Him nourish His hungry child amidst wilderness. He is capable of transforming stones into bread; ask this of Him amidst your hunger—that you may dwell in His grace; but do not misuse His title before receiving this. Oh, the wretchedness of one who despises humanity! Oh, the grim compassion of one who loathes mankind! Oh, the destructive concern! Oh, the seductive venom! Fallen man incites disbelief and demands sustenance—not to nourish the hungry, but rather to provoke him against God through temptation. Turn back to God, the One who proclaims, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ How does Christ respond? He does not unveil the concealed God, lest he disperse his prey, but converses as a simple man: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ I am unmoved,” He declares, “by a lack of food; I am unaffected by hunger in the wilderness; I do not require bread fashioned from stones; divine providence encompasses various paths of caring, and His provisions are abundant. He has prepared sustenance for humanity; earthly desires come at a cost; yet the sacred scriptures teach me that God transcends nature. I recall His divine voice, instructing that we need not fear famine when God is our provider. Do not mourn for the hunger-stricken, nor succumb to despair in the wilderness; let God attend to our needs even when bread is absent. There exists a life-giving God who sustains life outside the realm of nourishment, and the flesh can thrive apart from food, so long as God commands it. Thus it is written, and I firmly believe in this divine assurance, not expecting life from food alone.” It is here that Adam faltered; Christ restores. As Adam succumbed through lack of faith and for the sake of food—he was expelled for failing to trust God and indulging—so Christ has come to raise us, commencing His ministry with fasting and belief. At last, the devil enters the fray himself. “Before His coming,” he claims, “I conspired against Him under the guise of dishonor; when that failed, I sought to track Him down through Herod; being perpetually thwarted, I shall now confront Him directly.” Oh, foolish blind one! Overpowered by the Child, and yet you dare to challenge the risen One! Come forth and witness Him in His maturity; acknowledge His authority once again. He was already bested when he attempted to approach the hungry One; (you knew He would resist). Yet, thinking himself victorious, he intensifies his efforts. Failing in the initial ploy, he applies a second cunning. “Unsuccessful,” he notes, “is my previous scheme; I shall abandon the stratagem that deceived Adam and move away from tempting Him with food. This one, however, seems to dominate his own cravings. He cannot abandon the allure of food; he has gone long without bread. He is undeterred by hunger altogether; the allure of indulgence cannot ensnare Him. I have conceived yet another tactic; my new bait is fame, which entices the soul. The chains of vanity are not merely enticing but are enveloped in twisted deception. A person enamored with glory can be frightfully boastful, and I will use this arrogance to my advantage. Perhaps He harbors an inflated self-image as a man who has starved for many days. I will provoke His vanity; I will approach Him masquerading as a righteous figure and bombard Him with a Psalm, as if it were foreordained for His sake, seeking to seduce Him with a sly inquiry. Let the cliff be the backdrop for my proposition; I will lure Him to the precipice of the Temple, and from those heights I will declare: ‘If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down, for it is written: “He shall command His angels concerning you, and they shall bear you in their arms, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”’ (Psalm 91:11). He must either heed this or scurry away. If He agrees, then, like a just man, He will quickly accept the suggestion to leap, and when He does, I shall mock Him if He falls victim to death; should He remain unscathed, I will have infiltrated Him with the poison of vanity by persuading Him to leap out of pride. If He refuses, I will provoke Him before God, akin to how Job was confronted, launching a slanderous accusation against His sonship. I will read to Him words You have inscribed and call attention to the promise of Your salvation, yet He dares not to plunge headlong; it becomes evident that He is not resolute in perceiving Your promise. How could You embrace such an unfaithful Son?” The Lord discerned His intent and allowed Himself to be borne up as a man might follow another. Ascending, the tempter presents His challenge: “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down.” To this diabolical enticement, we must respond. If you consider God as the Father of a man possessing control over himself to remain unharmed amid trials, this very fact serves as evidence; precisely this, devil, denotes sonship, that he who stands beside you cannot be thrust into danger by your machinations, even though you have long sought to cast Him down. His words imply an urging: “You will not fall without volition; willingly cast yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning you, and they shall lift you in their arms, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” This also illustrates and confirms His divinity. Had the adversary recognized God within Him, he would never have suggested His fall from such heights; he understood previously that God is unfazed by elevation or depth, instead, He ascends to great heights and fills the expanse of all. He was well aware that divine nature is immune to stumbling; stumbling is a predicament belonging to humanity, not divinity. His comments indicate he did not treat Christ as God. Let us delve into the meaning of his words. “You recently declared: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ I commend Your faith in God. However, there exists another saying that affirms how He will command His angels concerning you—they shall catch you in their arms should you fall against a stone. Demonstrate your belief in the word of God: if you fall, let it be without harm, that you may use this rapid descent as verification of your sonship, and employ the act of falling as evidence of divine protection. If, having leaped, you rise unharmed, you will confirm the sonship sincerely spoken to you, for it was you whom God assured He would command His angels for your sake to uphold you, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11). You, devil, have revisited your old tale; you attempt to render sweet what comes from a vessel devoid of perfume.

The adversary, having heard the declaration from heaven proclaiming, ‘This is my Son,’ observed the hunger of Christ and questioned how the Son of God could experience such need. Thus, he entices Him by suggesting, ‘If You are the Son of God,’ employing flattery as he assumes there is something being concealed from him. One might wonder what is wrong with the act of turning stones into bread. It is important to understand that yielding to the devil in any matter is sinful. Furthermore, the tempter did not simply say, ‘let this stone become bread,’ but rather referred to “stones,” intending to lead Christ into overindulgence, for bread alone is entirely sufficient for one who is hungry. Hence, Christ chose not to heed his temptation.

Satan sought to entice Christ into the snare of ambition, suggesting not that He eat, but rather, “Make a sign.” This was not a proposal for His assistance but, as previously stated, an attempt to lead Him into pride. Aware of this, Christ chose not to heed his words. Similarly, when the Pharisees asked for a sign, He refused to grant their request, as they approached Him with uncertainty in their hearts, questioning His divine nature while testing Him as a mere man. This serves as an essential principle for the saints in their interactions with non-believers and tempters: to avoid granting any opportunity for pride, even if it seems justified.

The tempter urges, "Command these stones to become bread." But the singular teacher responds, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:3-4). In this way, he demonstrated that one must conquer the longing for indulgence, so as not to be defeated even by the pangs of hunger.

Refer to 1 John 2:16.

To validate our actions or statements, we should primarily rely on the witness of Scripture, followed by what is accepted through common practice. Every word or action must be supported by the testimony of the divinely inspired Scriptures, to provide assurance for the righteous and to bring shame upon the wicked. When the tempter approached Him, he said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” Jesus replied, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:3, 4).

Why does the adversary challenge Christ during each temptation by asking, “Are you the Son of God?” These questions echo his original remarks in the Garden of Eden when he said to Adam, “In this day thou shalt sleep, your eyes shall be opened” (Genesis 3:5), implying that our forefathers were misled by God. Thus, in every one of his statements, he consistently adds: If you are indeed the Son of God, meaning if the proclamation that names you as such is valid, why do you not demonstrate this by complying with my requests?

"Command these stones to turn into bread," he urged, aiming to entice Him to satisfaction, hoping that the Lord, after a prolonged fast, would be thrown into confusion and led into temptation. Through these words, the adversary acknowledged that He who originates from God has the power to transform stones into bread. The tempter proposed, "Speak to these stones so they may become bread," knowing that bread serves as sustenance for those born of a woman.

A fitting response is given to the one who is in need. Yet you, adversary, are caught in a profound contradiction. If He has the ability to transform stones into bread, then your temptation of Him, who possesses such great power, is futile. Conversely, if He is unable to perform this miracle, then your doubts about His identity as the Son of God are equally meaningless, as you challenge Him with the words, If thou art the Son of God, say, That these stones may be made bread.

Mark and Luke both recount that He faced temptation during the forty days (Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2), indicating that these tests occurred from a distance: in moments of sleep, sorrow, and more. When he saw Him in a state of hunger, the tempter drew closer, enticing Him with the particular passion of hunger, namely gluttony. Observe his approach. He had heard from John and the voice from heaven that this was indeed the Son of God. However, ignorant of the fact that the Son of God had assumed human form—keeping the mystery of His humanity concealed from him—he mistakenly presumed Him to be merely a man favored by God for His righteousness. Therefore, the tempter felt envy towards Him for receiving such honor akin to the first Adam and aimed to strip Him of that honor as he had done previously.

The adversary provokes temptation, yet the Lord intervenes to overcome it. The foe initiated his challenge by questioning the Lord, asking, "If thou be the Son of God, say that these stones may become bread." In his ignorance of the divine mystery, he poses a question he does not comprehend. His inquiry, marked by doubt, reveals his uncertainty about the Lord’s identity. Despite having received the announcement from the angel to the Virgin regarding the birth of God's Son, and having witnessed the Magi abandon their false wisdom to reverently honor the newborn child, the enemy finds himself in turmoil.

Christ, my greatest ally, did not transform the stones into bread, not because the moment for wonders had not yet arrived, as the celebrants suggest, but rather because the request was futile and suited only for the one who made it. God provides in abundance, with precision, and according to necessity; in this instance, the request was excessive, and the act of performing a miracle was entirely out of season.

The Redeemer, possessing the eternal image and likeness of God, needed to confront the same temptations that Adam faced in his original state of innocence, such as gluttony, vanity, and pride. Gluttony is evident in Adam's consumption of the forbidden fruit; vanity is reflected in the promise, "Your eyes shall be opened"; and pride is encapsulated in the statement, "And ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil" (Gen. 3:5). Thus, the Lord Redeemer also underwent temptations in these three passions.

If we examine the sequence of Christ's temptation, we should reflect on the challenges inherent in our deliverance from temptation. The ancient adversary opposed our first ancestor with three temptations: he lured him into gluttony, pride, and greed. However, the first man succumbed to these temptations through his own consent. He was enticed into gluttony as the tempter highlighted the forbidden fruit, encouraging him to eat. He was similarly led into pride with the suggestion, "You shall be like the gods" (Gen. 3:5). Additionally, he was tempted by the allure of power when he promised, "You shall lead the good and the evil." Greed encompasses not only the desire for wealth but also an obsession with status, which is why it is deemed covetousness – the excessive yearning for exaltation.

The Redeemer approached Him and declared, “Why do you not utilize your strength for your earthly necessities; why endure hunger? IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, look at the stones in the wilderness; they resemble loaves of bread remarkably well. It would cost you nothing: merely utter a command, and those stones will transform into bread, satisfying your hunger while simultaneously demonstrating that you are indeed the Son of God. Who would believe in you if you cannot perform this miracle?” The tempter chose not to say, “If you are,” as that would carry shame for Jesus, but instead addressed Him as the Son of God, attempting to deceive Him with flattery. At that moment, the tempter was at a loss regarding Jesus' identity: whether He was an ordinary man or something more.