WHY DID JESUS CHRIST QUOTE DEUTERONOMY DURING HIS TEMPTATIONS?
by Shawn Brasseaux
Did you ever realize that Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy during His temptations? Why was He using this Book and this Book alone? Why not appeal to something in Psalms, or Proverbs (passages frequently quoted today in difficult times)? What was so special about Deuteronomy that the Lord Jesus used its passages to ward off Satan’s antics?
Matthew chapter 4: “[1] Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. [2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. [3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. [4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Verse 4 is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3: “And he [the LORD] humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.”
Matthew chapter 4 continued: “[5] Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, [6] And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. [7] Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Verse 7 is from Deuteronomy 6:16: “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.”
Matthew chapter 4: “[8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; [9] And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. [10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Verse 10 is taken from Deuteronomy 6:13: “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.”
Matthew chapter 4, verse 11: “Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
In these temptations, also recorded in Luke 4:1-13, Jesus Christ is identifying with His people, Israel’s believing remnant. Deuteronomy records Israel just as they are about to enter the Promised Land under Joshua. Likewise, Israel’s believing remnant, during Daniel’s 70th Week, will soon enter the land. They will be re-gathered into their land at Christ’s Second Coming (Matthew 24:30-31).
Hebrews chapter 4 says of temptations: “[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Satan’s evil world system, as it tempted Jesus Christ before He began His earthly ministry, will test Israel’s Little Flock once our Dispensation of Grace ends with the Rapture. Since Jesus Christ quoted applicable Scripture to overcome His time of testing, they are urged to follow His ensample in their period of testing. He left them a pattern, and just as He was faithful during those challenging times, they can rely on Him to get them through their trial. As He was faithful to Father God, He can enable them to be dedicated to Him (Father). This is “the trial of [their] faith” of 1 Peter 1:7.
First John chapter 2 says to those Jewish believers in the future: “[15] Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. [18] Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” Verse 16 adequately summarizes all temptations—including those of Christ, Israel, and us! “The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.”
John’s audience exists in Israel’s program before the Antichrist comes (verse 18). They will be alive when he does appear, and will live as he reigns. The Holy Spirit through John has provided information in 1 John so the Jews can distinguish believers and unbelievers during the end times. They will be able to tell who are God’s people, true Jews, and who are Satan’s counterfeits, unsaved Jews (see 1 John 2:21-23, 1 John 3:6-15, 1 John 4:1-4, Revelation 2:9, Revelation 3:9; cf. Matthew 13:25-30,37-50).
Also see:
» What is the “temptation” in 1 Corinthians 10:13?
» What does 1 John 1:8 mean, “We deceive ourselves?”
» How many angels will be with Jesus Christ when He returns?
