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Lenten Season · First Sunday in Lent · Year A

Matthew 4:1-11

The Temptation of Jesus

February 22, 2026

The Temptation of Christ, Ary Scheffer
The Temptation of Christ, Ary Scheffer, 1854Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Scheffer's Christ stands upright and still, turned slightly away, while the tempter leans towards him out of shadow.It is the forty days, and the painting makes the refusal rather than the offer the subject.Ary SchefferA Dutch-born painter who worked in Paris, taught the royal children, and specialised in religious and literary subjects of great sentiment.Walker Art Gallery, LiverpoolLiverpool's civic gallery, given by a brewer in 1877, with a strong Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite collection.Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 4:1-11Mt 4:1-11
EpistleRom. 5:12-19Rom 5:12-19
Old TestamentGen. 2:15-17; 3:1-7Gn 2:15-17; 3:1-7
PsalterPs. 32Ps 32

Overview & Insights

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

After narrating Jesus’ birth and baptism, Matthew concludes his introduction to Jesus’ identity (1:1–4:16) with wilderness temptations. The temptation story continues the comparison between Israel and Jesus, emphasizing how Jesus remains utterly loyal to God during his wilderness testing. This motif emerges via Jesus’ three citations of Deuteronomy that attend to Israel’s lack of loyalty to Yahweh during their wilderness journey (Deut. 6; 8). Matthew displays Jesus as representative Israel who is faithful and true to God’s covenant. Later, in the Passion Narrative, Matthew will highlight Jesus’ faithfulness at Gethsemane (26:36–46), when Jesus resists the temptation to pursue his own will and remains faithful to God’s missional plan for him.

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Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 4:1-11Commentary on Mt 4:1-11 Working Preacher

The temptation of Jesus read as the new Israel who resists in the wilderness where the first Israel failed.

Matthew 4:1-11 CommentaryMt 4:1-11 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching commentary noting each reply of Jesus is drawn from Deuteronomy's wilderness texts.

Matthew 4 - Enduring Word Bible CommentaryMt 4 - Enduring Word Bible Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik walks the three temptations and the ministering angels verse by verse.

Matthew 4 CommentaryMt 4 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse-level notes and word studies on the wilderness testing and the devil's proposals.

Matthew 4:1 CommentariesMt 4:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on the Spirit leading Jesus up to be tempted.

Background & Word Study

Book of Matthew Overview, Chapters 1-13Book of Mt Overview, Chapters 1-13 BibleProject

Animated overview that places the baptism and temptation at the opening of Jesus' ministry.

Matthew 4:1 InterlinearMt 4:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for the words wilderness, tempted, and devil.

The Church Fathers

Matthew 4 commentary from the Church FathersMt 4 commentary from the Church Fathers Catena

Patristic readings of the wilderness fast and the threefold temptation.

Sermons & Reflections

On the Mount of Temptation: First Sunday in Lent Journey with Jesus

An essay following Jesus into the wilderness to face the fullness of his humanity.

Monday Meditation: RCL Year A, Lent 1, Matthew 4:1-11Monday Meditation: RCL Year A, Lent 1, Mt 4:1-11 Gary Neal Hansen

A Presbyterian pastor's meditation on praying with the temptation narrative during Lent.

Podcast

#1070: First Sunday in Lent - February 22, 2026 Working Preacher (Sermon Brainwave)

Luther Seminary’s homiletics roundtable on this Sunday’s appointed texts, including Matthew 4:1-11.

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