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Lenten Season · First Sunday in Lent · Year C

Luke 4:1-13

The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness

March 5, 2028

The Temptation of Christ by the Devil, Félix-Joseph Barrias
The Temptation of Christ by the Devil, Félix-Joseph Barrias, 1860Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa
On a mountain top the devil crouches and points down to the kingdoms of the world, while Christ in red and blue turns away and points upward.Jesus answered him, It is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.Félix-Joseph BarriasA French academic painter of the Second Empire, known for history paintings and church decoration.Philbrook Museum of Art, TulsaThe Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, Oklahoma, set in an Italianate villa and gardens.Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 4:1-13Lk 4:1-13
EpistleRom. 10:8b-13Rom 10:8b-13
Old TestamentDeut. 26:1-11Dt 26:1-11
PsalterPs. 91:1-2, 9-16Ps 91:1-2, 9-16

Overview & Insights

"Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil." (Luke 4:1-2)

Fresh from his baptism, Jesus is driven into the wilderness where the devil tests him three times, over bread, power, and presumption on God. Jesus answers each test from Deuteronomy, and Luke's opening word for Lent is that the Spirit-filled Son of God can be tested without being defeated.

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Commentary

Commentary on Luke 4:1-13Commentary on Lk 4:1-13 Working Preacher

Working Preacher's reading of the Adam-Christ contrast behind Jesus' wilderness testing.

Luke 4:1-13Lk 4:1-13 Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching-focused commentary on the same Year C occurrence of this text.

Luke 4 - David GuzikLk 4 - David Guzik Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse evangelical commentary on all three temptations and Jesus' replies.

Luke 4 CommentaryLk 4 Commentary Precept Austin

Word-study heavy commentary outlining the three temptations as self-serving, self-honoring, and self-proving.

Luke 4:1 CommentariesLk 4:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries verse by verse on the wilderness testing.

Luke 4:1 InterlinearLk 4:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text and parsing for peirazo (tempted/tested), the passage's key verb.

Trust and See, Lent 1 (C) Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

A ready-to-preach Anglican sermon connecting the wilderness testing to Lenten trust and almsgiving.

Background & Word Study

Luke 1-9 Video OverviewLk 1-9 Video Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Luke's opening chapters, including Jesus' wilderness testing.

The Church Fathers

Luke 4 - Catena AureaLk 4 - Catena Aurea Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on each of the three temptations.

Sermons & Reflections

Three Temptations Journey with Jesus

An essay inviting readers to name their own version of Jesus' three tests.

Worship & Prayers

First Sunday in Lent: Collect and Propers The Lectionary Page

The full set of collects and readings appointed for Lent 1, Year C.

Podcast

#1011: First Sunday in Lent, C - March 9, 2025 Working Preacher

A lectionary discussion of identity, vocation, and trust across all four Lent 1 readings.

Art & Music

Revised Common Lectionary Art Index Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt's Art in the Christian Tradition database keyed to the day's readings.

Study Hub

Lenten Links and Resources Textweek

A hub page linking commentary, worship, and preaching resources across the Lenten season.

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