Verse 1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Why? To find the answer to that question a few things have to be explained first.
Many people and many of the churches that this writer has attended teach that Jesus was half man and half God. Think about that concept. If that was true, Jesus would be like the devil Pan who is reported to be half man and half goat as far as his physical and spiritual composition. This is ridiculous. Jesus wasn’t and isn’t half anything! Jesus was and is fully God manifesting in a fully human body. However, He chose not to function and He did not function as Almighty God while He was on this Earth. He functioned as a man.
But you say, “Jesus healed and raised the dead and cast out demons so He had to be functioning as God.” Really? Then the apostles that healed and raised the dead and cast out demons were also God? Obviously, healings and other works were not what proved Jesus to be God. He functioned as a human being who was in right relationship with God. Jesus said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30 Read that verse again slowly. Jesus said He could “do nothing” unless told to by the Father. He functioned as a man in the will of God. And later, the apostles and Church leaders and lay people also healed and cast out devils and raised the dead because they were in right relationship with God and operating in His Spirit. Jesus also said in John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Read this verse again slowly.
Ask yourself, “Why did Jesus come to Earth then?” Well the answer is in 1 John 3:8. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.“ So God came to Earth and inhabited a body of flesh and was called Jesus (Joshua – salvation) to defeat the Devil and destroy his works. So in healing, Jesus destroyed the works of the Devil as sickness and disease is of the Devil. In raising the dead, Jesus destroyed the works of the Devil because death is the wages of sin and sin originates with the Devil. In casting out devils, Jesus destroyed the works of the Devil and provided freedom to the possessed and oppressed people in bondage to the Devil. And according to Jesus’ own words, believers should be able to do the same works if they are in right relationship with God through the power of the Holy Ghost/Spirit that was called the Comforter and sent to the people of God after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
So why was Jesus led into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil? The answer is in the book of Hebrews 2:14-18 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour (to help or bring aid) them that are tempted.” “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.” Hebrews 4:15
Application: Believers in right relationship with God are to be like Christ. That is the meaning of the term, Christian. Therefore, believers are to be doing the same works that Jesus did, destroying the same works of the Devil that Jesus destroyed, and through these works, testifying to the lost the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Believers are commanded to “heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8 Think about it. Have you, the reader, been living below your God-given and commanded power and authority? Can you stand up to demonic forces and defeat their works in the name of Jesus?
Verses 2-3 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.
If you, the reader, have ever attempted a fast, you know how difficult it is and how the thought of food is a continual nagging presence. So imagine how it would feel physically and emotionally to have not eaten for forty days and nights. And then imagine having a neighbor or family member show up and discuss food. The temptation written about in these verses demonstrates some of the Devil’s tactics and strategies. The Devil is not creative, and the tactics or temptations he used against the LORD Jesus Christ are the same ones he uses against believers today. To shut this evil spirit up, Jesus simply quoted Scripture to it, Deuteronomy 8:3.
Application: The Devil knew who Jesus was. He knew Jesus created all things and so it would not be a difficult task for Jesus to turn rocks into warm, fluffy bread. Notice that the Devil attacks when a person is vulnerable and needy. But notice that the way to defeat demonic temptation is to quote Scripture. The Devils cannot stand against the word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:4 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;” One of those weapons is “. . .the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17
Verses 5-7 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.
The holy city would have been Jerusalem and the pinnacle most likely was the top of the temple at Jerusalem. It is interesting that the Devil took Jesus (God, very God) to the very center of the corrupt Jewish religious system and to the very building that was supposed to be for the worship of the one, true God (Jesus), but which will be seen later to have become a center of money exchange and bribery. The Scripture quoted by the Devil was part of Psalm 91 which is talking about the psalmist putting his trust in God, and as a result, the LORD would be his refuge and fortress. This is not a messianic Psalm referring to Jesus as far as this writer can tell, but a Psalm showing the protection and goodness of the LORD who is Jesus. The 91st Psalm is below for reference.
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. (Psalm 91)
Jesus simply quoted Deuteronomy 6:16 to put an end to this part of the Devil’s conversation.
Application: The Psalm above clearly shows that the believer is always near to and in the protection of the LORD. It is the person who is dwelling with and trusting in the LORD that can rest in the assurance of protection and peace. Notice verses 6 and 10. The believer does not have to worry about pestilence or pandemics/plagues as even viruses, bacteria, fungi and all other micro-organisms, either natural or man made, are under the direct control of the Father and cannot hurt the believer if the LORD is his/her refuge and strength. Do you have faith in the provision of the LORD?
Verses 8-10 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.
Again, Jesus simply quoted Scripture, Deuteronomy 6:13, and then ordered this spirit to leave. This devil knew the truth and could not stand against it. Here Jesus names the devil (diabolos) as Satan (Satanas) whose name means “adversary”.
Application: Notice that Jesus did not contradict Satan’s claim that he could give to Him all the kingdom’s. Satan’s turf is the Earth. Although the LORD has ultimate control of everything in Heaven and in the Earth, for a time it seems Satan has been given power and authority over the kingdoms. Satan’s goal was and is to be God. If he had gotten Jesus, who is God, to worship him, then Satan would have been in the position of God. Satan and his devil followers use this same tactic today when they promise fame, financial gain and power to the people they influence. Faust, the German astronomer and necromancer, was not the first person to sell his soul to Satan. Many people have given themselves to evil spirits for worldly gain.
This writer is going to discuss a topic related to the above verses at this time, and that topic deals with who has authority or dominion over the Earth. As stated above, it seems that Satan and his demonic angels have been given power and authority over the kingdoms of the world. But who gave them this power? Well, sadly, mankind gave them the power. And, sadly, the Church has failed to take that power away. Let’s look at this closely and read the following with an open mind before deciding this writer is off the mark.
Genesis 1:26 states, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
Psalm 115:15-16 states, “Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.”
So man has dominion over the Earth. The heavens belong to God, but He has given the Earth to men. God did not give the Earth to the Devil. He gave it to men. The word “dominion” means sovereignty or control.
Luke 4:5-7 “And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.”
The word “power” is the Greek word for authority. “Authority” means the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. So according to Satan himself, the authority over all of these kingdoms he was showing Jesus was delivered to him, and he was willing to give this dominion and authority to Jesus if Jesus would worship him as a god.
But, the Earth was given to man by God. So when did Satan become the god of this world? Remember, Jesus did not dispute Satan’s right to transfer the power/authority over all the kingdoms of the world, so the power must have been his. Whenever the world was handed to him, he became the god of this world. If he became the god of this world when all the power was given to him, then whoever handed it to him had to be considered the god of this world first. Who handed it to him? Adam.
The word, “god”, with a little “g” simply means a person who has authority over an area or over a kingdom. “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?” John 10:34 So the word “god” did not and does not mean divine. It meant authority. But if you believe that God created this world and gave it to man, saying, “Here take it, guard it, keep it take care of it,” and then He backed off to allow man to have the freedom to rule it, this explains why God doesn’t just come in every time the Devil is doing something unrighteous and intervene. He gave the Earth to man as a gift and He is not going to change His mind and take it back. However, the Earth is the LORD’S if and when man invites Him in and allows Him to work through mankind to accomplish His will. And that is the purpose of each believer and the Church. The purpose of living here on the Earth is to allow God to work through each believer. Each believer has been given dominion or authority over the things of the Earth. Believers are called kings and lords, a royal priesthood and a peculiar people. 1 Peter 2:9
Read the last seven verses in Mark chapter 16.
Mark 16: 14-20 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16)
In these verses Jesus “upbraided” (reproached) his disciples for their unbelief and then commanded them to do miracles in His name. He was saying basically, “You are the authority here. You deal with it. You tell people the truth. You show people through miraculous signs my love and glory. You take away the power of devils to inflict death and disease upon the people. You cast the devils out of people and out of places so they cannot operate on the Earth that I have given to you. I have given you my power and I will give you the ability to do these things. You can defeat the power of the devils and take back control of the Earth. You are in charge because I am headed back to my heavens.” Just as Adam gave away man’s dominion of the Earth, Jesus, being the last Adam, provided the way to take back dominion of the Earth. Can you, the reader, see that believers in the Church are living way below the level God intended them to be? Is it not time to take back dominion and authority over the Earth as God intended it to be when He gave it to man?
Verse 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
When the Devil left, the angels came. Each believer has ministering angels that are unseen and yet that are ministering all the time. Wonderful truth.
Verses 12-16 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
Matthew quoted from Isaiah 9:1-2, another Messianic prophecy from the Old Testament.
Why did Jesus wait until He got the news of John the Baptist’s imprisonment before leaving Nazareth? Perhaps it was because God does all things in a timely and organized fashion and therefore the ministry of John had to cease for the ministry of Jesus to begin. John never was released from prison and was executed for telling the truth. He was the forerunner of Jesus and he let the people know that one greater than he was coming soon.
Verse 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
The city of Capernaum was located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, also called Lake of Gennesaret, where the Jordan river flows into the lake. The name Capernaum means “village of comfort”, a fitting place for Jesus who is the Comforter to begin His ministry.
Jesus was very clear from the beginning of His ministry that His message was about the kingdom of Heaven and not an earthly kingdom. The Jews were looking for a Messiah who would come and rescue them from whatever heathen government power was controlling them, and then set up a kingdom on Earth like that which their ancestors had experienced under King David and King Solomon. They wanted power and control on the Earth. They wanted salvation from human institutions and were not looking for salvation of the soul from sin, death and hell. In time, Jesus was a disappointment to the Jewish leaders as He did not take on the Roman government and set up a kingdom on the Earth. “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36
Application: Churches today, for the most part, have adopted an end time scenario developed by one Cyrus Ingerson Scofield (August 19.1843-July 24, 1921). He was a lawyer, district attorney, politician, self appointed minister, and then made himself into a theologian. He was a deserter in the Civil War, he had to resign as district attorney because of scandals regarding financial transactions, taking bribes and stealing political contributions. He was a heavy drinker and deserted his catholic wife and two daughters. This writer has difficulty understanding how true believers can accept anything as being Biblical truth from a man with such character flaws and a history of sinful acts. However, his basic premise by taking Scripture out of context is that the LORD Jesus Christ is going to come back to Earth to establish a government that will last for 1000 years. Wouldn’t Jesus have told His first century followers that this was the plan if His kingdom was going to start in Heaven and then relocate to a fallen Earth? Instead, Jesus proclaimed over and over that His kingdom was not of this Earth. Believers, His kingdom will never be of this Earth. This Earth will be judged and destroyed by fire. The Apostle Peter tells the believer what to expect when Jesus returns to Earth. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.“ 2 Peter 3:10 Peter and the other New Testament writers do not describe a righteous, 1000 year rule by Jesus on this Earth. So who will you, the reader, believe; Scofield or the Apostle Peter?
Verses 18-20 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Notice that when Jesus called to Peter and Andrew to follow Him, they just stopped what they were doing and obeyed.
Verses 21-22 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Not much is written about the families of the Apostles, but these two brothers had a business they were operating with their father and, like Peter and Andrew, they stopped everything to follow Jesus. One can only imaging the thoughts that went through Zebedee’s mind when his two sons simply left him alone with the boat.
Application: Jesus calls to unbelievers all the time, and sadly, many fail to hear and to obey. Jesus also calls to His believers all the time and, sadly, they are often not hearing His voice. The distractions of living in a sin filled world can block out the voice of the LORD. That is why the believer needs to take time every day to be alone in the presence of the LORD with His word and with prayer and to heed the voice of the LORD and obey His directives.
Verses 23-25 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
The name “Galilee” means “Circuit”. The word “lunatick” means to be moon-struck. Today it is often taught that the word is referring to epilepsy or to an epileptic. But the Greeks would not have known about the physical condition of epilepsy so this writer does not think that the word “lunatick” in the verses above is referring to this neurological condition. It is believed that the symptoms a person displayed intensified and decreased with the phases of the moon, hence the idea of being moon struck.
The people of Jesus’ day were no different to the people seen today. They were curious at this newcomer and they wanted something from Him. They flocked to see Him because He was different, He was teaching about the things of the LORD, and there had not been prophets for close to 400 years until John the Baptist. Remember, the New Testament was not written yet and the common people had very little access to the words of the Old Testament as reading was not necessarily a skill most people had opportunity to learn and the scrolls containing the Old Testament Scripture were kept by the priests of the Temple and they disseminated what they wanted the people to hear. Power and control was their religious intent. The common people also flocked to see Jesus because He gave them what they needed and it was free of charge. He became their doctor and they were healed, their counselor and they were helped mentally and emotionally, and He freed them from the tyranny of evil spirits so they were in control of their minds and bodies. Who wouldn’t follow a man that could benefit them in so many ways. And His popularity made the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes very jealous.