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Explanation for:
Matthew
4
:
2
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry.
13
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"During this period of forty, which reflects the fasts of Moses on Mount Sinai and Elijah near Mount Horeb, we witness the sacrament. The Savior's body was allowed to experience hunger, thereby providing an opportunity for the devil to present temptation."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The devil encountered Christ in the desolate wilderness—Mark affirms this stating, \\"Be with beasts\\" (Mark 1:13). Observe the craftiness and deceit with which he approaches, waiting for the moment when Jesus was not merely fasting but famished. This teaches us that fasting serves as a formidable weapon against evil; it urges us, once we have been cleansed in baptism, to refrain from indulgence, luxury, and excessive feasting. Christ undertook fasting, not for His own need, but to instruct us in the value of it. Just as a physician advises a healed patient to avoid the causes of their sickness, so Christ ordained fasting post-baptism. After all, it was gluttony that led Adam out of paradise, caused the deluge in Noah's time, and precipitated the destruction of Sodom. This is echoed by Ezekiel: \\"But this is the iniquity of the Sodomites, that in pride, and in the fullness of bread, and in the abundance of wine, they glutted themselves\\" (Ezekiel 16:49). Likewise, the Jews fell into wickedness through drunkenness and gluttony, leading to grave transgressions. Thus, Christ fasted for forty days, presenting us with a model for holy practice without overshadowing the truth of His incarnation with undue miraculous spectacle. Prior to Him, Moses and Elijah with divine fortitude bore similar fasts. If Christ had fasted longer, it may have raised doubts about His true humanity. By fasting for forty days and nights, He created the opportunity for the devil to confront Him, showcasing through His struggle the pathway to victory. Just as wrestlers train their students by engaging in combat, Christ engaged the devil to teach us how to prevail.\\n\\nI rejoice to witness the Church of God adorned by its faithful, who have gathered with joy. Your radiant expressions reflect the heart's cheer, as stated, \\"A merry heart makes the face merry\\" (Proverbs 15:13). Today, I rise with fervor to partake in this spiritual joy alongside you and to herald the approach of the holy quadricentennial, a balm for our souls. The Lord, a loving Father to us all, seeks to cleanse us of our sins by offering the grace of holy fasting. Thus, let no one mourn or appear dejected; instead, let us rejoice, proclaiming the goodness of our souls' Keeper, who reveals to us this extraordinary path, welcoming its arrival with great delight. Let the Greeks be shamed and the Jews, too, seeing our eager embrace of this time, understanding the vivid contrast between our joyous reception and their revelries, which they confuse with true celebration. Yet, the Church of God characterizes fasting—separating ourselves from worldly pleasures and practicing virtues—as our true feast. This gathering is a celebration of salvation, peace, and unity, devoid of worldly clamor and chaos, instead filled with tranquility, love, joy, meekness, and countless blessings. \\n\\nLet us delve into the significance of fasting, likening it to how one prepares for a sacred union, cleansing the environment in anticipation of the bride. Likewise, I call upon you to purify your souls and embrace fasting—the mother of all blessings and the model of holiness. As we anticipate its benefits, let fasting serve as the medicine for our spiritual health. Doctors often instruct patients to abstain from certain foods to ensure the efficacy of their treatment; we likewise must prepare our hearts and minds for the spiritual healing that fasting provides, preventing our weaknesses from rendering it ineffective.\\n\\nWhile some may find these words unexpected, let us not conform to habitual patterns but instead align our lives with reason. What benefit does one gain from excessive indulgence? Certainly, it leads to greater harm and inevitable ruin. Consider the fruitful outcomes of fasting: Moses earned the privilege of receiving the law after forty days of fasting, and upon witnessing the sins of his people, he broke the tablets in despair. He was deemed worthy to receive them again only after another forty days of fasting (Ex. 24:18). Similarly, Elijah fasted and was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:1, 11). Daniel's faithful fasting brought him remarkable visions (Daniel 10:3) and serenity in the face of feral foes. The Ninevites, through fasting, turned from their iniquities and prompted a divine change of heart, affirming that fasting exerts profound influence.\\n\\nBefore turning to examples of lesser beings, we look to our chief Example: Our Lord Jesus Christ, who, after forty days of fasting, confronted the devil, modeling for us the strength derived from fasting. Some may wonder why the Lord did not fast longer than the servants; it was done intentionally, showcasing His genuine humanity. He wished to dispel doubts about His incarnation and assure us that He united with our nature. From various testimonies in Scripture, we recognize that fasting holds great power and offers abundant blessings for the soul. As you reflect on this, I urge you to uphold the value of fasting and rejoice in its arrival, as the Apostle Paul reminds us, \\"If our outer man is wasting away, our inner man is being renewed day by day\\" (2 Corinthians 4:16).\\n\\nFasting nurtures the soul, freeing it from the burdens of worldly pleasures and lifting it toward higher realities and aspirations beyond this fleeting existence. Just as light vessels traverse the seas unburdened, fasting alleviates our minds, enabling us to navigate life's stormy waters toward heavenly goals. In contrast, drunkenness and gluttony hinder and imprison the soul, making it susceptible to destructive inclinations. Let us, therefore, not neglect our spiritual journey, mindful of the negligence that can arise from indulgence.\\n\\nLuxury and hedonism are condemned not only in the New Testament where greater standards are set but were also warned against in the Old Testament, reminding us to avoid excess and self-indulgence. The prophet laments: \\"You who consider the day of trouble to be far off ... lie on beds of ivory and lounge on your beds, eating the best sheep from the flock and bullocks from the fat pasture, ... drinking wine out of bowls\\" (Amos 6:3-6). He emphasizes the fleeting nature of such pleasures, exposing their ultimate futility and the lasting sorrow they can bring.\\n\\nSpiritual wealth diverges from the ephemeral load of material pursuits; it is secure, reliable, and provides profound assistance where it is needed. Hence, let us diligently strive to gather this blessing, questioning ourselves daily about our spiritual growth, renouncing passions, and seeking truth. If we want to cultivate souls that adjust and improve, we must do more than listen; we must transform ourselves through fasting and spiritual practices.\\n\\nAs we gather each day for worship and guidance, we must seize opportunities for growth in virtue. If we fail to become changed through our efforts, we are left vulnerable to condemnation. Like a teacher distressed by a student's inaction despite ample guidance, we find sorrow in spiritual stagnation. Thus, I implore you not to view this time as mere observance but rather as an opportunity to acquire lasting spiritual treasures that will sustain us eternally.\\n\\nFinally, let us forsake empty pleasures, embrace fasting, and cultivate other virtuous behaviors, aiming for profound transformation in our lives as we prepare for the solemn day of resurrection. May we diligently seek to be filled with divine grace through the intercession of the saints, giving glory to our loving and merciful God, who exists in unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The aim was to overcome the adversary, enabling His presentation as one who is accused and condemned before all. Yet, through His teachings, the Lord showed us that in such trials, we should earnestly desire the word of God alone. Why is it that Scripture does not depict Moses and Elijah experiencing hunger, while it clearly states that the Lord felt hunger? I believe this is done for two reasons: first, to demonstrate through Scripture that those who claim He did not assume a physical body are mistaken; and second, to provide an opportunity for Satan to tempt Him, saying, “Say ... to these stones, that they may become bread” (cf. Matt. 4:3)."},{"author-name":"Basil the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c889927158e4af30595484_Basil%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Our Lord, having fortified the body He assumed for our salvation through fasting, faced the assaults of the devil. He taught us through His own fast how to prepare ourselves for challenges in times of temptation and made it possible for the enemy to approach Him during His hunger. In the fullness of His divinity, He would have remained inaccessible to the adversary had He not, through His hunger, embraced human frailty. \\n\\nFasting marks the commencement of the New Testament's message, beginning with our Savior. After being baptized for our sake, He retreated into the desert and embarked on a fast, thereby establishing the foundation for miraculous signs. This was not due to any need for fasting on His part, but rather to instruct us on its significance. Thus, as the Old Testament begins with fasting (Exodus 34:28) and the New Testament is built upon it, we should not dare to view fasting as a negative practice."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Lord undertook a fast lasting forty days for two primary reasons: firstly, to provide us with a model for overcoming temptation through fasting, and secondly, to establish the significance of a forty-day period for our own fasting practices. He fasted in a manner that would neither outright demonstrate His divinity nor rob the devil of the opportunity to tempt Him, thus preserving the path to His ultimate victory. Throughout those forty days, the devil, witnessing the Lord’s self-denial, fell into despair; however, once he perceived that the Lord was hungry, a flicker of hope reignited within him. As he approached the One who seemed outwardly famished, he discovered that inwardly, the Lord was ever-satisfied. In this encounter, the devil sought to tempt the hungry One, but he was overpowered by the One who is never in want. It is intrinsic to human nature to feel hunger, while it is extraordinary for anyone to endure such a lack for an extended duration like forty days. The adversary failed to recognize that One who truly experiences no need may still, by His own choice, enter into that experience."},{"author-name":"Peter Chrysologus","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896c8505740d15218d3ed_Peter%20Chrysologus.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":5,"exegesis-text":"Dear brothers, it is evident that the forty-day fast is not merely a human creation, but rather a divine decree, shrouded in mystery and surpassing our understanding. Fasting arises not from human necessity, but through heavenly instructions. This forty-day period embodies a fourfold doctrine of faith, as the concept of perfection is consistently represented in fours. The numbers forty and ten, which encapsulate the mysteries of both heaven and earth, serve as our means to articulate the sacred fast, since the entirety of divine revelation cannot be fully grasped through the dimensions of the earthly realm alone."},{"author-name":"Gregory the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88c2b032f5f6e5effaa54_Gregory%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":6,"exegesis-text":"As we engage with the significance of this period, it is fitting to reflect on the forty-day fast of our Savior. As we commence this season of Lent, we must ask ourselves: what is the purpose behind observing this forty-day fast? Moses fasted for forty days to receive the law a second time (Exodus 34:28), and Elijah also spent forty days fasting in the wilderness (1 Kings 19:8). Our Lord, who took on human form, fasted for forty days without sustenance (Matthew 4:2). During this Lenten season, let us likewise strive to discipline our bodies through abstinence to the best of our ability. \\n\\nThe significance of the forty days in relation to temperance stems from the fact that the sum of the commandments, represented by ten, is encapsulated in the four Gospels. Thus, multiplying ten by four results in forty; we fulfill the commandments when we align our actions with the teachings of the Gospels. We can also consider that our mortal bodies are comprised of the four elements, and through their indulgence, we are led to transgress the commandments of God, which we recognize as the Ten Commandments. Consequently, having disregarded these commandments due to our fleshly desires, it is only just that we should engage in a process of mortification for our flesh over the forty days of Lent. \\n\\nThis season, however, can be viewed in another light. The period from now until the joyous celebration of Easter encompasses six weeks, amounting to forty-two days. When we account for the six Sundays, which are not days of abstinence, we are left with thirty-six days of true fasting. Since a year spans three hundred sixty-five days, our thirty-six days of fasting symbolically represents a tithe of our time—sacrificing a portion of our year for our Creator while largely living for ourselves. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, as the law instructs us to offer a tithe to God (Leviticus 27:30ff), let us also strive to dedicate a tithe of our days to Him. Each individual, to the extent of their strength, should seek to mortify their flesh, restrain their desires, and extinguish unwholesome urges, so that, as Paul exhorts, we may present our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). Our sacrifices are both living and active when we do not shun our responsibilities in life, yet simultaneously put to death the desires of the flesh.\\n\\nThe indulgence of the flesh has led us to sin, yet it is now the humbled flesh that can guide us toward redemption. For it was through disobedience, influenced by the fruit of the forbidden tree, that our death was wrought. Hence, we who have lost the joys of paradise for the sake of food must strive to reclaim them by practicing self-denial. However, let us not deceive ourselves into believing that mere abstinence suffices. The Lord, through the Prophet, proclaims, “This is not the fast I have chosen;” He goes on to instruct us to share our bread with the hungry and to invite in the needy (Isaiah 58:6, 7). God favors a fast that focuses on uplifting others through acts of charity, rooted in love for our neighbor and driven by genuine piety. Therefore, what you refrain from for yourself, share with others, ensuring that the sufferings of your flesh benefit those in need. \\n\\nAs the Lord reminds us through the prophet, “If you fast or weep, do you fast for Me? And if you eat or drink, do you not eat and drink?” (Zechariah 7:5, 6). He who consumes solely for himself, utilizing the bountiful gifts of the Creator, neglects the poor. Indeed, everyone who fasts only for their own sake fails to embody the spirit of self-denial, especially if they hold onto what they have withheld from themselves after their fast. In this light, the call to “sanctify the fast” (Joel 1:14; Joel 2:15) means to engage in abstinence worthy of God, combined with other virtuous actions. Let us put aside anger and conflict. It is futile to nourish the body if the soul remains enslaved to impurity. The Lord cautions us through the Prophet, “In the days of your fasts you shall find your own desires, and all your labors shall be in vain” (Isaiah 58:3). It is unjust not only to demand what is owed to us, but it is essential that everyone who is contrite and repentant also refrains from insisting on what is rightfully theirs. Thus, as we come to God in humility, forgiving what is justly ours out of love for Him, we find His mercy in absolving our wrongdoings."},{"author-name":"Maximus the Confessor","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8951a1dea23713695271e_Maximus%20the%20Confessor.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"What accounts for Moses' and Elijah's forty-day fasts; why did the Lord, as if affirming the work of His servants, choose to go without sustenance for the same span of time; and what significance does the number forty hold? Throughout the sacred Scriptures, the number forty often conveys hardship: the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years, endured four hundred years of servitude in Egypt, and the present world, where we experience trials, is formed from four elements. Thus, Moses, as the initial lawgiver who conveyed the Law to the newly formed Israelite community, fasting for forty days symbolizes that his legislation required the rejection of sinful practices—since all sin is rooted in the bodily and sensual. Similarly, Elijah, endowed with the prophetic spirit and surpassing the Law's commandments, also observed a forty-day fast, which signifies that the prophetic call urges one to renounce the mental acceptance of sin. Ultimately, the Lord, the Completion of the Law, Who uniquely bore the sins of the entire world, has empowered us not only to refrain from sin in action and thought but also to transcend mere representations."},{"author-name":"Andrew of Crete","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c889007b8398dd095b2389_Andrew%20of%20Crete.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":8,"exegesis-text":"During the Lord's forty-day fasting period in the wilderness, He ultimately expressed His hunger, showing His human nature. Do not let your spirit be disheartened, O soul, if the adversary comes against you; instead, let him be repelled from your stance through prayer and fasting."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Fasting exemplifies the potency of self-denial as a means to combat temptation, contrasting the allure of indulgence which leads to sin. He fasted for an extended period, akin to the days of Moses and Elijah. Had he fasted further, his human form might have appeared ethereal. By embracing his humanity and experiencing hunger, he opened the door for the adversary to confront him, thereby experiencing suffering and ultimately triumphing over the devil, granting us the victory."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He commenced with fasting, demonstrating that it serves as a formidable shield for those engaged in battle against evil spirits. He adhered to the duration of fasting similar to that of Elijah and Moses, thereby ensuring that He remained within the bounds of human experience, which makes His humanity credible. Consequently, He ultimately cried out, affirming His human nature, as it is innate for people to express themselves vocally after a period of fasting. The mention of the nights may appear unnecessary; however, it seems to be included in reflection of Jewish fasting practices, as the Jews would partake in meals at night after fasting throughout the day. Yet, Mark and Luke do not reference the nights explicitly, as they are understood within the context."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"AFTER FASTING FOR FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS, HE FINALLY BECAME HUNGRY. The significance of the number forty in the Scriptures often points to either the consequences of sin—such as the forty days of rainfall during the flood or the forty years of the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness—or signifies a period of repentance, as seen in the fasts of Moses and the people of Nineveh. Unlike the first Adam who faltered in the Garden, the Lord Jesus, regarded as the second Adam, undertook the strictest fast and triumphed over temptation. Although He had no need for fasting, He chose to exemplify it for our instruction, highlighting it as a vital tool for overcoming the adversary. St. John Chrysostom teaches, \\"Understand what a profound benefit and powerful weapon fasting is against the devil; recognize that one who has been cleansed by baptism should not give in to gluttony and drunkenness.\\" The great prophets Moses and Elijah also fasted for forty days, and Christ the Savior chose to observe this period as well, ensuring there was no doubt about His Incarnation and preventing the devil from retreating at the first hint of His divine identity. St. John Chrysostom points out the cunning nature of Satan: he did not strike when Jesus was in prayer but waited until the Lord felt hunger. Yet, in that very state of hunger, the Savior permitted the tempter to approach, as His divine nature renders Him impervious to the devil's influence. If the devil audaciously dares to confront Jesus Christ Himself, in whom there is no sin (John 14:30), it follows that this infernal spirit perpetually seeks to stoke every impure desire within humankind. The Evangelists do not specify the form in which the devil appeared to the Lord; however, it is clear that he manifested not merely as a mental provocation of sinful thoughts but as a tangible embodiment of evil—Satan himself."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Fasting involves the complete abstention from nourishment, as illustrated in Luke 4:2: I ate nothing these days. The practice of fasting for forty days and nights is documented in the Old Testament. For instance, the Prophet Elijah fasted for forty days (1 Kings 19:8), and Moses also observed a fast of the same duration (Exodus 34:28). Christ engaged in fasting not out of necessity, but for our instruction. He fasted for forty days; however, He refrained from continuing further to prevent the extraordinary nature of the miracle from casting doubt on the very reality of the Incarnation. If He had prolonged His fasting, it might have led many to question the truth of the Incarnation. Finally, after the forty days, He experienced hunger, which demonstrated His true humanity."}]}
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