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Explanation for:
Matthew
4
:
6
And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.
11
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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":"In every temptation, the adversary begins by questioning whether He is indeed the Son of God. However, the Lord responds with such humility that it leaves the adversary uncertain. The words of the tempter, who seeks to lead all astray, suggest, \\"Throw yourself down.\\" While such words may seem convincing, they cannot bring us to ruin. For it is written, \\"He shall command his angels concerning thee, and they shall bear thee up in their arms, lest thou stumble against a stone with thy foot,\\" as stated in Psalm 91:11-12. However, this passage is a prophecy concerning a righteous person in general, not specifically about Christ. Thus, the devil misinterprets the Scriptures. If he truly understood that this referred to the Savior, he would have included the subsequent lines in the same Psalm that are directly relevant to him: \\"On the asp and the adder, you shall tread; the lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.\\" The adversary speaks of angelic assistance as though the Lord were feeble, intentionally neglecting His holy humiliation."},{"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":"What does this despicable tempter attempt next? After being thwarted by Christ and failing to sway Him despite His deep hunger, the adversary resorts to a different tactic, proclaiming, ‘If you are the Son of God, come down: for it is written, that He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their arms.’ Why does he always preface his temptations with, 'If you are the Son of God'? Just as he deceived the first humans, he continues this pattern. Back then, he misrepresented God by saying, ‘In this day you shall surely die, your eyes will be opened’ (Genesis 3:5), making it seem as if they were misled and not blessed. Now, he similarly implies, ‘God has called you His Son in vain, and has led you into delusion with this gift. If this is not the case, demonstrate His divine power.’ Since the Lord responded to him using the words of Scripture, the devil similarly references the words of the prophet. \\n\\nHave you noticed the impact of the prophet's presence, how it stirred the hearts of many and brought to light their transgressions? It truly was a remarkable sight to witness John in human form performing such wonders, speaking with such courage, opposing everyone like a child, and radiating great grace on his face. Their amazement was compounded by the fact that a prophet had appeared after a prolonged absence; the prophetic voice had become rare among them, returning after a long period. The nature of his preaching was also peculiar and unexpected. In fact, John did not discuss the usual subjects: earthly conflicts, military confrontations, victories, famine, the sea, or the conquests of Babylon and Persia, nor the fall of cities, or any other commonplace matters, but instead spoke of heaven, the heavenly kingdom, and the consequences of sin in Gehenna."},{"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":"He addressed Him, “Cast Yourself down to the ground, for it is written, ‘They shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone’ (Ps. 90:11, 12). O tempter, if this Psalm applies to Christ, does it not also say, ‘on his back He shall bear you’? (cf. Ps. 90:4). It cannot be that those who can soar fall, for the air beneath their wings is as solid as the ground. Has it not already been declared, ‘You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra’ (Ps. 90:13)? The adversary cherry-picked from the Scriptures for his own purpose, disregarding what contradicted him. Similarly, those who propagate heresy extract portions of Scripture that align with their misleading teachings while ignoring passages that challenge their false beliefs, thereby clearly aligning themselves with this deceiver. Furthermore, when told to ‘cast yourself down to the earth,’ it signifies a descent into the earth through death. It is stated about the Angel, ‘He will cover you with his feathers’ (Ps. 90:4); thus, with the Angel's protection, you will be as secure as a bird, and you shall not fall. The reference is consistent across the Armenian text of the Psalter; in both the Syriac and Hebrew texts. Context reveals that St. Ephrem interpreted it in the manner of the Syriac, rather than the Armenian."},{"author-name":"Isidore of Pelusium","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d94130e668938c9ae9d_Isidore%20of%20Pelusium.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The scripture, “He will command His angels concerning thee; they shall take thee in their hands, lest thou stumble at a stone with thy foot” (Psalm 90:11, 12), refers to a just individual and was misinterpreted by the adversary. He may have comprehended it incorrectly or deliberately sought to twist its meaning. Christ clarified this succinctly by stating, “It is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matthew 4:7). God vows to assist those who are in peril, not those who provoke Him; He provides aid to those in need rather than to those who seek to demonstrate their own significance and grasp at vain glory. While I acknowledge that this passage might have implications for me, as even angels are in service to me, its primary reference is to a person of righteousness."},{"author-name":"John Cassian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88e1dc7e78105e5ac80c2_John%20Cassian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The Redeemer, possessing the incorruptible identity and stature of God, needed to confront the same temptations that Adam faced while he was in a state of innocence—specifically, gluttony, vanity, and pride. The gluttony is evident in Adam's consumption of the fruit from the forbidden tree; vanity is reflected in the phrase, “Your eyes shall be opened,” while pride is found in the assertion, “And ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:5). In these three areas, the Lord Jesus was also tempted. Gluttony is showcased when the adversary urged Him, “Say that these stones may become bread”; vanity when he taunted, “If Thou art the Son of God, cast Thyself down”; and pride when he displayed the kingdoms of the world and their splendor, claiming, “All these things I will give Thee, if, falling down, Thou wilt worship me” (Matt. 4:3, Matt. 4:6, Matt. 4:8, 9). The Saviour permitted these temptations to teach us how to overcome the adversary by following His example in repelling him. Both figures are referred to as Adam. The first resulted in humanity's fall and death, while the latter is associated with resurrection and life. Through one, all of humanity faces condemnation; through the other, all may find salvation. The former was created from the unrefined earth, and the latter was born of the Virgin Mary (1 Cor. 15:22, 45, 47). Therefore, it was essential for Jesus Christ to endure these specified temptations, without the necessity for additional trials. The second Adam, Jesus Christ, had to confront and triumph over the temptations of gluttony, vanity, and pride, which ensnared the first Adam and led to his fall. It was vital that Jesus did not yield to additional temptations such as carnal lust—something the first Adam encountered in his innocence. Overcoming gluttony would render Him impervious to lust, which stems from excess and would not have tempted Adam had he not first indulged in gluttony, seduced by the devil's flattery. Hence, it is stated that the Son of God came “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Rom. 8:3) rather than in flesh marked by sin itself. Although He possessed genuine humanity—eating, drinking, resting, and enduring real suffering on the cross—He lacked the sinful inclinations that can lead one into transgression. He did not experience the intense pangs of carnal lust that often overpower human desire; He took only the form of our nature. Having completely fulfilled His earthly responsibilities and bearing the frailties of humanity, He was mistakenly thought to share in this passion, giving the impression that He bore the roots of this sin within Him. The devil's temptations were directed only at those passions where he had previously ensnared Adam, under the assumption that, as a man, Jesus could also be led into other sins in the same way. However, upon being vanquished in the first encounter, the devil could no longer ensnare Him with that second temptation—lust—stemming from the original vice of gluttony. The adversary recognized that the Saviour possessed no means for this vice to take root and thus did not expect to reap the consequences of sin, having no basis in Him for such seeds or roots. Luke the Evangelist identifies the final temptation in these words: “if Thou art the Son of God, cast Thyself ... down” (Luke 4:9), a testament to the temptation of pride. The devil, by displaying to Him all the kingdoms of the earth in an instant and promising them to Him (Luke 4:5-7), suggested the sin of covetousness. After failing to tempt Him through lust, the adversary now turned to covetousness, recognizing it as the root of all evils. However, upon being defeated in yet another attempt, he refrained from inciting any vices that emerged from covetousness for fear that they too did not stem from anything within Him. He ultimately resorted to pride, a temptation that can ensnare even the most virtuous, recalling that even he, in his former state as Lucifer, and many others, fell from grace due to this very vice without the previous temptations leading to it. Thus, the sequence noted by Luke and the techniques employed in tempting both Adam and the second Adam, Jesus Christ, remain consistent. To the first Adam, he proclaimed, “Your eyes shall be opened”; to the second Adam, he revealed all the kingdoms of the earth and their splendor; there, he promised, “You shall be like gods”; and here, he taunted, “If You are the Son of God.”"},{"author-name":"Augustine of Hippo","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88950a5c988a4fc06c7ae_Augustine%20of%20Hippo.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The final enticement of curiosity was introduced as the tempter urged Christ to leap from the pinnacle of the temple, intending it merely as a test. However, Christ remained unwavering, responding in a way that demonstrates that one does not need to seek God through visible signs to truly know Him. He stated, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matt. 4:7). \\n\\nRefer to 1 John 2:16."},{"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":"When the devil questions, ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he implies that he does not accept the divine declaration and challenges Christ to prove His identity as the Son of God. Truly lamentable! If He truly is the Son of God, would He willingly leap into danger? It is typical of your malice to cast down those who are in turmoil, whereas God’s nature is to rescue them. It is not stated regarding Christ, ‘They shall bear you up in their arms,’ but rather concerning the faithful who require the aid of angels. However, Christ, as God, does not require such assistance."},{"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":"After experiencing a setback in the initial temptation, he approaches again for the second test, seeking to entrap Him through pride. He instructs Him to leap from the heights and be rescued. To further torment Him, he begins by questioning, \\"If you are the Son of God,\\" suggesting that he desires this act as evidence of His divine sonship, even though the previous sign was not provided. He believed that the potential for many witnesses to His miracle would make Him more susceptible to his manipulation. This way, He might succumb to the lure of vanity, as if He were to dive for the sake of gaining admiration from onlookers. The very suggestion he makes is drawn from the Psalms of David, demonstrating that he attempts to persuade using Scripture convincingly. Yet, even in this, the malevolent intent cannot remain concealed."},{"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":"He challenged him, saying, \\"You expressed your hope in God, who would not allow your demise; now demonstrate your unwavering faith and reliance on God. The Lord has acknowledged you as His Son, but has He not deceived you? If you truly are the Son of God, then manifest your divine strength. Look, there are crowds gathered below; they need affirmation that You are indeed the Son of God, so descend swiftly. Surely the angels will guard You, and the people will witness the miracle of Your deliverance and recognize You as the Messiah. You cite the Scriptures; they instruct believers to place their trust in God and promise assistance to those who do: for it is written in the Psalms: 'The angels shall charge over you, to keep you in all your ways; they shall bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone' (Psalm 91:11-12). This assurance extends to every believer: if you are the Son of God, the Lord will act on your behalf, should you desire it. This reflects how artfully the adversary ensnares souls. He knows that the Holy Scriptures, the Word of God, proclaim the law of life for Christ our Savior, and he misuses that very Word, twisting it for his own nefarious ends."},{"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":"In his temptation of the Lord to leap from the heights of the building, the devil cites a passage from the Psalms (Psalms 90:11-12), asserting that if Jesus is indeed the Son of God, He is assuredly safe. Since every believer is promised divine assistance, it follows that the Son of God would receive even greater protection, with angels guarding Him from harm. The crux of this temptation lies in provoking a yearning within Jesus—a challenge, in a sense, to evoke a miracle from God, thereby exposing vanity, arrogance, and spiritual pride. The devil taunts, “If you are the Son of God, then God will fulfill any request you make, even if a miracle is unnecessary.”"},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"If He truly is the Son of God, what would prevent Him from leaping from this great height to demonstrate His divine majesty to the entire city, thus advancing His mission? In terms of His protection, as the Son of God, He could confidently depend on the assistance of angels, for it is stated, “He shall give charge of Thee to His angels, and they shall bear Thee up in their arms, lest Thou stumble at a stone with Thy feet.” Wouldn't this serve as a remarkable testament to His unwavering faith in God and the fulfillment of prophecy? The temptation presented itself in a sophisticated and profound manner, with the devil even citing the Holy Scriptures to support it."}]}
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