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Explanation for:
Matthew
4
:
8
Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,
9
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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":"The splendor of this world, which is destined to fade alongside the world itself, is revealed on the mountain and through pride. However, the Lord chooses to descend into humility and the lowly places, so that He might triumph over the adversary through His humbleness. In response, the devil quickly seeks to take Him back to the mountains, hoping that others might experience the same downfall he once faced, in alignment with the apostolic warning: Lest he should become proud and fall into condemnation with the devil, 1 Tim. 3:6."},{"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":"It should come as no surprise that the adversary, when addressing Christ, vacillates between extremes. Much like a wounded combatant who is bleeding profusely and frantically moves about, the devil, having already taken significant hits, begins to utter whatever thoughts come to him, thus launching a third assault. \\n\\n*****\\n\\nSee Matthew 4:9."},{"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":"One who can withstand the temptations of the flesh might still be ensnared by the empty yearning for worldly power. Consequently, all the kingdoms of the earth were presented to him, along with the promise, \\"All these things I will give you, if you fall down and worship me.\\" In response, he stated, \\"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve\\" (Matthew 4:9-10). In this way, arrogance was subdued."},{"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":"Some interpret the great mountain as the allure of wealth, which the adversary attempts to tempt Jesus with; however, they are mistaken. The evil one approached Him with sensual enticement, yet the Lord remained undistracted, rejecting the offer. He displayed before Him all the kingdoms of the world in a vision from the mountain, saying, “All these things I will give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship Me.”"},{"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":"There is no need to mention the name of the mountain; it would serve no purpose. At the same time, after being outwitted in his second attempt, the adversary readies himself for the third, which is greed, reserved for the end as the most challenging. And he took Him up to an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him, for a brief moment, as Luke noted (Luke 4:5), the various regions of the universe where the kingdoms of the world resided, stating, \\"In this area is the kingdom of Rome, in that one is the kingdom of Persia, and over there is the kingdom of Assyria.\\" He also referenced other kingdoms, highlighting their distinct glory and significance; in essence, he revealed everything."},{"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":"Once more, the adversary brought Him to an exceedingly high mountain, traditionally believed to be the same Mount of Temptation in the wilderness of Judea. From this lofty height, one could survey the extensive landscape of the Jordan, stretching from the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee. There, the devil unveiled to Jesus Christ all the kingdoms of the world, along with their splendor, showcasing all the earth's most magnificent, wealthiest, and finest things. In an instant, the adversary made this vision appear, presenting it vividly to Christ's perception, as humanity is often more susceptible to temptation through visual allure than through mere words. The devil gazed upon the world with malicious delight, taking pleasure in the countless souls he had led into the depths of wickedness and idolatry, inflicting upon them immense sorrow and pain. He anticipated that even the few upright among the Jewish people would soon fall under his influence; certainly, he could seduce and lead them astray. However, Christ the Redeemer observed the world with profound sadness, mourning the transgressions of humankind. He reflected with compassion on the many broken-hearted souls yearning for solace from Him, along with those dwelling in darkness, awaiting His light. His heart burned with love for the fallen human race, eager to sacrifice Himself for their redemption. And perhaps, the thought that the dominion of the devil, usurped from God, was nearing its end—that soon the head of the serpent tempter would be crushed by the Cross—might have illuminated His divine countenance with a flicker of joy."},{"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":"\\"A very high mountain\\": its specific identity remains uncertain. It is likely a peak from which one can view a substantial portion of Palestine. The Abbot Mariti describes one such peak, noting that it offers a vantage point over the mountains of Arabia, the region of Gilead, the territory of Ammon, the valleys of Moab and Jericho, the course of the Jordan, and the entire area of the Dead Sea. This location is traditionally identified as the mountain of temptation. Similarly, before his passing, Moses ascended Mount Nebo (Nabab) to the height of Pisgah, where the Lord revealed to him the land stretching from Gilead to Dan, encompassing the regions of Naphtali, Ephraim, and Manasseh, as well as all of Judah, extending to the western sea, the southern territories, and the plains of the valley of Jericho, which is also known as the city of palms (Deuteronomy 34:1-3). Thus, it is clear that there were mountains that provided views over much of the land of Canaan or Palestine and its surrounding areas. \\"All the kingdoms of the world\\": we might assume that the tempter presented them to Christ through some mysterious, incomprehensible action, as suggested by the words of Luke: \\"in a moment of time\\" (Luke 4:5), \\"in a ghost\\" (Theophilus)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The third temptation, after facing two setbacks, the devil persisted in his efforts. He led Jesus to a high mountain and, in an instant, revealed to Him all the kingdoms of the world (Lk. 4:5). It should not be assumed that the devil took Jesus to the mountain without His consent. After returning from Jerusalem post the second temptation, Jesus ascended the mountain Himself, possibly in response to the devil’s new challenge. The Gospel writers do not specify which mountain was climbed by Jesus. If this occurred after the initial temptation, as indicated by Luke, it is likely that this mountain was in the same wilderness where Christ had fasted. Conversely, if the ascent happened following the temptation at the peak of the temple, as Matthew suggests, then it is possible that this mountain was outside the wilderness context. Regardless, Matthew describes this mountain as being very high. Nevertheless, the view from its peak allowed only for a mental picture of all the kingdoms of the world; thus, Luke notes that the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the universe in the blink of an eye."},{"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":"After succumbing to the temptation of physical frailty and spiritual arrogance, the adversary made one final, desperate effort to entice Jesus by presenting the allure of absolute authority over all the nations of the earth. The adversary elevated Jesus to a high mountain and unveiled a mesmerizing vision of all the kingdoms of the world in their splendor, proclaiming to Him, “All these things I will give you if you fall down and worship me.” The adversary understood that Christ, as the Redeemer of humanity, was approaching a harrowing phase of humiliation and anguish, a scene before which His human heart must have quaked uncontrollably. However, He could have chosen to escape this fate altogether and emerge as the mighty Messiah-king and sovereign of the entire world, aligned with the expectations of many within the Jewish community. Why should He not manifest in this final aspect—achieving all this, provided He acknowledged the tempter through worship?"}]}
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