Jesus Is Tempted in the Wilderness

After Jesus returned from the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit led him into the wilderness. Mark says the Spirit drove him out there immediately. Jesus was there for forty days. He ate nothing during those days, and afterward he was hungry. Mark also says he was with the wild animals.

In the wilderness, the devil tempted him. The tempter told Jesus to turn stone into bread. Jesus answered from Scripture that people do not live by bread alone, but by every word from God. Though he was hungry, Jesus did not turn away from God’s word.

The devil also showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and said he would give them to Jesus if Jesus would worship him. Jesus refused. He answered from Scripture again that only the Lord God is to be worshipped and served.

The devil also set Jesus on the high point of the temple in Jerusalem and urged him to throw himself down, even quoting Scripture about angels guarding him. But Jesus answered that the Lord God must not be tested.

When the devil had finished every temptation, Luke says he departed until another time. Matthew says the devil left Jesus, and angels came and served him. Mark says angels were serving him in the wilderness. After John was taken into custody, Jesus went into Galilee, preaching the good news of God’s kingdom and calling people to repent and believe the good news.