Matthew 4:4

Commentary on Matthew 4:4

Matthew 4:4

New King James Version

4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

Biblical Context: The Temptation Narrative (Matthew 4:1–11)

Immediately following His baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the Judean wilderness to face Satan’s temptations.
Over forty days of fasting, Christ experiences genuine hunger. In each temptation, He counters the tempter by quoting Scripture.
Matthew 4:4 marks the first of these divine rebuttals, anchoring Jesus’ identity and mission in God’s revealed Word.

Exegesis of Matthew 4:4

“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

1. “It is written”
   • Jesus appeals to the authority of Scripture (Deuteronomy 8:3), modelling sola Scriptura—the conviction that God’s Word is our ultimate rule in doctrine and life.
   • By averring (verb state or assert to be the case) what is written, He implicitly affirms the sufficiency and trustworthiness of the Old Testament canon.
2. “Man shall not live by bread alone”
   • Physical bread represents all necessary sustenance. Jesus does not deny its importance but warns against making it our ultimate reliance.
   • This echoes Israel’s wilderness experience, where reliance on manna taught dependence on God’s provision.
3. “But by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”
   • “Every word” broadens the scope from a single text to the totality of divine revelation.
   • The phrase conveys nourishment, guidance and life flowing from God’s mouth—His covenant promises, commands and promises of mercy.

Theological Insights

• Christ’s Perfect Obedience
  Jesus, in His sinless humanity, refutes temptation by clinging to God’s Word rather than yielding to self-interest. His reliance on Scripture underscores both His identity as the obedient Son and our call to imitate Him.
• Sola Scriptura in Action
  The Zebedee pattern—three temptations, three scriptural answers—illustrates the conviction that Scripture suffices for faith and practice. Every trial is met most decisively by God’s self-revelation.
• Spiritual versus Material
  Christian theology consistently warns against the idolatry of created goods. Matthew 4:4 teaches that ultimate life, flourishing, and hope derive from communion with God, mediated by His Word, rather than from material comforts.

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Application for Modern Christian Living

• Daily Dependence on Scripture
  Establish regular Bible reading and meditation so God’s Word becomes the first resource in times of crisis, not a last resort.
• Scripture Memorisation
  Hide “every word” in the heart (Psalm 119:11) so that, like Christ, you can counter lies and temptations swiftly and effectively.
• Worship and Obedience
  Let God’s Word shape your priorities. Evaluate career, relationships and leisure by asking: “Does this honour God’s revealed will?”
• Community and Catechesis
  Engage in small-group Bible studies informed by catechisms (for example, the Westminster Shorter Catechism) to deepen understanding of “every word” in the assembly of God’s people.

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Teaching from Matthew 4:4

“True life is sustained not merely by physical provisions but by continual nourishment through every word God has spoken.”

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