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Jesus Is Tempted by the Devil

Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. The Spirit led Jesus into the desert where the devil tempted Jesus for forty days. Jesus ate nothing during that time, and when those days were ended, he was very hungry.

The devil said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, tell this rock to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written in the Scriptures: ‘A person does not live on bread alone.’”[a]

Then the devil took Jesus and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant. The devil said to Jesus, “I will give you all these kingdoms and all their power and glory. It has all been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. If you worship me, then it will all be yours.”

Jesus answered, “It is written in the Scriptures: ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”[b]

Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem and put him on a high place of the Temple. He said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, jump down. 10 It is written in the Scriptures:

‘He has put his angels in charge of you
    to watch over you.’ Psalm 91:11

11 It is also written:

‘They will catch you in their hands
    so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.’” Psalm 91:12

12 Jesus answered, “But it also says in the Scriptures: ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’”[c]

13 After the devil had tempted Jesus in every way, he left him to wait until a better time.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:4 ‘A person . . . alone.’ Quotation from Deuteronomy 8:3.
  2. 4:8 ‘You . . . him.’ Quotation from Deuteronomy 6:13.
  3. 4:12 ‘Do . . . God.’ Quotation from Deuteronomy 6:16.

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