Matthew 4
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Satan Tempts The Son of God To Act Contrary To His Father’s Will
4 Then Jesus was led-up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. 2 And having fasted for forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 And having come to Him, the one tempting said to Him, “If You are[a] God’s Son, say that these stones should become loaves-of-bread”. 4 But the One, having responded, said, “It has been written [in Deut 8:3]: ‘Mankind[b] shall live not on bread alone, but on every word proceeding-out through the mouth of God’” 5 Then the devil takes Him into the holy city. And he stood Him on the pinnacle of the temple. 6 And he says to Him, “If You are God’s Son, throw Yourself down. For it has been written: ‘Because[c] He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up on their hands that You may not ever strike Your foot against a stone’” [Ps 91:11-12]. 7 Jesus said to him, “Again[d], it has been written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’” [Deut 6:16]. 8 Again, the devil takes Him to a very high mountain and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “I will give all these things to You if, having fallen-down, You give-worship to me”. 10 Then Jesus says to him, “Go-away, Satan! For it has been written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’” [Deut 6:13]. 11 Then the devil leaves Him. And behold— angels came to Him and were ministering to Him.
Jesus Begins His Ministry In Capernaum of Galilee, Fulfilling Isaiah
12 And having heard that John was handed-over[e] [to prison], He went-back[f] into Galilee. 13 And having left-behind Nazareth, having come, He dwelled in Capernaum, the one by-the-sea in the districts of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 in order that the thing might be fulfilled having been spoken through Isaiah the prophet saying 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people sitting in darkness saw a great Light. And for the ones sitting in the region and shadow of death, a Light rose for them” [Isa 9:1-2]. 17 From that time on Jesus began to proclaim and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn-near”.
Jesus Calls Peter And Andrew And Then James And John To Follow Him
18 And while walking beside the Sea of Galilee He saw two brothers— Simon (the one being called Peter) and Andrew, his brother— throwing a casting-net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And He says to them, “Come after Me and I will make you fishermen of people”. 20 And immediately the ones, having left the nets, followed Him. 21 And having gone on from there He saw two other brothers— James (the son of Zebedee) and John, his brother— preparing[g] their nets in the boat with Zebedee their father. And He called them. 22 And immediately the ones, having left the boat and their father, followed Him.
Jesus Goes Around All Galilee Teaching And Healing Every Disease
23 And He was going around in all Galilee— teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good-news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every infirmity among the people. 24 And the report[h] of Him went into all Syria[i]. And they brought to Him all the ones being ill, being gripped[j] with various diseases and torments, and being demon-possessed, and having seizures[k], and paralytics. And He cured them.
The Teachings of The King: True Righteousness Expounded With Divine Authority
25 And large crowds from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and beyond the Jordan followed Him.
Footnotes
- Matthew 4:3 That is, Assuming You are, as God said in 3:17.
- Matthew 4:4 Or, Man, The person, The human, Humankind.
- Matthew 4:6 This is part of the quote from Ps 91. Or, written that, ‘He will.
- Matthew 4:7 That is, For the second time I say; or, On the other hand.
- Matthew 4:12 That is, by Herod Antipas, Mt 14:3.
- Matthew 4:12 Or, withdrew.
- Matthew 4:21 Or, putting in order, restoring.
- Matthew 4:24 Or, news.
- Matthew 4:24 That is, the Roman province that included all the regions mentioned in v 25.
- Matthew 4:24 Or, held by, ruled by, oppressed with.
- Matthew 4:24 Or, being a lunatic (out of control of oneself).
Matthew 4
International Children’s Bible
The Temptation of Jesus
4 Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 Jesus ate nothing for 40 days and nights. After this, he was very hungry. 3 The devil came to Jesus to tempt him. The devil said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘A person does not live only by eating bread. But a person lives by everything the Lord says.’”[a]
5 Then the devil led Jesus to the holy city of Jerusalem. He put Jesus on a very high place of the Temple. 6 The devil said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off. It is written in the Scriptures,
‘He has put his angels in charge of you.
They will catch you with their hands.
And you will not hit your foot on a rock.’” Psalm 91:11-12
7 Jesus answered him, “It also says in the Scriptures, ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’”[b]
8 Then the devil led Jesus to the top of a very high mountain. He showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and all the great things that are in those kingdoms. 9 The devil said, “If you will bow down and worship me, I will give you all these things.”
10 Jesus said to the devil, “Go away from me, Satan! It is written in the Scriptures, ‘You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only him!’”[c]
11 So the devil left Jesus. And then some angels came to Jesus and helped him.
Jesus Begins Work in Galilee
12 Jesus heard that John had been put in prison. So Jesus went back to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and went and lived in Capernaum, a town near Lake Galilee. Capernaum is in the area near Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 Jesus did this to make true what the prophet Isaiah said:
15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali
are on the way to the sea.
They are along the Jordan River.
This is Galilee where the non-Jewish people live.
16 These people who live in darkness
will see a great light.
They live in a place that is very dark.
But a light will shine on them.” Isaiah 9:1-2
Jesus Chooses Some Followers
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom of heaven is coming soon.”
18 Jesus was walking by Lake Galilee. He saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Simon’s brother Andrew. The brothers were fishermen, and they were fishing in the lake with a net. 19 Jesus said, “Come follow me. I will make you fishermen for men.” 20 At once Simon and Andrew left their nets and followed him.
21 Jesus continued walking by Lake Galilee. He saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets to catch fish. Jesus told them to come with him. 22 At once they left the boat and their father, and they followed Jesus.
Jesus Teaches and Heals People
23 Jesus went everywhere in Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and preached the Good News about the kingdom of heaven. And he healed all the people’s diseases and sicknesses. 24 The news about Jesus spread all over Syria, and people brought all the sick to him. These sick people were suffering from different kinds of diseases and pain. Some were suffering very great pain, some had demons, some were epileptics,[d] and some were paralyzed. Jesus healed all of them. 25 Many people followed him. They came from Galilee, the Ten Towns,[e] Jerusalem, Judea, and the land across the Jordan River.
Footnotes
- 4:4 ‘A person . . . says.’ Quotation from Deuteronomy 8:3.
- 4:7 ‘Do . . . God.’ Quotation from Deuteronomy 6:16.
- 4:10 ‘You . . . him!’ Quotation from Deuteronomy 6:13.
- 4:24 epileptics People with a disease that causes them sometimes to lose control of their bodies, and maybe faint, shake strongly, or not be able to move.
- 4:25 Ten Towns In Greek, called “Decapolis.” It was an area east of Lake Galilee that once had ten main towns.
Matthew 4
King James Version
4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
Matthew 4
New King James Version
Satan Tempts Jesus(A)
4 Then (B)Jesus was led up by (C)the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, (D)‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took Him up (E)into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
(F)‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’
and,
(G)‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, (H)‘You shall not [a]tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and (I)showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, [b]“Away with you, Satan! For it is written, (J)‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
11 Then the devil (K)left Him, and behold, (L)angels came and ministered to Him.
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry(M)
12 (N)Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
15 “The(O) land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles:
16 (P)The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.”
17 (Q)From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, (R)“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven [c]is at hand.”
Four Fishermen Called as Disciples(S)
18 (T)And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon (U)called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and (V)I will make you fishers of men.” 20 (W)They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
21 (X)Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
Jesus Heals a Great Multitude(Y)
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, (Z)teaching in their synagogues, preaching (AA)the gospel of the kingdom, (AB)and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then [d]His fame went throughout all Syria; and they (AC)brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25 (AD)Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from [e]Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.
Footnotes
- Matthew 4:7 test
- Matthew 4:10 M Get behind Me
- Matthew 4:17 has drawn near
- Matthew 4:24 Lit. the report of Him
- Matthew 4:25 Lit. Ten Cities
Matthew 4
Modern English Version
The Temptation of Jesus(A)
4 Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. 2 And He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, and then He was hungry. 3 And the tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be turned into bread.”
4 But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’[a]”
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, and set Him on the highest point of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written,
‘He shall give His angels charge concerning you,’[b]
and
‘In their hands they shall lift you up,
lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is also written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur, 9 and said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me. ”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Get away from here, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.’[e] ”
11 Then the devil left Him, and immediately angels came and ministered to Him.
The Beginning of the Galilean Ministry(B)
12 Now when Jesus heard that John was put in prison, He left for Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles:
16 The people who sat in darkness
saw great light.
And on those who sat in the land of the shadow of death,
light has dawned.”[f]
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The Calling of the First Disciples(C)
18 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, throwing a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
21 And going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. 22 They immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him.
Ministering to Great Crowds(D)
23 Jesus went throughout all Galilee teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all sorts of diseases among the people. 24 His fame went throughout all Syria. And they brought to Him all sick people who were taken with various diseases and tormented with pain, those who were possessed with demons, those who had seizures, and those who had paralysis, and He healed them. 25 Great crowds followed Him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.

