Jesus tempted by Satan in the wilderness

[Mike Mclees]

My question is why? Did Satan not know who he was talking to? Was Jesus to be fooled by him? 

[Starise]

I would need to look over the details of that story again to be sure about this, but my hunch here is Satan was preying on what he hoped would be a physical weakness. Jesus having gone for so very long without food and weak physically would have been at one of the lowest places He had ever been physically. Satan knew he couldn't hope for any victory through other means but maybe he had a chance if he could catch Jesus at a low point where His decision making processes were not at 100%. 

Of course, if Satan had won, it would have been a double victory. First Adam and Eve, then Jesus and the penalty for sin would have still been on men's shoulders.

Thankfully Jesus did not let His physical weakness cloud His Spiritual strength. 

When Jesus was here in physical form He got tired and had the same kinds of ailments we have in these bodies, so I think Satan saw His physicality as a prime target and what better time to tempt than when a man hasn't eaten for 40 days?

[missmuffet]

1 hour ago, Mike Mclees said:

My question is why? Did Satan not know who he was talking to? Was Jesus to be fooled by him? 

Satan knew very well who he was talking to. Because of pride which Satan has he thought Jesus would be fooled by him. 

 

What was the meaning and purpose of Jesus’ temptations?

https://www.gotquestions.org

ANSWER

The three temptations by Satan in the wilderness were not the only temptations our Lord ever suffered on Earth. We read in Luke 4:2 that He was tempted by the devil for forty days, but He was undoubtedly tempted at other times (Luke 4:13; Matthew 16:21–23; Luke 22:42), and yet in all this He was without sin or compromise. Although some have suggested that the Lord’s period of fasting compares with that of both Moses (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), the main point is how the Lord deals with temptation in the light of His humanity.
 

 

It is because He is human, and made like us in every way, that He could do three vital things: 1) destroy the devil’s power and free those who were held in slavery by their fear of death (Hebrews 2:15); 2) become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God and atone for our sins (Hebrews 2:17); and 3) be the One who is able to sympathize with us in all our weaknesses and infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). Our Lord’s human nature enables Him to sympathize with our own weaknesses, because He was subjected to weakness, too. More importantly, we have a High Priest who is able to intercede on our behalf and provide the grace of forgiveness.

Temptation is never as great as when one has made a public declaration of faith as did our Lord when He was baptized in the Jordan (Matthew 3:13–17). However, we also note that, during this time of exhaustive testing, our Lord was also ministered to by angels, a mystery indeed that the omnipotent One should condescend to receive such help from lesser beings! Here is a beautiful description of the ministry that His people also benefit from. During times of testing and trial, we too are aided by angels who are ministering spirits sent to those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14).

Jesus’ temptations follow three patterns that are common to all men. The first temptation concerns the lust of the flesh (Matthew 4:3–4). Our Lord is hungry, and the devil tempts Him to convert stones into bread, but He replies with Scripture, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3. The second temptation concerns the pride of life (Matthew 4:5–7), and here the devil uses a verse of Scripture (Psalm 91:11–12), but the Lord replies again with Scripture to the contrary (Deuteronomy 6:16), stating that it is wrong for Him to abuse His own powers. The third temptation concerns the lust of the eyes (Matthew 4:8–10), and if any quick route to the Messiahship could be attained, bypassing the passion and crucifixion for which He had originally come, this was the way. The devil already had control over the kingdoms of the world (Ephesians 2:2) but was now ready to give everything to Christ in return for His allegiance. But the mere thought almost causes the Lord’s divine nature to shudder at such a concept and He replies sharply, “You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” (Deuteronomy 6:13).

 

There are many temptations that we sadly fall into because our flesh is naturally weak, but we have a God who will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear; He will provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). We can therefore be victorious and then will thank the Lord for deliverance from temptation. Jesus’ experience in the desert helps us to see these common temptations that keep us from serving God effectively. Furthermore, we learn from Jesus’ response to the temptations exactly how we are to respond—with Scripture. The forces of evil come to us with a myriad of temptations, but all have the same three things at their core: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. We can only recognize and combat these temptations by saturating our hearts and minds with the Truth. The armor of a Christian solider in the spiritual battle of life includes only one offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Knowing the Bible intimately will put the Sword in our hands and enable us to be victorious over temptations.

Edited July 5, 2022 by missmuffet

[other one]

2 hours ago, Mike Mclees said:

My question is why? Did Satan not know who he was talking to? Was Jesus to be fooled by him? 

We tend to think Satan knew everything going on, but I'm not so sure that he did.   I don't think he knew that some day born again humans would judge the angels, or he would not have made the human race capable of doing so.

Throughout history God has always been several steps ahead of Satan...   I don't think that would have been possible if he was very knowledgeable about what was happening on planet earth.

Did he know?    Did John know? Certainly the priests of the time didn't know what was happening.....    If Satan knew, would he have let the religious leaders have him crucified.

[Mike Mclees]

Did Jesus share His experience with anyone after He came back. ?

[other one]

3 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

Did Jesus share His experience with anyone after He came back. ?

How else would we have known about it if the writers of the New Testament wasn't told about it.  Matthew, Mark and Luke wrote about it so Jesus must have told someone.

[JohnD]

2 hours ago, Mike Mclees said:

My question is why? Did Satan not know who he was talking to? Was Jesus to be fooled by him? 

Jesus is both God and man. This hypostatic existence had to be proved. The same word for temptation is the same for trying / testing. Proving.

Hebrews 4:15 (AV)
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

IMHO it was also a test for Satan as to just how far he would go... willing to risk annihilation by so enraging the man Christ Jesus as to cause him to react in that anger and blow the messianic office Jesus had to fulfill in order to qualify as our kinsman redeemer. Some argue the point (which I am not interested in debating) I will only state as my opinion: Jesus had to live in this life as a man (even though in his Spirit he is Jehovah God Creator of all things created in the beginning) ← that part is clearly documents in scripture (John 1:3 / Colossians 1:16 / Isaiah 44:24 / John 1:14). That Jesus could not do anything any other human could do during his first advent without the Father's specific permission (as in the raising of Lazarus from the dead). ← I believe Jesus wept as a man overwhelmed by the fact that he had the go-ahead from the Father to raise Lazarus by his own (Jesus') power. But that's another point.

If correct, Satan was willing to be extinguished in order to thwart God's plan to redeem mankind.

That's hate.

Jesus of course passed the test with flying colors and only quoted scripture to Satan (which all people can do once they know the scriptures).

[JohnD]

7 minutes ago, Mike Mclees said:

Did Jesus share His experience with anyone after He came back. ?

The Bible is written through human prophets but by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Which the Bible puts paramount importance on our knowing FIRST. To keep us on track with HIS side of the story.

 

[Mike Mclees]

OK  Just want to say i am not trying to be a smart guy I'm just going with things that are coming to me.  I may learn things also. I will say that there is something driving me. I want to look at the third temptation.  I have another question and I am sure it will be answered quickly.  

The Jews knew by the writings of the profits that they would have a Messiah. What was the hope they had in His coming?  Who did they believe He would be?

[Alive]

2 hours ago, Starise said:

I would need to look over the details of that story again to be sure about this, but my hunch here is Satan was preying on what he hoped would be a physical weakness. Jesus having gone for so very long without food and weak physically would have been at one of the lowest places He had ever been physically. Satan knew he couldn't hope for any victory through other means but maybe he had a chance if he could catch Jesus at a low point where His decision making processes were not at 100%. 

Of course, if Satan had won, it would have been a double victory. First Adam and Eve, then Jesus and the penalty for sin would have still been on men's shoulders.

Thankfully Jesus did not let His physical weakness cloud His Spiritual strength. 

When Jesus was here in physical form He got tired and had the same kinds of ailments we have in these bodies, so I think Satan saw His physicality as a prime target and what better time to tempt than when a man hasn't eaten for 40 days?

 There is no possible way that Jesus could fail, not be crucified, raised and ascended. No possible way that God's Plan would be thwarted---to share being with man and have His family and restore the Universe.

He was the Lamb slain from before things were Created.