Matthew – Chapter 4

New Testament25 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 4 of Matthew begins: "Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil." The chapter centers on John, Andrew and Isaiah. Across its 25 verses, two threads run through the text: healing and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.

2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he was hungry.

3And the tempter coming said to him: If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God.

5Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him upon the pinnacle of the temple,

6And said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written: That he hath given his angels charge over thee, and in their hands shall they bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,

9And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me.

10Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.

11Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him.

12And when Jesus had heard that John was delivered up, he retired into Galilee:

13And leaving the city Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capharnaum on the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and of Nephthalim;

14That it might be fulfilled which was said by Isaias the prophet:

15Land of Zabulon and land of Nephthalim, the way of the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:

16The people that sat in darkness, hath seen great light: and to them that sat in the region of the shadow of death, light is sprung up.

17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: Do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

18And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers).

19And he saith to them: Come ye after me, and I will make you to be fishers of men.

20And they immediately leaving their nets, followed him.

21And 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.

22And they forthwith left their nets and father, and followed him.

23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom: and healing all manner of sickness and every infirmity, among the people.

24And his fame went throughout all Syria, and they presented to him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and such as were possessed by devils, and lunatics, and those that had the palsy, and he cured them:

25And much people followed him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Important Verses in Matthew 4

Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:1

Jesus said to him: It is written again: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Matthew 4:7

Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.

Matthew 4:10

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say: Do penance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 4:17

Historical Context

Matthew addresses jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 4 of 28 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 25 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. John, Andrew, Isaiah and James appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil." It concludes: "And much people followed him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the…" In terms of historical background, Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil." The passage repeatedly touches on healing and restoration.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1032).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Matthew 4 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Christ is the Divine Physician who heals both body and soul.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

John2 mentionsAndrew1 mentionIsaiah1 mentionJames1 mentionPeter1 mentionSimon1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Matthew Chapter 4 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing justice, charity, and the common good.

Let Matthew Chapter 4 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 4 about?

Matthew 4 contains 25 verses. It opens with "Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil." and closes with "And much people followed him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the…". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Then Jesus was led by the spirit into the desert, to be tempted by the devil." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Matthew Chapter 4?

This chapter mentions John, Andrew, Isaiah, James, Peter, among others.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

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