March through Matthew in a Month

Matthew 4



During the season of Lent in March 2026 we are reading through the Gospel of Matthew as we follow Jesus from Bethlehem to Nazareth to Galilee to Jerusalem to Calvary to an empty tomb and by grace through faith in Christ to heaven.

Basic Background Info on the Gospel of Matthew:

1. Matthew 4 is action packed with the temptation of Jesus(4:1-11), the beginning of Jesus’ public Ministry (4:12-16; 23-25) and Jesus calling His first disciples (4:18-22).

2. After Jesus was baptized (in Mt.3), Matthew 4 begins by saying God’s Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. Jesus fasts 40 days and 40 nights. This corresponds to Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness. Israel was also tested by God and often failed and embraced false gods, but Jesus is our Champion Who won the ultimate victory over temptation, sin, and Satan for us! 

3. This is an obvious point, but a very important one to make: The devil truly exists! The temptation and words of Jesus verify this fact. The devil also knows the Word of God better than us, but misuses God’s Word for evil purposes.

4. Matthew 4 records 3 different names used for the devil. He is the diabolos (diabolical liar and deceiver) in 4:1,5,8,11; he is “the tempter” in 4:3; and in Mt. 4:10 Jesus addresses him as satana (the “Adversary”).

5. It is scary--Satan knows Scripture (better than we do!), but the devil misuses God’s Word to tempt us and twist and oppose God’s Truth.

6. The devil tempts Jesus 3 times mis-using and mis-applying God’s Word. It is interesting that each time Jesus responds quoting a passage from Deuteronomy (after temptation #1-Dt. 8:3, #2-Dt. 6:16, #3-Dt. 6:13) using God’s Word properly and perfectly to defeat the devil’s deception.

7. What did the devil say to Adam and Eve in Genesis that shows how the evil deceiver tempted Jesus and continues to tempt us to question, doubt, misuse, or misapply God’s Word? The devil said: “…did God actually say?” (see Genesis 3:1). 

Ponder: What is an example in our lives or society today of how the devil attempts to deceive us from God’s Truth?

APPLICATION: Studying God’s Word frequently through personal devotions and Bible study is SO important for us! God’s Word is the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17) that strengthens our faith and helps us resist sin and tempation as followers of Jesus.

8. Hebrews 4 provides us with the wonderful assurance that Jesus understands the many struggles we face on earth and helps us. Hebrews 4 says: 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

9. Matthew 4:17 marks a significant turning point in the Gospel. It records the first PUBLIC words of Jesus as He begins His Ministry. The message of Jesus is similar to that of John the Baptist. We are to REPENT. God’s Kingdom has arrived in Jesus and transforms our reality. 

10. Matthew records many miracles and teachings of Jesus to magnify that Jesus is the promised Messiah and the One Who fulfills ALL of God’s past promises and prophecies to save us from sin, death, and Satan.

We now read Matthew 4…    

Matthew 4 (ESV)

The Temptation of Jesus

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and 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,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,

    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

    the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

16 the people dwelling in darkness

    have seen a great light,

and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting 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 Immediately they 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 the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

> We apply God’s Word to our lives…

+ PONDER this PERSONAL question:

How do Jesus and God’s Word help me face the struggles of life?

+Prayer+ Dear Jesus, thank You for making me Your forgiven and chosen child through Baptism and for calling me to follow you. Help me when I face temptation, strengthen me when I face struggles, and give me firm and growing faith to follow you daily as Your disciple. In the saving Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Pastor Scott Schmieding

Senior Pastor

Immanuel Lutheran Church and School

115 S. Sixth Street

Saint Charles, MO 63301

636.946.2656