Matthew 4-6

Matthew 4

Temptation in the Wilderness 

Jesus “Led up by the Spirit into wilderness to be tempted by the devil”

• James 1:13 says spirit never tempts us, only evil tempts. 
• 40 days similar to Israel’s 40 years (Deut 8:2), Moses on the mountain (Exod 34:28), Elijah on the mountain (1 Kings 19:8)

First temptation: distrust God’s provision

• Jesus quotes Deut 8:3
  • Israel failed but Jesus succeeds
• Bread vs. Word 

Second temptation: testing God

• Satan quotes Psalm 91 (misapplied Scripture)
• Jesus quotes Deut 6:16
  • “You shall not test the LORD” ( Exod 17:1–7)

Third temptation: shortcut to kingship (bypassing the cross)

• Satan asks Jesus to worship him for the earthly kingdom 
• Jesus quotes Deut 6:13

Angels come to minister 

•   Elijah (1 Kgs 19:5–7)

 Isaiah 9:1–2 Fulfilled

• Jesus went to Galilee after John was put in prison
• “Galilee of the Gentiles” 
• Light in darkness – Jesus 

Jesus calls them to “repent” (μετανοεῖτε) 

• “Kingdom of heaven”:
  • Matthew phrase for “kingdom of God”

Jesus tells Simon Peter and Andrew to “follow me” 

• Immediate response is to follow 
• “Fishers of men” (Jer 16:16)

Jesus heals, teaches, and preaches in Galilee. A great multitude follow Him. 

Matthew 5

Beatitudes 

• “Blessed” (μακάριοι)
• Parallels:
  • Psalm 1 (“blessed man”)
  • Isaiah 61 (restoration)

Key categories: ( present suffering leads to future reward)

• Poor in spirit:  kingdom of heaven
• Mourn: be comforted
• Meek:  inherit land 
• Hunger for righteousness: satisfied
• Merciful: receive mercy
• Pure of heart: see God
• Peacemakers: called sons of God
• Persecution: kingdom of heaven/ rejoice be glad

Salt and Light

• Salt of the earth: preservation  (Lev 2:13)
• Light of the world:  Israel’s vocation (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6)

Fulfillment of the Law

“Fulfill” (πληρόω)

• Not abolish but bring to intended goal
• Jesus as telos (end) (Rom 10:4)

“Jot and tittle”

• Smallest Hebrew marks:
  • י (yod)
  • serif distinctions

Whoever breaks commandments and teaches men to do so will be “least” in kingdom of Heaven. 

“You have heard… but I say”

Anger

• Murder begins in heart
• Do not insult each other

Reconciliation

• Reconcile over religious duty

 Lust

• Basically internalization of adultery
• amputation imagery shows seriousness of sin

Divorce

• Reference: Deut 24:1–4
• Protects covenant 

 Oaths

• Be truthful without manipulation

Retaliation

• Eye for eye (Exod 21:24) shows limited justice
• Jesus shows to remove personal vengeance

Love of Enemies

• Goes beyond Lev 19:18
• Reflects character: Common grace (sun/rain)

 Be “perfect” (τέλειος): complete, mature

Matthew 6

Be careful when “practicing righteousness” 

• Issue: audience (God vs. people)
• What is your heart posture? For God or men? 

Do not be “hypocrites” 

• Secret giving means God as rewarder

Lord’s Prayer Structure

• God-centered: 
  • Name (holiness)
  • Kingdom (reign)
  • Will (alignment with heaven)
• Human needs:
  • Daily bread 
  • Forgiveness 
  • Deliverance 

Do not utilize performative suffering

• Secret fasting means God as rewarder
• From:https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-6/ Fasting is something good that was corrupted by the hypocrisy of the religious people of Jesus’ day. Our corrupt natures can corrupt something good into something bad. A modern example of a good thing gone bad is the manner of dressing nice on Sunday. There is nothing wrong with this in itself – it can even be good as an expression of reverence; yet if it is used to compete with others or to draw attention to one’s self, something good has become something bad.

Do not lay up treasures on earth, but instead in heaven

• “Eye” as lamp or moral perception
• No one can serve two masters (God vs. Mammon)
  • Mammon comes from Aramaic: מָמוֹנָא (māmōnāʾ)
  • Root idea: that in which one trusts

“Do not be anxious” (μεριμνάω)

• Do not have a divided mind / distraction
• God provides for the birds and the lilies

Seek first the kingdom of God

Application

Trust God in all things and put Him first. When we stop performing and start caring, God will reward us. Don’t serve earthly masters (man, wealth, fame) but instead do everything for the kingdom of God.