ACC ~ Luke 4 v1 - 13

OVERVIEW:

Satan waits until Jesus is thirty to tempt him because it is only then that Jesus shows himself to be the Messiah at his baptism (EPHREM THE SYRIAN). The introduction deals with Jesus and his movements as he is led by the Spirit into the wilderness for fasting (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). There is an Adam typology [1] and a Genesis background to this story as Adam is cast out of Paradise into the desert, whereas Christ the new Adam goes into the desert on our behalf to come forth from that wilderness of temptation to lead us back to Paradise (AMBROSE).

The first temptation tempts Jesus to the sin of gluttony that cursed the first Adam (ORIGEN). Adam fell by eating food that was not his to eat; Jesus conquers by not eating food that Satan tempts him with at a moment of great hunger after forty days of fasting (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA). Jesus the Son of God incarnate, the Word of God, is the bread of life from heaven [2] who shall feed the people bread—himself—and he defeats Satan with this heavenly bread, the Word of God (AMBROSE).

In the second temptation, the kingdoms Satan shows Jesus in a moment of time are not kingdoms like Rome or Persia but his, Satan’s, rule in the world (ORIGEN). The devil has taken this world by fraud, but now that Christ has come, he will restore this world back to its proper authority through his obedient suffering and death (CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA).

In the final temptation Satan changes his tactics, but Jesus remains true to his person and unchanging nature (EPHREM THE SYRIAN). Adam was enticed by food, but here Israel repeats the sin of Eve, who longed to worship another besides the Lord (AMBROSE). The psalm addresses any just person who is given the power in Christ to tread upon the snakes and scorpions as the Lord promised to the seventy[-two] [3] (ORIGEN). Though the temple may be destroyed, the pinnacle of the temple—Jesus—endures forever (PRUDENTIUS). Although Jesus will continue to confront Satan through his ministry, the devil becomes a roaring lion again at the crucifixion (AUGUSTINE). The temptation of Jesus by the devil foreshadows the conflict of the passion and Jesus’ victory on the cross.

[1] Rom 5:12-21.

[2] Jn 6:32, 35.

[3] Lk 10:19.

4:1-2 | Led by the Spirit into the Wilderness for Forty Days

WHY SATAN WAITS TO TEMPT JESUS

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: Why didn’t Satan tempt him before his thirtieth year? He tempted Jesus because a definite sign of Christ’s divinity had not yet been given from heaven. He appeared modest like others, and he had not received any obvious homage in the presence of his people. Satan refrained from tempting him until the beginning of this event. When he heard, “Now, behold the Lamb of God is coming,” and “This is he who takes away the sins of the world,” [1] Satan was astonished. Yet he waited until Jesus was baptized to see if he would be baptized as if he needed to be baptized.

Then he saw the splendor of the light that appeared on the water, the voice that came from heaven. Then Satan knew that he who fulfills every need had gone down into the water and that he had not come to baptism as if he needed to be baptized. Satan reflected and said to himself, “As long as I have not tested him by combat through temptation I will not be able to identify him.” But it was not fitting that the Benefactor should resist the will of him who had come to tempt him. For, not knowing how to tempt him, Satan did not dare approach him. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 4.4-5. [2]

[1] Jn 1:29.

[2] ECTD 85-86**.

LED BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS FOR FASTING

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: “He was led, therefore,” it says, “in the Spirit in the wilderness forty days, being tempted of the devil.” What is the meaning of the word led? It signifies not so much that he was led there as that he dwelt and continued there. …

He dwelt therefore in the wilderness in the Spirit, that is, spiritually. He fasted, granting no food whatsoever to the necessities of the body. I imagine someone may immediately object to this: And what harm, then, did it do Jesus to dwell in cities constantly? And in what way could it benefit him to choose to inhabit the wilderness? He did not lack one good thing. And why, too, did he fast also? Why was it necessary for him to labor? He does not know what it means to have a depraved desire. For we adopt the practice of fasting as a very useful expedient, by which we kill pleasure and attack the law of sin that is in our bodies [1] and completely destroy those emotions which lead on to fleshly lust. But why did Christ need to fast? The Father slays the sin in the flesh by his body. He kills the motions of the flesh in us. He has abolished sin in miserable beings—in us. What kind of fasting could he need in anything that concerns himself? He is holy, undefiled by nature, wholly pure and without blemish. He cannot experience even the shadow of a change. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 12. [2]

[1] 1 Cor 9:27.

[2] CGSL 85-88**.

ADAM GOES FROM PARADISE TO THE DESERT; CHRIST FROM THE DESERT TO PARADISE

AMBROSE: It is fitting that it be recorded that the first Adam was cast out of Paradise into the desert, [1] that you may observe how the second Adam returned from the desert to Paradise. … Adam brought death through the tree. Christ brought life through the cross. Adam, naked of spiritual things, covered himself with the foliage of a tree. [2] Christ, naked of worldly things, did not desire the trappings of the body. Adam lived in the desert. Christ lived in the desert, for he knew where he could find the lost. With their error canceled, he could recall them to Paradise. …

So Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, is led into the desert for a purpose, in order to challenge the devil. If he had not fought, he would not have conquered him for me. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 4.7, 14. [3]

[1] Gen 3:23-24; 1 Cor 15:45.

[2] Gen 3:7.

[3] EHG 115-16, 119**; CSEL 32 4:142-43, 146.

4:3-4 | The First Temptation: Stones into Bread

GLUTTONY CAPTURED THE FIRST ADAM

ORIGEN: Mark and Luke say that Jesus “was tempted for forty days.” It is clear that during those days the devil first tempted him from a distance to sleep, apathy, cowardice, and other such sins. Then, since he knew that Christ was hungry, the devil came closer to him and attacked him openly. Notice what he does. He had heard, both from John and from the voice that came from above, that “this man is a son of God.” [1] He did not know that “the Son of God” had become man, for God concealed the inexpressible incarnation from him. So he assumed that Christ was a man who was pleasing to God because of his virtues. He was also jealous of him because of this honor just as he had been jealous of the old Adam. He was eager to cast this man down, just as he had cast Adam down. So he approaches Jesus and introduces the first temptation, that of gluttony, through which he had also captured the first Adam. Since there was no food anywhere, because the whole region was a desert, he knew that bread would satisfy Christ’s hunger. He himself does not produce bread, because Christ was not going to take it from the enemy. But he commands him to make bread from the stones that he points to. Look at Satan’s wiles and great wickedness—he tried to keep Christ from knowing his plot. He did not simply say, “Turn the stones into loaves of bread,” but he prefixed it with, “If you are a son of God.” He did this to show that he wanted this act done to prove that Christ is a son of God. For he was thinking that Christ would be provoked by his words and offended by the suggestion that he was not a “son of God.” He thought that Christ would not recognize the deception and, as a man who has power from God, turn the stones into bread. Then, when he saw the bread, he would yield to his stomach, since he was very hungry. But the devil did not escape the notice of him who “catches the wise in their craftiness.” [2] Christ answered him and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,’” and the rest, because he knew the devil’s villainy. He did not perform the sign that the devil sought, because he worked his signs to help those who saw them. FRAGMENTS ON LUKE 96. [3]

[1] See Jn 1:34.

[2] 1 Cor 3:19.

[3] FC 94:165-67.

JESUS SAYS NEITHER “I CAN” NOR “I CANNOT

” CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Satan said, “If you are the Son of God, bid this stone become bread.” He approaches him, therefore, as an ordinary man and as one of the saints, yet he had a suspicion that possibly he might be the Christ. How, then, did he hope to learn if this was the case? He reasoned that to change the nature of any thing into that which it was not would be the act and deed of a divine power. For it is God who makes these things and transforms them. “If he does this,” said the devil, “certainly it is he who is expected to subvert my power. But if he refuses to work this change, I am dealing with a man. I will set aside my fear. I am delivered from danger.” Therefore it was that Christ, knowing the monster’s plan, neither made the change nor said that he was either unable or unwilling to make it. Rather, the Lord shakes him off as annoying and meddlesome, saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone.” He means this: If God grants a man the ability, he can survive without eating and live as Moses and Elijah, who by the Word of the Lord passed forty days without taking food. If, therefore, it is possible to live without bread, why should I make the stone bread? He purposely does not say, “I cannot,” that he may not deny his own power. Nor does he say, “I can,” lest the devil, knowing that he is God, for whom alone such things are possible, should depart from him. Observe, I beg you, how the nature of man in Christ casts off the faults of Adam’s gluttony. By eating we were conquered in Adam, by abstinence we conquered in Christ. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 12. [1]

[1] CGSL 88**.

JESUS DEFEATS SATAN WITH THE WORD OF GOD

AMBROSE: So, look at the arms of Christ with which he conquered for you, not for himself. For he who showed that stones could, through his majesty, be changed into bread by the transformation into a different nature, teaches that you must do nothing at the devil’s behalf nor for the purpose of manifesting virtue. At the same time, learn from the temptation itself the ingenious cunning of the devil. The devil tempts that he may test. He tests that he may tempt. In contrast, the Lord deceives that he may conquer. He conquers that he may deceive. For if he had changed nature, he would have betrayed its Creator. Thus he responded neutrally, saying, “It is written, ‘That man lives not by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” You see what kind of arms he wields, to defend humanity, surrounded and protected against the inducements of appetite, against the assault of spiritual wickedness. [1] For he does not wield power as God—for what good would that be to me? So, as man, he summons common help for himself, so that eager for the food of the divine Word, he neglects the body’s hunger and obtains the nourishment of the heavenly Word. Eager for this, Moses did not desire bread. [2] Eager for this, Elijah did not feel the hunger of a long fast. [3] For he who follows the Word cannot desire earthly bread when he receives the essence of the heavenly Bread. [4] There is no doubt that the divine surpasses the human, as the spiritual the physical. Therefore he who desires true life awaits that Bread which through its intangible substance strengthens human hearts. [5] At the same time, when he says, “Man lives not by bread alone,” he shows that the man is tempted, that is, his acceptance of our flesh, not his divinity. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 4.19-20. [6]

[1] See Eph 6:12.

[2] Ex 24:18.

[3] 1 Kings 19:4.

[4] Jn 6:32, 50.

[5] Ps 103:17.

[6] EHG 121-22**; CSEL 32 4:148-49.

4:5-8 | The Second Temptation: Kingdoms of the Earth

SATAN SHOWED HOW HE RULED THE WORLD

ORIGEN: We should not think that when the devil showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world, he showed him, for example, the kingdom of the Persians and of the Indians. “He showed him all the kingdoms of the world,” that is, his own kingdom, how he reigned in the world. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 30.1. [1]

[1] FC 94:123*.

JESUS RESTORES KINGDOMS SEIZED BY FRAUD

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Did you think to have him as your worshiper at whom all things tremble, while the seraphim and all the angelic powers sing hymns to his glory? It is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” [1] It is fitting that he made mention of this commandment, striking as it were at his very heart. Before his advent, Satan had deceived all under heaven and was himself worshiped everywhere. But the law of God, ejecting him from the dominion he had usurped by fraud, has commanded people to worship him only who by nature and in truth is God and to offer service to him alone. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 12. [2]

[1] Deut 6:13.

[2] CGSL 89**.

4:9-12 | The Third Temptation: Pinnacle of the Temple

SATAN USES SCRIPTURE SELECTIVELY BY CONVENIENCE

EPHREM THE SYRIAN: [Satan] set [Jesus] up on the pinnacle of the temple. Satan wanted him to suppose that he who was a man could become God, by means of the godly house, just as Satan had once made Adam suppose that he could become God by means of that tree. [1] He brought him up to the mountain, [2] as though he were in need. “To you will I give the kingdoms, if you will adore me.” [3] When he changed his mode of cunning, he did not change the true One with it. In the beginning God made him, and, when complete, he was in need and a worshiper. [4] But Satan became blind in the arrogance of his worship, because of all that he had acquired, and for this reason he was punished even more. Because Satan did not recognize the One who knew him intimately, our Lord addressed him by his name, Satan. [5] But he did not know how he should address our Lord.

Therefore he said to him, “Fall down from here, for it is written, ‘They will guard you lest you stumble.’” Tempter, if it is concerning him that the psalm is fulfilled, is it not also written there, “With his wings, that he may deliver you”? [6] It is not possible for a bird to fall, for the air beneath its wings is like the earth. Is it not also written, “You will tread on the serpent and the lion”? [7] Satan studied only those passages from Scriptures that were convenient to him and omitted those which were harmful to him. The heretics are like this too. They appropriate from Scripture those passages that suit their erroneous teaching and omit those that refute their errors, thereby demonstrating that they are disciples of this master. COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 4.8B-C. [8]

[1] Gen 3:5.

[2] Mt 4:8.

[3] Mt 4:9.

[4] Heb 1:6.

[5] Mt 4:10.

[6] Ps 91:12.

[7] Ps 91:13.

[8] ECTD 87-88**.

EVE ENTICED BY THE DESIRE TO WORSHIP ANOTHER

AMBROSE: You see, ancient errors are undone in Christ’s footprints, and the snares, first of the stomach, second of sexual sin, and third of ambition, are loosed. For Adam was enticed by food. Because he willingly transgressed in the matter of the forbidden tree, he also was charged with heedless ambition, for he desired to be like the Godhead. [1] Therefore the Lord first remitted the debt of the ancient wrong, in order that, having shaken off the yoke of captivity, we may learn to overcome our faults with the help of the Scriptures. … The devil shakes the whole world with cunning deceit, in order to corrupt people, and fights with all the enticements of this age. You must beware of his flattery all the more. Food had not persuaded Eve, nor had the forgetfulness of the commands deprived her. If she had been willing to worship the Lord alone, she would not have sought what was not due to her. So a remedy is given, which blunts the dart of ambition, so that we serve the Lord alone. Pious devotion lacks ambition. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 4.33-34. [2]

[1] Gen 3:5.

[2] EHG 126-27**; CSEL 32 4:155-56.

JESUS DID NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANGELS

ORIGEN: Therefore let us see what the devil says to the Lord from the Scriptures. “Scripture says, ‘He gave his angels a command concerning you that they should raise you up in their hands, lest perhaps you strike your foot against a stone.’” See how crafty he is, even in the texts he quotes. For he wishes to diminish the Savior’s glory, as if the Savior needed the help of angels. It is as if he would strike his foot unless he were supported by their hands. The devil takes his verse from Scripture and applies it to Christ. Yet it is written not of Christ but about the saints in general. Freely and in total confidence I contradict the devil. This passage cannot be applied to the person of Christ, for Christ does not need the help of angels. He is greater than the angels and obtained a better name than they by inheritance. “God never said to any of the angels, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.’” [1] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 31.4. [2]

THE PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE IS CHRIST

PRUDENTIUS:

Still the pinnacle stands, outlasting the temple’s destruction,

For the corner raised up from that stone which the builders rejected [3]

Will remain throughout all ages forever and ever.

Now it is head of the temple and holds the new stones together.

SCENES FROM SACRED HISTORY 31. [4]

[1] Ps 2:7; Heb 1:5.

[2] FC 94:127*.

[3] Lk 20:17.

[4] FC 52:189.

4:13 | Until an Opportune Time

THE DEVIL RETURNS AS ROARING LION AT CRUCIFIXION

AUGUSTINE: When the Lord had been tempted with this triple temptation—because in all the allurements of the world these three are to be found, either pleasure or curiosity or pride—what did the Evangelist say? After the devil had concluded every temptation—every kind, but of the alluring sort—there remained the other sort of temptation, by harsh and hard treatment, savage treatment, atrocious and ferocious treatment. Yes, there remained the other sort of temptation. The Evangelist knew this, knew what had been carried out, what remained, and so he said, “After the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until the time.” He departed from him in the form, that is, of the insidious serpent. [1] He is going to come in the form of the roaring lion. [2] The one who will trample on the lion and the cobra [3] will conquer him. Satan will return. He will enter Judas and will make him betray his master. He will bring along the Jews, not flattering now, but raging. Taking possession of his own instruments, he will cry out with the tongues of all of them, “Crucify him, crucify him!” [4] That Christ was the conqueror there, why should we be surprised? He was almighty God. SERMON 284.5. [5]

[1] Gen 3:1.

[2] 1 Pet 5:8.

[3] Ps 91:13.

[4] Lk 23:21.

[5] WSA 3 8:91*.