ISB ~ Luke 4 v1 - 13

Luke’s temptation narrative plots the course of Jesus’ ministry. At question is the nature of his mission:What kind of Messiah will he be? Satan attempts to detour Jesus from the path of suffering to one of earthly power (4:6) and sensationalism (4:9-10). His final effort to tempt Jesus brings them to Jerusalem (4:9), which anticipates Passion Week and the defeat of Satan by the Cross (Heb 2:14-15; 1 Jn 3:8) (CCC 538-40, 2119). See note on Mt 4:1-11.

• Allegorically (St. Ambrose, In Lucam): Christ goes into the wilderness to rescue man from his exile in sin. Since Adam’s expulsion from Eden, man has languished in the desert of spiritual death, cut off from paradise. Christ pursues man in the desert to wrest him from the grip of the devil.