ISB ~ Luke 4 v2

forty days:The duration of Jesus’ fast.

• The number 40 is symbolic of probation and testing in the Bible. It is linked with the flood (Gen 7:4, 17), Moses’ fast on Mt. Sinai (Ex 34:28), Israel’s journey in the desert (Deut 8:2), the twelve spies’ inspection of Canaan (Num 14:34), Israel’s oppression by the Philistines (Judg 13:1), Elijah’s fasting (1 Kings 19:8), and Nineveh’s opportunity to repent at the preaching of Jonah (Jon 3:4).