ACC ~ Matthew 4 v5 - 6

THE PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE

HILARY: The devil works at temptation by leading the Lord from the highest to the lowest things to reduce him to humiliation. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, as if towering over the laws and the prophets. He knew indeed that the angels would be prompt to minister to the Son of God, lest he dash his foot against a stone. He could trample underfoot the serpent and the adder and tread on the lion and the dragon. [1] Concerning those lower things which were taken for granted, the devil kept silent, but by mentioning the higher things, he wanted in some way to elicit obedience from the tempted One, hoping to hear an echo of his own glory in a vote of confidence from the Lord of majesty. ON MATTHEW 3.4. [2]

[1] Ps 91:13 (90:13 LXX).

[2] SC 254:116.

IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD

CHRYSOSTOM: What can the reason be that with each temptation the devil adds, “If you are the Son of God”? He is acting just like he did in the case of Adam, when he disparaged God by saying, “In the day you eat, your eyes will be opened.” [1] So he does in this case, intending thereby to signify that our first parents had been beguiled and outsmarted and had received no benefit. So even in the temptation of Jesus he insinuates the same thing, saying, “In vain God has called you Son and has beguiled you by his gift. For, if this is not so, give us some clear proof that you are from that power.” And, because Christ had reasoned with him from Scripture, he does the same, bringing in the testimony of the prophet. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 13.4. [2]

[1] Gen 3:5.

[2] PG 57:211; NPNF 1 10:82*.

HOW THE DEVIL MISINTERPRETED SCRIPTURE

JEROME: “Throw yourself down.” It is the devil’s voice by which he desires that everyone should fall down. “Throw yourself,” he says. He is able to persuade, but he cannot cast down. “He will give his angels charge concerning you; and upon their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” This we read in the ninetieth psalm. [1] Clearly the prophecy here is not about Christ but about a holy man. The devil therefore is a poor interpreter of the Scriptures. Certainly, if he really knew what was written about the Savior, he should have also said what follows in the same psalm against him: “You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.” [2] Concerning the help of the angels, he speaks as though to a feeble man. Concerning his being trampled underfoot, he is silent like an artful dodger.

Jesus said to him, “It is written further, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” The false arrows from the devil’s own scriptures he breaks with the true shield of the Scripture. And it should be noted that he cited the necessary testimony from Deuteronomy that he might show the sacraments of the second law. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 1.4.5-7. [3]

[1] Ps 91:11-12 (90:11-12 LXX).

[2] Ps 91:13 (90:13 LXX).

[3] CCL 77:21-22.