“The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’[b]” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’[c]”9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[d]” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[e]” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” Luke 4.3-13
Three times the devil tempted Jesus, and three times Jesus quoted Scripture. Jesus did not reply with His own words—although one could argue that He did, since He is called the Word Made Flesh in John—but rather, He responded with Scripture.
Here are the three Scripture references. Reading each supports what Jesus said and provides broader context for His answers:
- Deuteronomy 8:3 – In response to the temptation to turn stone into bread (Luke 4:4), Jesus says, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” This quotes Deuteronomy 8:3, which states, “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
- Deuteronomy 6:13 – In response to the temptation to worship the devil for authority over the kingdoms (Luke 4:8), Jesus says, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” This quotes Deuteronomy 6:13, which says, “Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.”
- Deuteronomy 6:16 – In response to the temptation to throw himself from the temple (Luke 4:12), Jesus says, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” This quotes Deuteronomy 6:16, which states, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah.” (Grok, 2025).
Jesus replied to the temptations with words from Moses. Each Scripture is set in the context of God’s Hebrew people responding to and being in relationship with their God. Jesus used these Scriptures in context, affirming that God’s principles, once stated by His people, remain steadfast and true.
The three statements—“Man shall not live on bread alone,” “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only,” and “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”—are not only all from Deuteronomy but also affirm God’s authority and emphasize obedience to Him. They were also given in response to temptation, which should help us in our times of temptation and trial.
When we face temptation, do we claim the authority of God and place our faith in Him? Do we quote God’s Word, or do we seek our own means of escape under pressure to sin and turn from a loving, faithful Lord? Satan not only wanted Jesus to fail; he sought Jesus’ dependence, obedience, and worship. Satan, who was a created angelic being, turned from the Lord and, like Adam and Eve in the garden, wanted to become like God. Satan offered false promises to Jesus, but Jesus recognized them as such.
The devil does the same to us. He plays with our imagination, exploits our weaknesses, and feasts on our flesh. He wants us to believe that our acts of pleasure, self-gratification, and obedience to the flesh do not matter. Yet they do. What we do has eternal consequences, which may not be realized until after the action is complete. At that point, we may never regain the holiness for which we were created.
But Jesus rejected sin and Satan; He rejected temptation and testing. He endured extreme bouts of hunger, loneliness, and calling. Jesus, filled with the Spirit and knowing the Word of God, overcame the deceptions of the devil. We can do the same.
Trust Christ today. Learn Scripture. Let it rest upon your tongue and submit to the Spirit, who knows you best and loves you with an everlasting love.
“O Lord God, You are good. Thank you for loving me. Even when I fail, You redeem me. You pull me up, dust me off, and restore my heart to Your hands. Come now, Holy Spirit, help me walk in Your ways. Draw my family into Your care. Help them see you and submit to your will. I love you Lord and praise your name. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen