Luke 4:1-13
“Notice what you notice.” A number of items today… First, when we read according to the schedule that we are following we see quite a bit of repetition in the synoptic gospels and we naturally make comparisons between these accounts. In this temptation account many writers point to the difference between Matthew and Luke in the order of the presentation of the temptations. Some say that Matthew’s ordering is “correct” in that the devil leaves Jesus when he is finished – THEN the devil left Him (my emphasis) (Mt. 1:11). Luke simply says when the devil had ended every temptation (Luke 1:13), leaving open the ordering. I have read two different explanations for Luke’s ordering. The first is geographical, from the wilderness (barren, isolated) to the mountain top (with the view of all the kingdoms) to the city. Interesting. The second points to Satan and Jesus finishing in Jerusalem, Luke essentially pointing to his readers that Jesus was looking at His finish in Jerusalem from the very beginning of His ministry.
Second, Luke adds a few words in his final verse that Matthew and Mark leave out: the devil … departed from him until an opportune time (my emphasis). Intriguing. That is, Satan was not finished with Jesus. He had lost the battle, but was not ready to admit defeat in the overall war. AND, even when Satan was finally defeated in Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, he could not bring himself to admit defeat – he is still here trying to tempt Jesus’ followers away from Him and joyfully leading non-believers down every wrong twist and turn. Satan wants a do-over!! I guess that’s what Armageddon is all about! But we’ve read to the end of the Book and we know how it all ends, so why the continuing battles that we face? Why does he persist when he knows he will lose? Why?
Finally, my Study Bible points to Luke’s focus on the Holy Spirit. It cites a dozen or so mentions of the Holy Spirit in Luke’s gospel and (shockingly) 55 mentions in Acts. That’s an average of two a chapter! I have noticed this Holy Spirit focus in Acts and even highlighted most of those mentions in the first Bible that I bought after I was born again. This item doesn’t really relate much to the temptation, but it was a footnote item in my Study Bible – and a major “notice” for me!!
Be blessed!!