Gospels at all weakened by them. The list of names ends thus, “Who was the son of Adam, the son
of God;” that is, the offspring of God by creation. Christ was both the son of Adam and the Son of
God, that he might be a proper Mediator between God and the sons of Adam, and might bring the
sons of Adam to be, through him, the sons of God. All flesh, as descended from the first Adam, is
as grass, and withers as the flower of the field; but he who partakes of the Holy Spirit of life from
the Second Adam, has that eternal happiness, which by the gospel is preached unto us.
Chapter 4
Chapter Outline
The temptation of Christ. (1–13)
Christ in the synagogue of Nazareth. (14–30)
He casts out an unclean spirit and heals the (31–44)
sick.Verses 1–13
Christ's being led into the wilderness gave an advantage to the tempter; for there he was alone,
none were with him by whose prayers and advice he might be helped in the hour of temptation. He
who knew his own strength might give Satan advantage; but we may not, who know our own
weakness. Being in all things made like unto his brethren, Jesus would, like the other children of
God, live in dependence upon the Divine Providence and promise. The word of God is our sword,
and faith in that word is our shield. God has many ways of providing for his people, and therefore
is at all times to be depended upon in the way of duty. All Satan's promises are deceitful; and if he
is permitted to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them,
he uses them as baits to insnare men to destruction. We should reject at once and with abhorrence,
every opportunity of sinful gain or advancement, as a price offered for our souls; we should seek
riches, honours, and happiness in the worship and service of God only. Christ will not worship
Satan; nor, when he has the kingdoms of the world delivered to him by his Father, will he suffer
any remains of the worship of the devil to continue in them. Satan also tempted Jesus to be his own
murderer, by unfitting confidence in his Father's protection, such as he had no warrant for. Let not
any abuse of Scripture by Satan or by men abate our esteem, or cause us to abandon its use; but let
us study it still, seek to know it, and seek our defence from it in all kinds of assaults. Let this word
dwell richly in us, for it is our life. Our victorious Redeemer conquered, not for himself only, but
for us also. The devil ended all the temptation. Christ let him try all his force, and defeated him.
Satan saw it was to no purpose to attack Christ, who had nothing in him for his fiery darts to fasten
upon. And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us. Yet he departed but till the season when he
was again to be let loose upon Jesus, not as a tempter, to draw him to sin, and so to strike at his
head, at which he now aimed and was wholly defeated in; but as a persecutor, to bring Christ to
suffer, and so to bruise his heel, which it was told him, he should have to do, and would do, though