Matthews temptation narrative recounts Jesus spiritual preparation for ministry. The event contrasts the disobedience of ancient Israel with the obedience of Jesus, representative of the new Israel: (1) Israel and Jesus are both called Gods son (3:17; Ex 4:22) (2) The temptations of both Israel and Jesus are preceded by a baptism (3:13-17; 1Cor 10:1-5) (3) Israel was tested for 40 years, Jesus is tempted for forty days and forty nights (4:2) (4) Israel failed its wilderness testing, while Jesus triumphs over Satan through obedience and self-abasement (4:11). These parallels are supported by Jesus three responses (4:4, 7, 10) to the devil taken from Deut 68. These texts (Deut 8:3; 6:16; 6:13) warned the Israelites against disobedience and reminded them of Gods provisions in the wilderness (CCC 538-39).
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 13:39:09 +0000
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