Jesus' Temptation in the gospels

Scriptures: Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13

The first three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are commonly referred to as The Synoptic Gospels because they give a synopsis ("a brief summary or general survey of something"; Oxford Languages) of Christ's earthly sojourn. It is important to realize these three Gospels are just that—a synopsis or summary. The Apostle John wrote, "There are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" (John 21:25). We must be aware, in every case, we are not provided with every detail. 

We must also recognize the truth that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). Yet today, two ministers at two different times may be inspired to preach from the same Scripture text, but be inspired to accent two different aspects or truths—both of which are true and accurate.

The Scripture texts in question present a clear example of different summaries. The seemingly most apparent discrepancy is the comparison of Matthew's account in view of the others. Matthew 4:1-3 tells us: "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came ...." A casual reading of this might appear to say that Jesus was not tempted until after the "forty days and forty nights" (verse 2).

Mark 1:13 says, "He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan." Luke 4:2 records it in a similar manner, stating, "Being forty days tempted of the devil." Notice the difference in how divine inspiration prompted the writers to relate this account. Mark and Luke both offered it exactly as "forty days tempted." However, Mark never mentioned the three specific temptations Matthew and Luke recorded. 

Mark mentioned "wild beasts" (Mark 1:13) that the other writers do not mention. Because they were inspired to accent or omit certain details does not mean they did not happen or that the accounts were incorrect. Just because Mark was not impressed to mention the detail of the three specific temptations or being the only writer to mention "wild beasts" does not mean the other accounts are inaccurate or contradictory. What Mark said was true as far as it went; the other writers were merely inspired to relate more detail.

It is evident Jesus was "tempted" for "forty days." Matthew recognized that when he wrote in Matthew 4:1, "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." This verse acknowledges Him as being "tempted" but, as with the other accounts, mentions nothing concerning the temptations with which He had to contend during the "forty days." 

One reason is due to the meaning of the Greek word for "tempted" (used in all three synoptic texts), which is peirazo. This word does not always mean an inducement to evil, but is broader and incorporates being tested or tried. All the events of the "forty days" are not revealed. We know the trial consisted of Jesus being "in the wilderness ... with the wild beasts" (Mark 1:13), and "in those days he did eat nothing" (Luke 4:2) for "forty days and forty nights" (Matthew 4:2). Certainly, each of those things would try our human nature.

The description of these three specific temptations provides great insight into the nature of temptation that universally appeals to "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16). This is the reason Matthew and Luke were inspired to detail what occurred "afterward" (Matthew 4:2) or "when they were ended" (Luke 4:2), the "forty days and forty nights" (Matthew 4:2). Thus, there was no contradiction or discrepancy; the writers were simply inspired to record different aspects of the event.

​Luke's account closes, stating, "And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season" (Luke 4:13), revealing this was not the only occurrence of our Lord being tempted. We must always be aware that these Gospels are a summary, not giving the complete details or even mentioning everything our Lord did while here in this world.

Earl R. Borders

From the October 2025 issue of The Gospel Trumpeter