What does Luke 4:2 mean?

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. Luke 4:2

Explanation

Luke 4:2 describes a period of significant testing for Jesus Christ, during which He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. The verse emphasizes that Jesus fasted for forty days and nights, a period after which He naturally felt physical hunger. This account portrays not only the human aspect of Jesus experiencing hunger but also underscores His commitment to His spiritual mission. The fact that He did nothing to relieve His hunger until the forty days ended shows His resolve and dedication to fulfilling what He set out to do.

Historical Context

This event is believed to have occurred after Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist and before His public ministry began. The number forty is significant in the Bible and often symbolizes a period of testing or judgment. For example, the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, and Moses fasted for forty days and nights on Mount Sinai. This period of Jesus’ fasting and temptation in the desert is seen as a fulfillment of these Old Testament patterns and a preparation for His ministry.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is rich with meanings. From a Christian standpoint, the temptations of Jesus are seen as a demonstration of His sinlessness and His divinity. He resists the devil’s enticements, relying on the Word of God for strength, which contrasts the failure of the first man, Adam, when tempted. This resistance also prefigures the ultimate victory over sin and death that Jesus would accomplish through His death and resurrection.

Practical Applications

This verse holds several practical applications for believers. It reminds individuals of the importance of fasting and prayer, especially when preparing for significant spiritual undertakings. It also encourages believers to resist temptations by relying on scripture and faith in God. Furthermore, it serves as a motivator for endurance in the face of trials and as a reminder that physical needs should not always take precedence over spiritual commitments.

Cross-References

• Matthew 4:1-11: “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”
• Mark 1:12-13: “And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.”
• Deuteronomy 8:3: “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.”

Language Study

The key terms in the original Greek text of this verse include:

• “tempted” (πειραζόμενος, peirazomenos): To be tested or tried.
• “devil” (διάβολος, diabolos): Accuser or slanderer, often used as a title for Satan.
• “eat” (ἔφαγεν, ephagen): The aorist active indicative form, denoting a past action of eating or not eating.
• “ended” (συντελεσθείσων, syntelestheisōn): Completed or concluded.
• “hungered” (ἐπείνασεν, epeinasen): To feel hunger, the aorist active indicative form suggests that Jesus began to feel hunger after the period was over.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of fasting and temptation in the wilderness has parallels in other religious traditions. For example, in Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) underwent a period of intense asceticism before reaching enlightenment. In Hinduism, various figures, including ascetics and yogis, retreat into solitary places for spiritual practices, which may include fasting and resisting temptations.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, fasting for prolonged periods as mentioned in this verse, while extraordinary, is not entirely outside the realm of human capability. Starvation and fasting can lead to altered states of consciousness which could potentially augment religious experiences.

Commentaries

Traditional Biblical commentaries often focus on the spiritual significance of Jesus’ fasting and the nature of His temptations. Early Church Father John Chrysostom noted that the devil waited until Jesus was hungry before tempting Him, showing his opportunistic nature. Modern scholars also analyze the synoptic gospels’ accounts to understand the theological implications of the temptations and their relevance to the mission and identity of Jesus. Most agree on the symbolism of the forty days and the typology of Jesus as the new Adam and new Israel, succeeding where others have failed.