Luke 4:4 kjv
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Luke 4:4 nkjv
But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' "
Luke 4:4 niv
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone.'"
Luke 4:4 esv
And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"
Luke 4:4 nlt
But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone.' "
Luke 4 4 Cross References
(h2)
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dt 8:3 | ...man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. | Origin of the quote; life from God's word. |
| Mt 4:4 | ...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. | Parallel account of the temptation. |
| Jn 6:35 | Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry... | Jesus is the true spiritual food and sustainer. |
| Jn 6:48 | I am the bread of life. | Jesus directly claims to be spiritual sustenance. |
| Jn 6:51 | I am the living bread that came down from heaven. | Jesus, as divine spiritual bread, gives life. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. | God's word provides guidance and direction for life. |
| Ps 119:130 | The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding... | God's word brings wisdom and clarity. |
| Jer 15:16 | When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight... | Consuming God's word brings inner joy. |
| Amos 8:11-12 | “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food... but of hearing the words of the LORD.” | Spiritual famine due to lack of God's word. |
| 1 Pt 2:2 | Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation... | Desire for spiritual nourishment (the word). |
| Heb 5:12-14 | For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God... | Progressing from milk to solid food (mature word). |
| Jn 4:32-34 | But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” ... “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” | Jesus' primary sustenance is doing God's will. |
| Job 23:12 | I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. | Valuing God's word above physical sustenance. |
| Acts 20:32 | Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance... | The word builds up believers and bestows inheritance. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness... | Sufficiency and purpose of God's Word. |
| Jn 1:1, 14 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. | Jesus as the ultimate divine Word. |
| Is 55:10-11 | As the rain and the snow come down from heaven... so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty... | God's word accomplishes His divine purpose. |
| Mt 6:25-33 | Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. | Prioritizing spiritual over material provision. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. | God's ultimate provision for all needs. |
| Ps 1:2 | but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. | Blessedness from delighting in God's law/word. |
| Prov 30:5 | Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. | The perfection and protective nature of God's word. |
| Lk 8:11 | “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.” | The Word of God as the sown seed for spiritual growth. |
| Jn 15:7 | If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. | Remaining in Christ and His words enables spiritual power. |
Luke 4 verses
Luke 4 4 Meaning
(h2)Luke 4:4 articulates Jesus’ profound response to the devil’s first temptation in the wilderness. After forty days of fasting, when prompted to turn stones into bread, Jesus asserts that human existence is not fundamentally sustained by physical food alone. Instead, true and complete life, encompassing spiritual well-being and flourishing, derives from unwavering reliance upon "every word of God." This statement prioritizes divine revelation and spiritual dependence over material provision, revealing the ultimate source of human vitality and purpose.
Luke 4 4 Context
(h2)Luke 4:4 is part of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness (Lk 4:1-13), a pivotal event immediately following His baptism and filled with the Holy Spirit. Having fasted for forty days, Jesus is at His weakest physically when the devil directly challenges Him to misuse His divine power for personal physical gratification, urging Him to turn stones into bread. This temptation echoes Israel's wanderings in the wilderness (as found in Deuteronomy), where they were physically provided for, but also tested to learn ultimate dependence on God. Jesus, unlike Israel, resists by faithfully adhering to Scripture, modeling perfect obedience and reliance on God. This encounter sets the stage for Jesus’ public ministry by establishing His unwavering commitment to His Father's will and word over worldly needs or Satan's inducements. Historically, Jewish thought highly esteemed physical provision as a sign of blessing, and fasting was a recognized spiritual discipline. Jesus’ response thus also stands as a polemic against any belief system that elevates material satisfaction above spiritual submission and reliance on divine instruction.
Luke 4 4 Word analysis
(h2)
- And Jesus answered him, saying,
- And (καί - kai): A common connective, seamlessly linking Jesus' divine authority with His human vulnerability in the wilderness setting.
- Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iesous): The central figure, fully God and fully man, demonstrating reliance on the very Word He is the embodiment of. His name signifies "Yahweh saves."
- answered (ἀπεκρίθη - apekrithē): Implying a decisive and authoritative counter, not a defensive or argumentative retort.
- him (αὐτῷ - autō): Refers to the devil, the instigator of temptation, setting up a direct spiritual confrontation.
- saying (λέγων - legōn): Indicating a spoken declaration, an verbal pronouncement of truth.
- It is written,
- It is written (Γέγραπται - Gegraptai): This phrase, in the perfect passive indicative, means "it stands written" or "it has been written and remains written." It denotes absolute, enduring authority derived directly from Scripture. This is Jesus' primary weapon and method against temptation, showcasing the timeless power and sufficiency of God's Word.
- That man shall not live by bread alone,
- That (ὅτι - hoti): Introduces a direct quote, underscoring fidelity to the source.
- man (ἄνθρωπος - anthrōpos): Refers to humanity in general, universally applicable to all people, highlighting a foundational truth about human existence.
- shall not live (οὐ ζήσεται - ou zēsetai): The strongest possible negation. "Ou" for absolute impossibility, "zēsetai" (from zaō) referring to true, meaningful, and enduring life, not just mere biological survival.
- by bread (ἐπ' ἄρτῳ - ep' artō): "By" (ἐπί) indicates dependence or means. "Bread" (ἄρτος - artos) represents physical food and, metaphorically, all material provisions or physical means of sustenance.
- alone (μόνῳ - monō): Emphasizes exclusivity; physical nourishment is insufficient for complete life. It addresses the immediate physical hunger but redirects focus to a higher truth.
- but by every word of God.
- but (ἀλλά - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, introducing a vital contrast and redirection to the true source of life.
- by (ἐπί - epi): Again, denotes the source or means of sustenance.
- every (παντί - panti): Comprehensive and all-inclusive, indicating the entirety of God's revealed will—every command, promise, and instruction—is essential.
- word (ῥήματι - rhēmati): Often signifies a specific, uttered, or living declaration from God, distinguishing it from logos which can be broader (the comprehensive Word). Here, it implies God's active, dynamic pronouncements that sustain life.
- of God (Θεοῦ - Theou): Explicitly identifies the divine origin and authority of this life-giving "word," separating it from human wisdom or provision.
- Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written," – This establishes Jesus’ calm authority, His spiritual wisdom, and His primary weapon against temptation: reliance on God’s unchanging written Word rather than engaging in argument or exercising personal power outside the Father’s will. This is a divine declaration of ultimate truth.
- "That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." – This complete phrase, directly quoting Dt 8:3, defines humanity’s true source of life. It’s a spiritual principle asserting that physical sustenance is secondary to the complete and active spiritual nourishment derived from God’s comprehensive revelation. It underscores that God's Word provides deeper, eternal, and all-encompassing sustenance for human life and spirit, far beyond what mere physical provisions can offer.
Luke 4 4 Bonus section
(h2)
- This verse provides a crucial link between the Old and New Testaments, as Jesus quotes directly from Deuteronomy 8:3, demonstrating the continuity and enduring authority of God's revelation.
- The "word of God" here refers not merely to written commands but to every active utterance and sustaining power that proceeds from God's mouth, implying a direct and dynamic relationship with divine truth.
- Jesus’ refusal to turn stones into bread also highlights His perfect submission and humility. Despite possessing divine power, He chooses to live and act in perfect reliance upon His Father, setting an ultimate example for all believers in spiritual warfare and dependence.
- The emphasis on "every word" is significant, stressing that complete adherence and nourishment come from all of God's revelation, not just parts. This promotes a holistic view of biblical authority and application.
Luke 4 4 Commentary
(h2)Luke 4:4 is a foundational statement that unpacks the very nature of true human life. In rejecting the devil's bait for immediate physical gratification, Jesus elevates spiritual dependence on God's Word above all else. This verse is not a denial of the body's need for food but a re-prioritization, stating that without the "every word of God," true human flourishing and life cannot be fully sustained. It reveals that the power to overcome temptation lies in Scripture, which acts as a living and active source of divine strength and guidance. Jesus's example shows us that when facing our greatest needs and desires, turning to the revealed will of God—understanding and obeying it comprehensively—is the only way to genuinely live and overcome the adversary.