Matthew 4 4

Matthew 4:4 kjv

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:4 nkjv

But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "

Matthew 4:4 niv

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Matthew 4:4 esv

But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Matthew 4:4 nlt

But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

Matthew 4 verses

Matthew 4 4 Meaning

This verse encapsulates Jesus' foundational response to temptation, affirming that human existence, in its deepest and most essential sense, is sustained not merely by physical nourishment but by absolute dependence on every truth, command, and revelation proceeding directly from God. It highlights the supremacy of spiritual life and divine will over material provisions.

Matthew 4 4 Context

This verse appears at a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry. Following His baptism by John, where the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and the Father's voice affirmed Him, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days and nights (Mt 4:1-2). This fasting and the barren, desolate environment emphasize His extreme physical vulnerability. The devil's first temptation ("If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread" - Mt 4:3) directly challenges Jesus' divine sonship and His immediate physical need, proposing a solution rooted in material gratification and independent action. Jesus' response in Matthew 4:4 is a direct rebuke of this worldview.

Historically and culturally, the Jewish people in the First Century, living under Roman occupation and often facing poverty, were keenly aware of the need for daily sustenance. Bread was a staple and often represented the basic necessities of life. The devil's temptation resonated deeply with human primal needs. However, Jesus, by quoting Deut 8:3, redirects the focus from material provision alone to God's all-encompassing sustaining power through His word, echoing Israel's experience in the wilderness where God fed them supernaturally with manna, teaching them ultimate dependence on Him rather than solely on their own means. This subtly serves as a polemic against placing absolute trust in human resources, earthly power, or material abundance for true life and well-being.

Matthew 4 4 Word analysis

• But He answered: Highlights Jesus' immediate and definitive counter to the devil's temptation. It signifies His divine authority and unwavering faith.
• "It is written,": (Greek: gegraptai, γέγραπται) This perfect passive verb signifies an authoritative statement that has been written in the past and stands as an enduring truth. It declares the binding, timeless authority of Scripture as God's Word. Jesus defers to a higher, established authority than His own personal power.
• "Man shall not live": (Greek: ouk ep' artō monō zēsetai, οὐκ ἐπ' ἄρτῳ μόνῳ ζήσεται) This phrase means "not by bread alone," implying that while bread (physical sustenance) is necessary, it is insufficient for true life. The core of human existence requires something beyond the material.
• "by bread alone": Refers to physical food and material resources. In the context of the temptation, it points to trusting solely in one's ability or immediate provision for life's necessities.
• "but by every word": (Greek: all' epi panti rhēmati, ἀλλ' ἐπὶ παντὶ ῥήματι) The conjunction "but" creates a strong contrast. "Every word" (panti rhēmati) refers not just to specific pronouncements, but to the full scope of God's revealed will, His commandments, promises, and directives. Rhema (ῥῆμα) emphasizes an uttered word, a specific divine utterance that can be apprehended and acted upon.
• "that comes from the mouth of God.": (Greek: ekporeuomenō dia stomatos Theou, ἐκπορευομένῳ διὰ στόματος Θεοῦ) This phrase powerfully underlines the divine origin and authoritative nature of these "words." They are not human philosophies but direct divine decrees, spoken by God Himself, and thus entirely reliable, life-giving, and sustaining.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'": This entire phrase, a direct quotation from Deut 8:3, serves as a summary of the Mosaic covenant principle taught to Israel in the wilderness. It posits that true life, distinct from mere physical existence, stems from obedience and reliance on God's directives. Jesus, as the Son of God and the new Israel, perfectly embodies this principle in His moment of temptation, demonstrating His complete submission to and dependence on the Father's word for sustaining life and identity. This statement establishes the preeminence of spiritual sustenance over material gain and showcases Scripture as the ultimate defense against temptation.

Matthew 4 4 Bonus section

• Jesus as the New Israel: In quoting Deut 8:3, Jesus recapitulates Israel's wilderness experience. Unlike the Israelites who often failed to fully trust God despite manna, Jesus perfectly trusts the Father through extreme hunger, demonstrating complete spiritual reliance. He stands as the faithful Son who truly lives by every word from God, fulfilling Israel's covenant ideal.
• Manna Parallel: The manna in the wilderness, mentioned in the Deuteronomic context of Jesus' quote, served not merely as physical food but as a daily lesson in absolute dependence on God. It taught Israel that their survival was miraculously contingent on God's provision, reinforcing the idea that God's word and His actions are the ultimate sustenance.
• The Nature of Life: This verse transcends mere survival. "Live" (zēsetai) refers to true, flourishing existence, both earthly and eternal. It implies that true fulfillment and spiritual vitality are impossible without internalizing and living by God's truth.
• Authority of Scripture: Jesus' choice to respond with "It is written" immediately establishes Scripture as the final authority in spiritual warfare and human conduct. His reliance on it models for believers the crucial role of God's Word in resisting temptation and walking in faith.

Matthew 4 4 Commentary

Matthew 4:4 is Jesus' profound declaration that human life, especially the life lived in communion with God, cannot be sustained by physical means alone. By quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, Jesus reminds the devil, and by extension humanity, that God is the ultimate provider of true sustenance and that reliance on His Word is paramount. This verse establishes that true well-being and life itself are found in a living relationship with God, guided and sustained by His revealed will. It’s a call to depend on divine instruction, truth, and promise above all temporal needs. This spiritual principle served as Jesus' perfect defense against the temptation to misuse His divine power for immediate physical gratification, laying the groundwork for His entire ministry and teaching on seeking God's Kingdom first.