Luke 4:2
Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
Original Language Analysis
ἡμέραις
days
G2250
ἡμέραις
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
1 of 19
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
πειραζόμενος
Being
G3985
πειραζόμενος
Being
Strong's:
G3985
Word #:
3 of 19
to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
4 of 19
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐδὲν
G3762
οὐδὲν
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
10 of 19
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραις
days
G2250
ἡμέραις
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
13 of 19
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ἐκείναις
those
G1565
ἐκείναις
those
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
14 of 19
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συντελεσθεισῶν
were ended
G4931
συντελεσθεισῶν
were ended
Strong's:
G4931
Word #:
16 of 19
to complete entirely; generally, to execute (literally or figuratively)
αὐτῶν
when they
G846
αὐτῶν
when they
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Exodus 34:28And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.1 Kings 19:8And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.Hebrews 2:18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.Hebrews 4:15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Deuteronomy 9:9When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:John 4:6Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.Deuteronomy 9:18And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Historical Context
Fasting was an established Jewish spiritual discipline for seeking God, expressing repentance, and preparing for divine encounter. Moses and Elijah's supernatural fasts (40 days without food or water) were exceptional, marking them as unique prophets. Jesus' fast placed Him in this prophetic tradition. The detail that hunger came 'when they were ended' suggests supernatural sustenance during the 40 days, similar to Moses and Elijah. This established Jesus as the ultimate prophet who mediates God's word more perfectly than even Moses or Elijah.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' 40-day fast parallel Moses and Elijah, establishing Him as the ultimate prophet and mediator?
- What does Jesus' genuine hunger after fasting teach about the reality of His human nature and His temptation?
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus was tempted 'forty days' and 'did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.' The 40-day period parallels Moses' 40 days on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah's 40-day journey to Horeb (1 Kings 19:8). Jesus' fasting demonstrates His complete dependence on God and His prioritization of spiritual sustenance over physical. The note that He 'hungered' afterward emphasizes His genuine humanity—He experienced real physical need and vulnerability, making His temptation genuine, not playacting. Yet even in weakness, He resisted sin.