Matthew 4:2
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 9
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
3 of 9
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 9
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
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.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.Luke 4:2Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.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:Exodus 24:18And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.Deuteronomy 9:25Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.Mark 11:12And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: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 18:18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Historical Context
The forty-day period parallels Moses' two forty-day fasts on Sinai (Exodus 24:18, 34:28) and Israel's forty years of testing. The wilderness location echoes Israel's proving ground, making this a recapitulation of redemptive history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's wilderness victory demonstrate that He succeeded where Israel and Adam failed?
- What does Jesus' voluntary subjection to testing teach about His true humanity and qualification as our representative?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Christ's forty-day fast recapitulates Israel's forty years in the wilderness, but where Israel failed through grumbling and disobedience, Christ succeeded through perfect submission to the Father. The physical weakness from fasting made Jesus vulnerable to temptation, demonstrating that He faced genuine testing in His human nature. Yet Christ's victory proves He is the true Israel who keeps covenant perfectly, securing righteousness for His people.