Matthew 4:5
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Original Language Analysis
Τότε
Then
G5119
Τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 17
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
παραλαμβάνει
taketh
G3880
παραλαμβάνει
taketh
Strong's:
G3880
Word #:
2 of 17
to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 17
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίαν
the holy
G40
ἁγίαν
the holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
8 of 17
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἵστησιν
setteth
G2476
ἵστησιν
setteth
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
11 of 17
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 17
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
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πτερύγιον
a pinnacle
G4419
πτερύγιον
a pinnacle
Strong's:
G4419
Word #:
15 of 17
a winglet, i.e., (figuratively) extremity (top corner)
Cross References
Luke 4:9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:Revelation 11:2But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.Matthew 27:53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.Isaiah 48:2For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.
Historical Context
The pinnacle of the temple was likely the Royal Portico overlooking the Kidron Valley, approximately 450 feet above the valley floor. This was a public place where a miraculous sign would gain maximum attention and validate messianic claims.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Satan's tactic of questioning God's word parallel his temptation of Eve in the garden?
- Why was trusting the Father's providence rather than demanding miraculous proof crucial to Christ's obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Satan's challenge 'If thou be the Son of God' attacks Christ's identity and tempts Him to prove His sonship through miraculous sign rather than trusting the Father's word declared at baptism. This parallels the serpent's 'Yea, hath God said?' (Genesis 3:1). The temptation was to use divine power for self-preservation rather than depend on providence, anticipating the later mockery at the cross: 'If thou be the Son of God, come down' (Matthew 27:40).