Tested by the Devil
1-2Now
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the
Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested
by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was
up he was hungry.
3The
Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: "Since you're God's
Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread."
4Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to really live."
5-7For
the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the
earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, "They're yours in all
their splendor to serve your pleasure. I'm in charge of them all and can
turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they're yours, the
whole works."
8Jesus
refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord
your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute
single-heartedness."
9-11For
the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of
the Temple. He said, "If you are God's Son, jump. It's written, isn't
it, that 'he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they
will catch you; you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone'?"
12"Yes," said Jesus, "and it's also written, 'Don't you dare tempt the Lord your God.'"
13That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.