Jesus responded to Satan's temptations by quoting Scripture and refusing to yield, ultimately commanding Satan to depart.
In each temptation, Jesus cited what was written in the Word of God, demonstrating His reliance on Scripture rather than on dramatic displays or Satan's offers. He refused to test God and rejected Satan's proposal to gain the kingdoms by worshiping him. After the third temptation, He commanded Satan to leave, and the devil departed.
Matthew 4:7 — Jesus directly quotes Scripture, stating that one must not tempt the Lord God, showing His response to the temptation to jump from the temple.
Matthew 4:10 — Jesus commands Satan to depart and quotes Deuteronomy 6:13, affirming that worship and service belong to God alone.
In Matthew 4, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasted forty days and nights. When Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread, Jesus answered, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Then Satan took Him to the pinnacle of the temple and urged Him to cast Himself down, quoting Scripture about angels bearing Him up. Jesus replied, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Finally, Satan showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and offered them if Jesus would worship him. Jesus responded, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." Then the devil left Him.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Jesus responded to every temptation by quoting Scripture, not by engaging in debate or yielding to Satan's appeal to pride. He points out that Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world, which were rightfully his to give as the god of this world, but Jesus refused because He knew He would receive them anyway through His future reign. Les teaches that the lesson for believers is to resist the devil by going to the Word of God for strength, just as Jesus did.
Les Feldick explains that Jesus quoted Scripture to counter Satan's misquotation and to demonstrate the proper use of God's Word. He notes in Clip 1 that Jesus said, "Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written," showing that He relied on the authority of Scripture rather than on His own reasoning. This teaches believers that when Satan attacks, they should turn to the Book for strength.
Les Feldick affirms that the kingdoms of the world were indeed Satan's to offer, since he is the god of this world. However, Jesus did not need to accept the offer because He knew He would eventually possess those kingdoms through His own reign. Les states in Clip 4 that "all these things I will give you" was within Satan's power, but Jesus refused because He would have them anyway.
Les Feldick describes the third temptation as appealing to the pride of life. Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down and worship him. Jesus responded by commanding Satan to leave and quoting Scripture that worship and service belong to God alone.
Temple Temptation
Les explains the second temptation where Satan urged Jesus to jump from the temple to impress the crowd, and Jesus responded with Scripture.
Scripture as Defense
Les shows that Jesus quoted Scripture to reject Satan's offer of kingdoms, and teaches that believers should use the Word of God in spiritual battles.
What Happened Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2? (The Genesis Gap Explained)
All right, now if you'll come with me to Matthew chapter 4, as Christ begins His earthly ministry. And He's been 40 days and 40 nights out there in the desert, and the first thing Satan comes up with is the temptation to satisfy His hunger. All right, but I want you to come with me for sake of our speaking of ruling and reigning and so forth, to come up to verse 8 in Matthew 4.
The Kingdoms Offer
Les describes the third temptation where Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms, and Jesus refused.
Satan's Authority
Les affirms that Satan had rights to the kingdoms, but Jesus didn't need to worship him to obtain them.
What Happened Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2? (The Genesis Gap Explained)
And so from that high preeminent area, not only could they look physically all four directions, but spirit beings that they were, they could look all the way back to the Garden of Eden, they could look way up to the very end of time. And all of the empires and the kingdoms that had come on the scene, and look what old Satan has the audacity to offer.
Pride of Life
Les explains that the third temptation appealed to pride, but Jesus refused.
Did Adam Sin Out of Love? The Hebrew Servant Explained
I can make it on my own, and to submit to a sovereign God and admit that He is what I need, no thanks, is what most of the world says. All right, so look at them again. It's the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. All right, now I said the Lord Jesus faced those same three set of circumstances.
Matthew 4:7: Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:16 in response to Satan's challenge to throw Himself from the temple.
Matthew 4:10: Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Jesus commands Satan to depart and quotes Deuteronomy 6:13, declaring exclusive worship of God.
Matthew 4:1: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
This verse sets the scene for the temptation narrative.
Matthew 4:2: And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
This explains Jesus' state of hunger, the occasion for the first temptation.
Yes, in Matthew 4, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy when responding to each temptation. He said, "It is written," quoting passages that affirmed trust in God's provision and exclusive worship of God.
After the third temptation, Jesus said, "Get thee hence, Satan," because Satan had overstepped by offering Him the kingdoms in exchange for worship. Jesus refused to compromise His allegiance to God.
Watch the Teaching: Jesus' Three Temptations — Why Satan's Attacks Still Matter Today