Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaves him, and, behold, angels came and ministered to him. I. Satan's departure ON THE SIDE OF CHRIST. Christ had repelled Satan in the third temptation in quite a different way from that in the previous contests (Luke 4:8). A coercive and indignant dismissal. II. Satan also WITHDREW WILLINGLY. He had exhausted his temptations. All the varied forms of temptation are reduceable to three — pride, avarice, and sensuality. Three root-passions (1 John 2:16). So Christ tempted in all points as we are. Had Satan remained he had no more weapons to try. At the fitting moment Christ revealed His hatred of sin. This overthrow was a new experience. III. How far this WITHDRAWAL WAS TEMPORARY. Satan returned in the Passion, but indirectly through others. He entered into Judas. (W. H. Hutchings, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.WEB: Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him. |
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