“Man Shall Not Live on Bread Alone”
“The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone’” (Luke 4:3–4).
As I meditate on this passage, I desire to receive the lesson God gives through it.
(1) Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness: After being filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan River and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Lk. 4:1; cf. Mt. 4:1). According to Mark 1:12, the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, where He stayed forty days and was tempted by the devil (“Satan,” v.13). Before considering the content of this temptation, let us first reflect on the word “temptation.”
(a) The Meaning of “Temptation”: The Greek word used here is πειραζόμενος (peirazomenos), derived from πειράζω (peirazō), meaning to test or to prove a person or thing. In the New Testament, this word can refer to: (1) a hostile attempt to lead someone into sin (Mt. 4:3), (2) a neutral testing to examine one’s character (2 Cor. 13:5), (3) or a divine testing designed to strengthen faith (Heb. 11:17). The context always clarifies whether the “test” is meant for destruction or for growth.
(i) According to the commentary Hochma, Scripture reveals three distinct kinds of testing, though most Korean and English translations render all of them simply as “시험” which can mean ‘test’ or ‘temptation’.
· Satan tempts people (temptation).
- Satan entices people to commit evil. Yet God neither tempts anyone in this way nor can He Himself be tempted by evil. “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone” (Jam. 1:13). Moreover, not every temptation comes directly from Satan; some arise from our own sinful desires: “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (vv. 14–15)
· People test God (testing).
- Human beings can test God by making demands that contradict faith. The Israelites did this in the wilderness, which is why Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16: “Do not put the LORD your God to the test as you did at Massah” [(Lk. 4:12) “Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test'"].
· God tests His people (trial).
- God tested Israel in the wilderness to humble them and reveal what was in their hearts: “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deut. 8:2). Likewise, God tested Israel with manna to see whether they would obey His law (Exod. 16:4). The wilderness experiences of both Israel and Jesus contain all three of these forms of testing.
(2) The First Temptation: Turning Stones into Bread
(a) The devil’s first temptation was: “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread” (Lk. 4:3).
(i) The Timing and Nature of the Temptation: This temptation came after Jesus had fasted for forty days and was extremely hungry (Mt. 4:2).
· Satan’s timing is revealing — he often tempts us when we are physically or emotionally weak. Of course, temptation also comes during times of abundance, which is why Agur prayed this wise prayer: “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Prov. 30:8–9).
- The apostle Paul expressed a similar truth: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:11–13).
(ii) The Purpose Behind Satan’s Temptation: Satan knew Jesus was the Son of God. So why did he say, “If you are the Son of God…”?
· His real aim was to tempt Jesus to act independently of the Father — to live by physical sustenance rather than spiritual obedience. He wanted Jesus to satisfy His hunger by His own power instead of trusting God’s word and timing.
- This is why Jesus replied: “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone” (Lk. 4:4).
(b) Jesus’ Response: Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3: “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”
(i) God led Israel through forty years in the wilderness to humble them and test whether they would keep His commands. By giving them manna, He taught them that true life comes not from bread, but from obedience to His word. Likewise, as we journey through the “wilderness” of this world, walking the narrow way of the cross, we encounter many trials. Through them we learn that we live not by earthly provision but by the Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
· When this truth becomes real to us, we confess that God’s Word is more precious than life itself. Suffering teaches us the supreme value of God’s Word above all material wealth.
(3) The Wilderness Experience and the Word: Sometimes, in this busy and noisy world, we too need to be driven into the “wilderness” (Mk. 1:12). There, alone with God, we are humbled and reminded that “man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deut. 8:3).
(a) Those who overcome through the Word make God’s Word their hope, comfort, song, and treasure (Ps. 119:49–56). They lift songs of victory to God and press onward toward the heavenly home.