Luke 4:2

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 4:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “during forty days, being tempted of the devil. And he did eat nothing in those days: and when they were completed, he hungered.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

during forty days, being tempted of the devil. And he did eat nothing in those days: and when they were completed, he hungered.
Luke 4:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2during forty days, being tempted of the devil. And he did eat nothing in those days: and when they were completed, he hungered.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Being forty days tempted of the devil, etc.] The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read the phrase, “forty days”, in connection with the latter part of the preceding verse; according to which the sense is, that Jesus was led by the Spirit forty days in the wilderness, before he was tempted by Satan, and in order to it: but our reading is confirmed by (<410113>Mark 1:13) who affirms, as here, that he was so long tempted by Satan; as he might be invisibly, and, by internal suggestions, before he appeared visibly, and attacked him openly, with the following temptations. The Ethiopic version adds, “and forty nights”: and such were these days in which Christ was in the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“On the temptation of Jesus, see the notes at Matthew 4:1-11. Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted - That is, through forty days he was “tried” in various ways by the devil. The temptations, however, which are recorded by Matthew and Luke did not take place until the forty days were finished. See Matthew 4:2-3. He did eat nothing - He was sustained by the power of God during this season of extraordinary fasting. Luke 4:13 Departed for a season - For a time. From this it appears that our Saviour was “afterward” subjected to temptations by Satan, but no “particular” temptations are recorded after this. From John 14:30, it seems that the devil tried or tempted him in the agony in Gethsemane.…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:2 tempted by the devil: The term diabolos is a Greek translation of the Hebrew satan, meaning “accuser” or “adversary” (1 Chr 21:1; Job 1:1–2:13; Zech 3:1-2). Luke uses both terms (“devil,” Luke 4:3, 6, 13; 8:12; “Satan,” 10:18; 11:18; 13:16; 22:3, 31). Adam and Eve were tested by Satan and failed; Jesus, the second Adam, resisted temptation and thus reversed the judgment against Adam and Eve.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“forty: Exo 24:18, Exo 34:28; Deu 9:9, Deu 9:18, Deu 9:25; Kg1 19:8; Mat 4:2 tempted: Gen 3:15; Sa1 17:16; Heb 2:18 he did: Est 4:16; Jon 3:7 he afterward: Mat 21:18; Joh 4:6; Heb 4:15 Luke 4:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification