Matthew 4:11

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 4:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Matthew 4:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Then the devil leaveth him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then the devil leaveth him, etc.] In (<420413>Luke 4:13) it says, when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season, or until a season. That is, having tempted him with all sorts of temptations, and tried him every way to no purpose; having gone through, and finished the whole scheme and course of temptations he had devised, without success; and having orders from Christ to depart, which he was obliged to obey, leaves him for a while, till another opportunity of tempting him in some other way should offer; or till the time came, when he should be so far able to get the advantage of him, as to bruise his heel, or bring him to the dust of death; (see <431430>John…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then the devil leaveth him--Luke says, "And when the devil had exhausted"--or "quite ended," as in Luk 4:2 --"every (mode of) temptation, he departed from him till a season." The definite "season" here indicated is expressly referred to by our Lord in Joh 14:30; Luk 22:52-53. and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him--or supplied Him with food, as the same expression means in Mar 1:31; Luk 8:3. Thus did angels to Elijah (Kg1 19:5-8). Excellent critics think that they ministered, not food only, but supernatural support and cheer also. But this would be the natural effect rather than the direct object of the visit, which was plainly what we have expressed. And after having refused to…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then the devil leaveth him - He left him for a time, Luke 4:13. He intended to return again to the temptation, and, if possible, to seduce him yet from God. Compare John 14:30; Luke 22:53. See the notes at Hebrews 12:4. The angels came and ministered - See the notes at Matthew 1:20. They came and supplied his wants and comforted him. From this narrative we may learn: (a) That no one is so holy as to be free from temptation, for even the Son of God was sorely tempted. (b) That when God permits a temptation or trial to come upon us, he will, if we look to him, give us grace to resist and overcome it, 1 Corinthians 10:13. (c) We see the art of the tempter. His temptations are adapted to times…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Angels came and waited upon him - Both to supply him with food, and to congratulate his victory. Matthew 4:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:11 Then the devil went away: Jesus’ rebuff of Satan here foreshadows his victory over demons (12:28), Satan’s defeat through the Cross (Col 2:14-15), and the final victory at the end of history (Rom 16:20; Rev 12:7-17; 20:2-3, 10). • Angels, who had already been involved in the Messiah’s arrival and protection (Matt 1:20, 24; 2:13, 19), now came and took care of Jesus after his temptation, in fulfillment of the Old Testament (4:6; see Ps 91:11-12).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the devil: Luk 4:13, Luk 22:53; Joh 14:30 behold: Mat 4:6, Mat 26:53, Mat 28:2-5; Mar 1:13; Luk 22:43; Ti1 3:16; Heb 1:6, Heb 1:14; Rev 5:11, Rev 5:12 Matthew 4:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification