Question 46: Why did Christ spend 40 days and nights in the wilderness prior to the Crucifixion?

Answer: The passages that this question relates to can be found in three of the four gospels (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12,13, Luke 4:1-15). This forty day period began immediately following Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist and preceded additional years of ministry yet to come. The Bible tells us that Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights, a remarkable feat of human endurance indicating the physical strength of the former carpenter. While there were three major tests that followed this forty day period, other tests evidently occurred throughout the 40 days (see Luke 4:2). At the end of the 40 day period, Satan tempts Jesus in three areas: First, the tempter states, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” (Matthew 4:3). Jesus’ initial response to each of these temptations is Scripture! He said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3). Secondly, Satan took Jesus to the holy city of Jerusalem to the pinnacle of the temple and tempted Him to cast Himself down to be saved by angels. Jesus again responds by quoting Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:16) as He says “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (Matthew 4:7) Finally, Satan tempts Jesus to worship him by taking Him to the top of a high mountain and offering Jesus all those things which He could see (Matthew 4:8,9). Jesus responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13 when He says “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:10). In responding to each of Satan’s temptations, the first two of which began “If thou be the Son of God,” Jesus authenticated His Deity – showing that He was indeed the Son of God. Additionally, Jesus showed us that He was indeed perfect and without sin. Hebrews 4:15 tells us “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” This great passage also shows us that when Satan tempts us (which he will), we can overcome those temptations by relying on Scripture. God’s Word is powerful and gives us the ability to stand victoriously against the enemy – just as Jesus did! All of these reasons give us the many things that Jesus showed and taught us during His forty days and forty nights of fasting in the wilderness.