My Thoughts on the Temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13

The temptation of Jesus is often a subject to skeptics. One can say that Matthew and Luke do contradict each other. For some reason, the second and the third temptation were reversed. We all know the three temptations were pretty much as (1) turn the stones into bread, (2) jump off the pinnacle and let the angels save Jesus, and (3) worship Satan and Jesus will have all the kingdoms of the world. Yet, we read that Luke puts Matthew wrote as second as the third. What was the reason behind this one? Studying the Bible requires much research. It's not a book that can be mastered overnight. It's the Book that makes you search every other reliable (but fallible) book to authenticate its infallibility.

The Apologetics Press' article "In What Order Did Satan Tempt Jesus?" by Eric Lyons gives us this insight:

The problem with this allegation is that it is based upon an assumption. Those who claim that the “disorder” of temptations is a contradiction, presuppose that history always is written (or spoken) chronologically. However, common sense tells us otherwise. Open almost any world history textbook and you will see that even though most events are recorded chronologically, some are arranged topically. For example, in one chapter you may read about the European civilization in the late Middle Ages (A.D. 1000-1300). Yet, in the very next chapter you might learn about Medieval India (150 B.C.-A.D. 1400). Authors arrange textbooks thematically in order to reduce the confusion that would arise if every event in world history textbooks were arranged chronologically. Even when we rehearse life experiences to friends and family, oftentimes we speak climactically rather than chronologically. A teenager may return home from an amusement park and tell his father about all of the roller coasters he rode at Six Flags. Likely, rather than mentioning all of them in the order he rode them, he will start with the most exciting ones and end with the boring ones (if there is such thing as a “boring” roller coaster).

Had Matthew and Luke claimed to arrange the temptations of Jesus chronologically, skeptics would have a legitimate case. But, the fact of the matter is, neither Matthew nor Luke ever claimed such. Either one of the two gospel writers recorded these events in the order they happened, or both of them wrote topically. Most biblical scholars believe that Matthew was concerned more with the order of events in this story because of his use of words like “then” (4:5, Greek tote) and “again” (4:8, Greek palin). These two adverbs seem to indicate a more sequential order of the temptations. Luke simply links the events by using the Greek words kai and de (4:2, 5-6, translated “and”). [The NKJV’s translation of kai as “then” in Luke 4:5 is incorrect. It should be translated simply “and” (cf. KJV, ASV, NASV, and RSV)]. Similar to the English word “and” not having specific chronological implications, neither do the Greek words kai and de (Richards, 1993, p. 230). In short, Luke’ s account of the temptations of Jesus is arranged topically (or possibly climactically), whereas Matthew’s account seems to be arranged chronologically.

What's also interesting is that CARM has an article called "Where did the devil take Jesus first, the pinnacle or somewhere else?" by Matt Slick. This is a very interesting insight which says:

We quickly see that Luke 4:5 is the first mention of Jesus being taken anywhere and it simply says, “And he [the devil] led Him [Jesus] up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.” It isn’t until later in Luke 4:9 that Jesus is lead to the pinnacle on top of the temple. Therefore, the answer is simple:  Jesus was “led up” and was shown the kingdoms of the world. Later He was led to the pinnacle.

It seems to be that Satan (in actuality) first wanted Jesus to bow down and worship him. Jesus refused to worship Satan who was currently owning the world after the fall of man. It seems logical that Satan would later lead Jesus up to the pinnacle hoping He would commit suicide. Then again, Jesus could've easily called an angel from Heaven to catch Him or make a show. Slick did put the verses side by side though it doesn't seem to convince me that the final event was the pinnacle. Luke probably was writing it in the order he felt was more topical than Matthew. I think Matthew probably wrote it chronologically and Luke decided to do it topically.

Either way, I'm glad that Jesus defeated Satan's temptations in the wilderness. Jesus proved what Adam was incapable of - resisting sin. Adam sinned in the ideal conditions. Jesus didn't sin and He was in the worst condition possible. Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days fasting and in fellowship with His Father. Jesus' inability to sin made Him the perfect sin sacrifice. It made Jesus the perfect Good Friday sacrifice that became the once-and-for-all offering in Hebrews 9 and 10:12. One sacrifice for sins and it became the final sacrifice for all sins.