Was Jesus Tempted?
I have heard a lot of speculation about whether or not Jesus was tempted. I’ve heard people say that if Jesus was tempted then He could not be God because God cannot be tempted. I believe this is due to a misunderstanding of what tempted actually means. I misunderstood this word myself so I had to study it. So, was Jesus tempted?
If we look at Psalm 106:13-14, we will see that it says that God was tempted. However, you must understand what tempted actually means.
Psalm 106:13-15
13 They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:
14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. (KJV)
Look at the ESV translation.
Psalm 106:13-15
13 But they soon forgot his works;
they did not wait for his counsel.
14 But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness,
and put God to the test in the desert;
15 he gave them what they asked,
but sent a wasting disease among them. (ESV)
What Does It Mean?
The Old Testament was written in Hebrew. Looking at the Lexicon for this word, you will see that it actually meant to test God. God was tested by these people, it doesn’t say that He succumbed to temptation. Tempting simply means testing.
and tempted
nacah (naw-saw’)
to test; by implication, to attempt — adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try.
KJV Lexicon: https://biblehub.com/lexicon/psalms/106-14.htm
In a similar vein, when Jesus was tempted by the devil in Matthew 4:1, it did not say He succumbed to the temptation. It says that He was tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1
4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (KJV)
The ESV uses the same word.
Matthew 4:1
4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (ESV)
What Does It Mean?
The New Testament was written in Greek. However, if you look at the Lexicon for this word in Matthew it also means a test. Jesus spent 40 days fasting. The devil tried to take advantage of Jesus’ weakened state. However, you will see that Jesus’ did not fall into temptation. Instead, Jesus used scripture to rebuke the devil.
πειρασθηναι verb – aorist passive middle or passive deponent
peirazo pi-rad’-zo: to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline — assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.
KJV Lexicon: https://biblehub.com/lexicon/matthew/4-1.htm
Understand the Meaning of the Word
It is very important to understand the original meaning of a word when you are studying the Bible. Until recently, I would use a Webster’s Dictionary to look up certain words. However, if you look up the actual Biblical definition, you will see that, at times, they do not match the Webster’s Dictionary. We must understand the words in the Bible in the way they were actually intended. When you are studying the Bible, it is always good to have a Lexicon available. They are offered online for free or you can purchase them yourself.
So, Was Jesus Tempted?
However, the purpose of this post is not to discuss translation Bibles but the fact that Jesus did not succumb to temptation. Was Jesus tempted? Yes, He was tempted, however, He did not fall into temptation. He was tested! He recited scripture to the devil and rebuked him.
You will find that you are tempted in the same way. It doesn’t mean that you are falling for it, you can rebuke the devil in the same way. Know the Word and say the Word back to the devil. Say the word out loud to yourself when your own flesh is tempting you. With the word of God in your heart, you do not have to succumb to this temptation.
Resources
Here is an online Lexicon site: https://biblehub.com/lexicon
Here is a link to the Strong’s Concordance if you’d like a physical book: https://amzn.to/2vNXQdK
Here is a link to Vine’s Bible Dictionary: https://amzn.to/2L6eiLe