Bridging the Testaments – The Fulfilment of Old Testament Scripture in Matthew 4:10
Matthew 4:10 (NKJV):
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’’
Where It Took Place
This verse takes place during Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, after His baptism and before His public ministry (circa AD 27). Jesus had fasted for 40 days and nights, and Satan tempted Him three times. The third temptation, addressed here, involved the offer of worldly power and authority in exchange for worshipping Satan. Jesus responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, affirming His allegiance to God alone. This event occurs in a desert setting, with only Jesus and Satan present, representing a cosmic battle between good and evil.
Deuteronomy 6:13:
“You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.”
This verse, spoken by Moses to the Israelites around the 15th century BC, is part of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), a central declaration of Israel’s faith. Moses instructed the Israelites to fear and serve only the Lord, warning them not to worship other gods. The audience was the generation preparing to enter the Promised Land, needing to commit fully to God’s covenant.
Exodus 20:3:
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”
This verse is part of the Ten Commandments, delivered by Moses on Mount Sinai around the 15th century BC. It forms the foundation of Israel’s monotheistic faith, commanding exclusive worship of the one true God. The audience was the Israelites, newly delivered from Egypt and learning to live as God’s covenant people.
Key Keywords
Worship (Proskuneó): This refers to reverence, adoration, and devotion directed exclusively toward God. It implies both internal submission and external acts of honouring God.
Serve (Latreuó): This denotes obedience, loyalty, and service, often associated with priestly duties but applied broadly to the life of devotion to God. To serve God means to commit one’s life to His will and purpose.
Temptation: The context of Jesus’ response emphasises the spiritual battle between the worship of God and the lure of worldly power and idolatry.
Old Testament Scriptures
Deuteronomy 6:13:
This commandment to worship and serve God alone reflects Israel’s monotheistic faith and covenant with God. Jesus’ quotation of this verse highlights the continuity of His mission with Israel’s calling. By rejecting Satan’s offer of worldly power, Jesus affirms His complete loyalty to God and sets an example of resisting idolatry.
Exodus 20:3:
As the first commandment, this verse encapsulates the essence of Israel’s relationship with God: exclusive worship. Jesus’ response to Satan echoes this foundational commandment, reinforcing that no temptation, even the offer of worldly authority, can compromise true worship and service to God.
Joshua 24:14-15:
“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth… choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”
Joshua’s exhortation to the Israelites to choose whom they will serve resonates with Jesus’ rejection of Satan. Joshua called the people to forsake idolatry and serve the Lord alone, a theme Jesus emphasise in His unwavering commitment to God.
How Matthew 4:10 Reflects and Fulfils Old Testament Scriptures
In Matthew 4:10, Jesus fulfils the spirit of Deuteronomy 6:13 and Exodus 20:3 by rejecting Satan’s temptation to worship anyone other than God. By quoting the Old Testament, Jesus aligns Himself with Israel’s covenant and laws, showing that His mission is rooted in the worship and service of God alone.
In the wilderness, Jesus faces temptations similar to those that Israel encountered during their time in the desert. While Israel often failed and turned to idolatry (as in the case of the golden calf in Exodus 32), Jesus remains steadfast. He embodies perfect obedience to the First Commandment, fulfilling the expectation that Israel could not. This fulfilment reveals that Jesus is the faithful Israelite, the true Son of God, who succeeds where the nation failed.
Moreover, Joshua 24:14-15 reflects a pivotal moment of decision for Israel, similar to the decision Jesus makes in the wilderness. By choosing to serve God alone, Jesus demonstrates the kind of faithfulness and devotion that is expected of all believers. His refusal to worship Satan mirrors the call to choose God over the allure of false gods and worldly gain.
Scholars often view Matthew 4:10 as a key moment in the unfolding of Jesus’ identity as the obedient Son of God. The temptation narrative in Matthew highlights Jesus’ role as the new Israel and the new Adam. Where Adam failed by succumbing to Satan’s temptation in the Garden of Eden, Jesus succeeds by rejecting Satan in the wilderness.
The phrase “It is written” that Jesus uses points to the *authority of Scripture in guiding the believer’s response to temptation. By quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, Jesus shows the eternal relevance of the Old Testament commandments in the Christian life, particularly the call to exclusive worship of God.
Scholars also note the political undertones of Satan’s temptation. By offering Jesus the kingdoms of the world, Satan presents a shortcut to power and influence, bypassing the suffering and servanthood that Jesus’ mission would entail. Jesus’ refusal demonstrates that true authority comes through obedience to God, not through worldly domination.
Meaning of Keywords
- “Worship” (Greek: προσκυνέω – proskuneó): This word implies a deep reverence and adoration directed toward God, including both outward acts (such as bowing or kneeling) and inward devotion. In the context of Matthew 4:10, it means giving one’s whole heart and allegiance to God alone.
- “Serve” (Greek: λατρεύω – latreuó): This term connotes serving God in a priestly or devoted manner. It suggests that true service to God is all-encompassing, encompassing all aspects of life, and cannot be divided between God and anything else.
- “Away with you, Satan!” (Greek: ὕπαγε, Σατανᾶ – Hypage, Satana): Jesus’ command for Satan to leave is both an assertion of authority and a declaration of rejection of all forms of idolatry and compromise.
Application for Today’s Christians
For modern Christians, Matthew 4:10 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of worshipping and serving God alone, even when faced with the temptation of power, wealth, or worldly success. The verse challenges believers to examine their own lives for areas where they may be tempted to compromise their devotion to God in pursuit of personal gain or comfort.
Practical applications include:
- Resisting Idolatry: Christians are called to resist modern forms of idolatry, whether that be materialism, fame, or power. Jesus’ example of rejecting Satan’s offer invites believers to prioritise their relationship with God above all else.
- Spiritual Warfare: Jesus’ confrontation with Satan underscores the reality of spiritual warfare. Christians are encouraged to be vigilant, using Scripture as their weapon against temptation, just as Jesus did.
- Total Devotion to God: The command to worship and serve God alone calls believers to undivided loyalty. In a world of competing allegiances, this verse reminds Christians that their ultimate commitment must be to God’s kingdom.
Conclusion
Matthew 4:10 serves as a defining moment in Jesus’ life, showing His complete allegiance to God and rejection of Satan’s temptations. By quoting Deuteronomy 6:13, Jesus connects His mission to Israel’s covenant faith, fulfilling the command to worship and serve God alone. His refusal to compromise reveals the heart of true discipleship: total devotion to God, even when faced with the promise of worldly power.
For today’s Christians, this verse offers a model of steadfastness in the face of temptation and a call to live lives of worship and service to God. By following Jesus’ example, believers can resist the allure of false gods and remain faithful to their Creator, reflecting the worship that God desires from His people.
Notes: “I completed this task during one of my days of fasting to help me gain understanding with a clear mind and focus, free from the distraction of consuming food. Throughout the ages, wisdom has shown that it is better to rest the belly for the sake of concentrating the mind and body.”
“When the belly is empty, the body becomes the temple of God.” — Indian Proverb
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Author: Noel Christopher
*Authority of Scripture by RL Mayhue (https://tms.edu/)