What Does Matthew 4:5-6 Mean?
Matthew 4:5-6 describes the devil taking Jesus to the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem and challenging Him to jump, claiming God’s angels would save Him. He twists Scripture, quoting Psalm 91:11-12 to make it seem like God promises safety if Jesus puts Him to the test. But Jesus refuses to play games with God’s promises, quoting Deuteronomy 6:16: 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'
Matthew 4:5-6
Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple. and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”
Key Facts
Book
Author
Matthew
Genre
Gospel
Date
circa 80-90 AD
Key Takeaways
- God's promises are for trust, not for testing.
- Scripture can be twisted to justify reckless faith.
- Jesus models obedience without demanding proof from God.
The Temple Test: A Dangerous Challenge in Jerusalem
Right after resisting the temptation to turn stones into bread, Jesus faces a second test - this time in the heart of Jerusalem’s temple.
The devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle, likely the southeast corner of the Royal Portico, a towering structure overlooking the city that made the height both dramatic and symbolic. He dares Jesus to jump, twisting Psalm 91:11-12 - 'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways; on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone' - to suggest God would rescue Him from a reckless act. But Jesus sees through the trap: quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, He responds, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test,' refusing to use divine promise as a prop for a spectacle.
This moment sets up the final temptation, showing that even Scripture can be misused when stripped of trust and context.
Twisting Promises: When Scripture Is Used to Justify Presumption
When it seems Scripture supports the devil’s challenge, Jesus reveals a deeper truth: even God’s promises can be misused if trust and context are missing.
Satan quotes Psalm 91:11-12 exactly - 'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways; on their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone' - but leaves out the setting: those promises are for those who walk in God’s ways, not those who leap into danger to force His hand. In Jewish thought, the temple was the place of God’s presence, where honor and reverence ruled - yet here, the devil turns it into a stage for spectacle, violating the very holiness it represents. The title 'Son of God' isn’t merely theological. It carried weight in a culture obsessed with honor and identity, and the devil twists it into a demand for proof rather than a call to obedience. This wasn’t about safety - it was about turning divine sonship into a public stunt.
Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:16 - 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test' - a command rooted in Israel’s failure at Massah, where they demanded water and doubted God’s presence. That moment became a warning for generations: trust isn’t proven by forcing God’s hand, but by walking faithfully through uncertainty. The Greek word *peirazō*, used for 'tempt' or 'test,' appears in both Matthew 4:3 and 4:7, showing a key distinction - Jesus resists being tested by Satan, but also refuses to test God, honoring the boundary between faith and presumption.
Satan quotes Psalm 91 to make faith look like a stunt, but Jesus knows God’s protection is for trust, not testing.
This contrast sets the stage for the final temptation, where Satan offers both safety and sovereignty - power over all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus’ refusal here prepares us for His ultimate rejection of shortcuts to the cross.
Trusting God Without Testing Him
This story shows that real faith means trusting God without demanding proof.
Matthew highlights this moment to show Jesus as the faithful Son who honors God’s will, unlike Israel in the wilderness who constantly doubted and tested God. The lesson is clear: God’s promises are for trust, not for forcing His hand to perform on demand.
That timeless truth still applies today - faith grows in daily obedience, not in dramatic stunts to see if God will catch us.
Jesus in the Wilderness: The Faithful Son Who Passes Where Israel Failed
This moment with Jesus on the temple pinnacle is more than a personal test - it’s a replay of Israel’s failure, now being set right by the only one who can correct it.
Back in Exodus 17:7, Israel tested God at Massah, demanding water and doubting His presence, which is exactly what Jesus refuses to do when quoting Deuteronomy 6:16 - 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.' That command was born from Israel’s unbelief, but Jesus, led by the Spirit into the same kind of wilderness, faces hunger, danger, and doubt - and yet trusts completely.
Where Israel doubted and tested God in the wilderness, Jesus trusts and obeys - fulfilling the calling of God’s true Son.
In this obedience, Jesus becomes the true Son of God who does what Israel could not: He walks in perfect faith, setting the stage for His later journey to the cross, where trust replaces testing once and for all.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
Imagine you're going through a tough season - maybe you're struggling with anxiety, facing a big decision, or wondering if God even sees your pain. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking, 'If God really loves me, He'll fix this right now - or prove He's here by giving me a sign.' That's exactly the kind of pressure the devil put on Jesus: 'Jump! Make God rescue you! Force His hand!' But Jesus didn't cave. He knew that real faith isn't about dramatic demands - it's about quiet trust, even when the answer isn't immediate. When we stop trying to test God and start trusting His promises in the everyday moments - like choosing peace over panic, or obedience over shortcuts - we begin to live the way Jesus did: grounded, faithful, and free from the need to prove anything.
Personal Reflection
- Where in my life am I demanding proof from God instead of walking in trust?
- Have I ever used Scripture to justify a selfish or reckless decision, like the devil did?
- What's one area where I need to stop testing God and start obeying Him, even without guarantees?
A Challenge For You
This week, when you feel the urge to 'test' God - by doubting His care, demanding signs, or making ultimatums - pause and speak truth instead. Open your Bible and read Deuteronomy 6:16 or Psalm 91 in full, reminding yourself that God’s promises are for protection in His path, not permission to jump off cliffs. Choose one moment of anxiety or uncertainty to respond with trust, not demands.
A Prayer of Response
God, I admit I sometimes try to test You, wanting You to prove You're here or that You care. Forgive me for demanding signs instead of trusting Your Word. Help me follow Jesus’ example - trusting You even when I don't have all the answers. Give me faith that doesn't need a spectacle, but rests in Your goodness. Thank You for being with me, even when I don't feel it.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Matthew 4:4
Jesus resists the first temptation, setting a pattern of responding with Scripture.
Matthew 4:7
Jesus rebukes Satan, refusing to test God - directly following the temple temptation.
Connections Across Scripture
Luke 4:12
Records the same event, emphasizing Jesus' consistent refusal to misuse divine protection.
James 4:7
Calls believers to resist the devil, echoing Jesus' victory through submission to God.
Hebrews 4:15
Affirms Jesus was tempted like us yet remained sinless, including in this moment.