Temptation

Jesus began his public ministry when he was about thirty years of age (Luke 3:23). One of the most significant events in the life of Jesus took place immediately following his baptism, namely his being tempted by the devil. These are not the only temptations which occurred during that 40 day testing period, but they are the three which both Matthew (4:1-11) and Luke (4:1-13) record, and to which Mark (1:12-13) alludes. We must therefore conclude that these temptations are of significance to these writers, and thus to the gospel, and ultimately to us.