Matthew 4:1-11 (KJV) describes Jesus being led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the Devil in three ways:
4:3 - "And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."
4:5-6 - "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, [sup]6[/sup]And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."
4:8-9 - "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; [sup]9[/sup]And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me."
If this is parable then what are the possible interpretations of it?
If this is to be taken literally, that Jesus did fast for 40 days and nights then was tempted by the devil in three ways, then why didn't Jesus/God do anything to the Devil at this time besides a stern reprimand not to tempt the Creator? This begs a greater question of why doesn't Yahweh deal with the devil at any point in time if he has the power but lets stick to this specific instance of contact between the two.
Also on the side what is the meaning of 4:11?
4:11 - "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."
Did Jesus succumb to the Devil's second temptation of calling upon angels to care for him after the Devil has left? Whether parable or literal this verse calls for attention and reflection.
4:3 - "And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."
4:5-6 - "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, [sup]6[/sup]And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."
4:8-9 - "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; [sup]9[/sup]And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me."
If this is parable then what are the possible interpretations of it?
If this is to be taken literally, that Jesus did fast for 40 days and nights then was tempted by the devil in three ways, then why didn't Jesus/God do anything to the Devil at this time besides a stern reprimand not to tempt the Creator? This begs a greater question of why doesn't Yahweh deal with the devil at any point in time if he has the power but lets stick to this specific instance of contact between the two.
Also on the side what is the meaning of 4:11?
4:11 - "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."
Did Jesus succumb to the Devil's second temptation of calling upon angels to care for him after the Devil has left? Whether parable or literal this verse calls for attention and reflection.