Angels & the Temptation of Jesus

QUESTION:

The verse I have a question on is Matthew 4:11. Satan left and the angels came. Here’s the question: Why did the angels wait to come until after Satan left?

ANSWER:

Matthew 4:9-11: "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."  Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

We notice in verse 11 that at the end of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness that angels came and helped Him.  We should notice two things about Jesus and the angels.  First, they came when He needed them and not before.  Jesus lived as 100% human being while on this earth.  He experienced life as you and I do and was tempted as you and I are (Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:15).  The angels were not there to get Him out of a jam, He had to get Himself out of those situations.  Otherwise, Jesus would not have really been perfect and the Cross would not have been possible.  Jesus’ death on the Cross only takes away our sin because He was sinless… on His own… without help.

Second, notice that Jesus in charge and they come at His bidding.  In Matthew 26:52-54, Jesus tells the disciples that He has legions (that is a whole lot!) of angels at His disposal.  The angels let Jesus do His thing and fulfill Scripture and did not prevent events or attend Him when not needed.  They followed His lead!

Troy Borst

Christian Education Minister

If you have a question about Scripture, please email me at troy.borst@newbeginningscctampa.org