The Commands of Christ - Matthew 4:4

“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”” –Matthew 4:4

Who is the command to?

Spoken to Satan, but it is a general command for all mankind, repeated from Deuteronomy 8:3

What does the command require?

To live, not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Jesus, no doubt hungry, avoids the temptation from Satan to turn rocks into bread to eat by acknowledging that mankind has spiritual hunger as well as physical hunger.

What truths do we learn through this command?

Physical food is important, but it is not the most important nourishment. “Since Jesus had received no instructions from the Father to turn stones into bread, He would not act on His own and thus obey Satan, no matter how intense His hunger.” – The Believer’s Bible Commentary

We have a spiritual ‘appetite.’ 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14; Psalm 119:103.

God is the source of our spiritual sustenance and His words are our spiritual sustenance. Job 23:12; Psalm 119:25, 40, 77, 81, 93, 116, 144, 175; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3;

God’s Words provide all that is necessary to live life. 

What are the consequences for not following this command?



And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? -1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Spiritual starvation; Spiritual immaturity; Death; no discernment in spiritual truths; wrong focus in life; no joy in life; damaged testimony; no spiritual power; no peace in life; we must struggle to meet our own needs; backsliding; no tools for ministry; lack of spiritual transformation; carnality; no defense in temptation; no transparency.