the 2nd temptation of jesus?

Question

for new testament class, i have to write a few pages on a passage i don't understand and i chose Matthew 4:5-7. i have questions that i need answers for so i can write my essay. here they are, please answer to the best of your ability =]

Verse 5:
1. Which city is the "holy city" referred to here?/ 2. What is the name of the temple that is referred to here?

Verse 6:
1. What does the devil mean by "throw yourself down"?/ 2. What does the quotes from Psalm 91:11-16 mean, and why does the devil use it in this situation?

other questions:
1. Why does God not want us to put him to the test, and what are some scriputure verses (from both the old& new testament) that back this up?/ 2. Why was the devil trying to get Jesus to test the Lord?/ 3. Why did the devil continue tempting Jesus? Did the devil not know that Jesus wouldn't fall into sin?

thank you for your answers! =]

Answer 1

1. Which city is the "holy city" referred to here?/ 2. What is the name of the temple that is referred to here?

Jerusalem - The Temple in Jerusalem (it is the only Temple in Israel, all others were synagogues).

1. What does the devil mean by "throw yourself down"?/ 2. What does the quotes from Psalm 91:11-16 mean, and why does the devil use it in this situation?

Jump off the top of the temple.

Psalm 91 is where God promises to protect us. This is a lesson where Satan will often distort God's word to us for his own ungodly gain.

1. Why does God not want us to put him to the test, and what are some scripture verses (from both the old& new testament) that back this up? see below

2. Why was the devil trying to get Jesus to test the Lord? - He was trying to get Jesus to sin. If Jesus had sinned, then Satan would have won the struggle between God and Satan's agenda (to keep man separated from God).

3. Why did the devil continue tempting Jesus? - because the balance of eternity was hanging in the balance. Satan realized who Jesus was and knew the authority that Jesus had. By getting Jesus to surrender His authority (like Adam did when Adam sinned), Satan would have won.

Did the devil not know that Jesus wouldn't fall into sin? - Satan does not know everything. The Epistles say that if Satan had known what was going to happen as a result of killing Jesus, he would not have done so.

1Cr 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.