Temptation in Wilderness
Wilderness temptation tests faith and endurance across scripture.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
The motif of temptation in the wilderness appears across both the Old and New Testaments, often as a period of testing or proving by God or by the devil. In Deuteronomy, the wilderness journey of Israel is described as a time when the Lord led them to humble and prove them, to know what was in their hearts (Deuteronomy 8:2). The New Testament recounts Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, after which angels ministered to him (Matthew 4:11); Luke 4:13 notes that the devil departed from him for a season, but does not mention the angels.
Lore & Background
In the Old Testament, the wilderness temptation is primarily associated with Israel's forty-year journey. The Lord led them through the wilderness to humble them and test whether they would keep his commandments (Deuteronomy 8:2). This period is also called 'the day of Massah in the wilderness,' where the people are warned not to harden their hearts as their ancestors did (Psalm 95:8; Hebrews 3:8). The great temptations, signs, and wonders that Israel witnessed in Egypt and the wilderness are repeatedly cited as evidence of God's mighty hand (Deuteronomy 4:34; 7:19; 29:3). In the New Testament, Jesus' temptation in the wilderness is a direct parallel. After forty days, the devil tempted him, and after the devil left, angels ministered to him (Matthew 4:11); Luke 4:13 records only the devil's departure. Jesus later refers to his own temptations, saying his disciples have continued with him in his temptations (Luke 22:28). The wilderness temptation motif also extends to believers, who are warned to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; Luke 22:40, 46). The Book of Mormon echoes this theme, stating that Christ would go forth suffering pains, afflictions, and temptations of every kind (Alma 7:11). This connects the wilderness temptation of Israel and Jesus to the broader idea that temptation is a common human experience, but God provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray temptation in the wilderness as a divinely permitted test of faithfulness. In Deuteronomy, the wilderness is where God humbled and proved Israel, revealing what was in their hearts (Deuteronomy 8:2). The same language of 'temptation' is used for God's mighty acts in Egypt, which were great temptations or trials for the nations (Deuteronomy 4:34; 7:19; 29:3). The Psalms and Hebrews warn against hardening hearts as in the day of temptation in the wilderness (Psalms 95:8; Hebrews 3:8). In the Gospels, Jesus' wilderness temptation is a direct encounter with the devil, after which angels ministered to him (Matthew 4:11; Luke 4:13). Jesus instructs his disciples to pray not to enter into temptation (Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4; 22:40, 46), acknowledging human weakness (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38). The Epistles teach that temptation is common to all, but God limits it and provides escape (1 Corinthians 10:13), and that enduring temptation brings blessing (James 1:12). The Book of Mormon affirms that Christ experienced all temptations (Book of Mormon 7:5).
Did You Know?
- The wilderness temptation of Israel lasted forty years, while Jesus' temptation lasted forty days (Deuteronomy 8:2; Matthew 4:11).
- Angels ministered to Jesus after the devil left him in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11).
- The phrase 'day of Massah in the wilderness' appears in Psalm 95:8, where 'Massah' means testing or temptation; Hebrews 3:8 echoes this.
- Jesus said his disciples had continued with him in his temptations (Luke 22:28).