Matthew 4 | Devotional - Bible Reading and Prayer - One Chapter a Day

Matthew Chapter 4 | Best devotional materials, including: introduction, background, main content, Bible reading and prayer video, Scripture, and post-reading prayer to help you gain a deeper understanding of biblical truth.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to our One Chapter per day Bible reading time.

By God’s grace, today we will read Matthew chapter 4.

In this chapter, we see Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasted forty days and was tempted by the devil. Yet, He overcame every temptation by standing firmly on God’s Word. Afterward, Jesus began His public ministry, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near,” and calling His first disciples to follow Him. This passage reminds us that God’s Word is our strength in temptation and that true discipleship means following Jesus wholeheartedly.

Let us listen with reverence and gratitude to God’s Word together. 

Matthew Chapter 4 Introduction:

Matthew chapter 4 presents a pivotal moment in Jesus’ early ministry. It records His temptation in the wilderness, the beginning of His public ministry in Galilee, the calling of His first disciples, and the early works of His teaching and healing. This chapter reveals Jesus’ spiritual authority, His victory over Satan, and His readiness to fulfill His divine mission as the Savior. It sets the stage for the unfolding of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

Main Content of Matthew Chapter 4:
The Temptation of Jesus (verses 1–11)
After being baptized, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasted for forty days and nights and was tempted by the devil. Each temptation tested a different aspect of His obedience and trust in God — physical need, spiritual pride, and earthly ambition. Jesus overcame every temptation by quoting Scripture, demonstrating that victory over sin and Satan comes through the Word of God. His triumph reveals His sinless nature and qualifies Him as the perfect Redeemer.

The Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry (verses 12–17)
When Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee and began His public ministry. Settling in Capernaum, He fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that light had dawned on those living in darkness. Jesus proclaimed the central message of His ministry: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This message marks the beginning of a new era of divine grace and salvation.

The Calling of the First Disciples (verses 18–22)
As Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, He called Simon Peter and Andrew, then James and John, to follow Him. They immediately left their nets and followed. Their response illustrates true discipleship—leaving behind worldly pursuits to follow Jesus in obedience and faith.

Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee (verses 23–25)
Matthew concludes this chapter by describing Jesus’ ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing throughout Galilee. Large crowds followed Him as His fame spread across the region. His works confirmed His divine authority and compassion, showing that the Kingdom of Heaven had truly come among the people.

Spiritual Significance of Matthew Chapter 4:
Matthew 4 teaches us that spiritual victory begins with obedience to God’s Word. Jesus’ resistance to temptation encourages us to rely on Scripture and the Holy Spirit in times of testing. His call to repentance reminds us that entering God’s Kingdom requires a transformed heart. His invitation to the disciples challenges us to follow Him wholeheartedly. Above all, this chapter reveals that Jesus is the true Light who overcomes darkness, bringing healing, hope, and life to all who follow Him.

Through Matthew chapter 4, we witness Jesus’ strength, wisdom, and compassion. As we reflect on His victory over temptation and His call to follow Him, may we learn to resist evil with God’s Word, walk in repentance, and become faithful disciples who share His light with the world.

Matthew Chapter 4 YouTube Bible Reading and Prayer Video:

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Jesus Begins to Preach

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:

15 

“Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
    the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan,
    Galilee of the Gentiles—

16 

the people living in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
    a light has dawned.”

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Heals the Sick

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.