Matthew 4:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The devil brings Jesus to Jerusalem and sets him on a high point of the temple for a second test.
What Does Matthew 4:5 Mean?
The scene shifts from the lonely desert to the "holy city," Jerusalem, and to the temple itself -- the place where God's presence dwelt among his people. The pinnacle was a high point of that vast complex, a dizzying height above the courts below. The very holiness of the setting is part of the snare.
Temptation does not stay in obviously dark places; it follows us even into sacred ground. Here it comes not through hunger but through the sanctuary, twisting holy things toward an unholy end. That the tempter can stand with Jesus on the temple's height is a sober reminder that no location, however blessed, is beyond the reach of testing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 4:5
What does Matthew 4:5 mean?
The devil brings Jesus to Jerusalem and sets him on a high point of the temple for a second test.