Bible Strands
Matthew 4:11
Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — This narrative statement follows Jesus’ direct command to Satan in the wilderness and marks the immediate conclusion of the temptation sequence. It occurs before Jesus hears of John’s imprisonment and withdraws to Galilee.
The words — The text hinges on τότε (tote), meaning “Then,” which signals the immediate temporal sequence, and ἄγγελοι (angeloi), literally “angels,” who arrive after the departure.
The thread — Angelic attendance to Jesus appears in Luke 22:43, where an angel strengthens Him, and Hebrews 1:14, which defines angels as ministering spirits sent to believers. Matthew 26:53 is cited only to note Jesus’ authority to summon angels, not post-conflict ministry.
Why it lands — The passage records that spiritual opposition ceases and divine provision follows, without commentary on the angels’ actions. It requires the reader to accept the text’s plain sequence: temptation ends, and God’s messengers arrive.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Cross-references
- Matthew 26:53 Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
- Luke 22:43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.
- Hebrews 1:14 Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
- Luke 4:13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
- Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands.
- Matthew 4:6 “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.’”
- Matthew 28:2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it.
- Luke 22:53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on Me. But this hour belongs to you and to the power of darkness.”
- Hebrews 1:6 And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”
- Mark 1:13 and He was there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered to Him.