Jesus' Temptation and the Start of His Ministry

After his baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, and then he began his public ministry.

Jesus' Temptation and the Start of His Ministry

Luke 4:1-13

1. And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
2. Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
3. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
4. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
5. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
7. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
8. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
9. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
10. For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
11. And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
12. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
13. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

Back to Index

In the dark of night, a solitary figure, resembling Jesus, is shown praying amidst a desert landscape under a breathtaking starlit sky, demonstrating his reliance on God during his temptation. This focuses on Jesus' prayer and reliance on God as he confronts temptation, emphasizing the importance of faith.

A weathered wooden staff, leaning against a rock, possibly used by Jesus during his journey in the desert. The staff is marked with signs of use and wear, suggesting hardship but also resilience and determination. This suggests the journey Jesus endured, representing his resilience, faith, and determination in the face of hardship.

A simple earthenware bowl, cracked and chipped, possibly used by Jesus during his time in the wilderness. The bowl is filled with a small amount of water, illustrating the scarcity and hardships of the desert environment. This depicts the scarcity and challenges of the desert environment, mirroring the spiritual trials Jesus faced during his temptation.

Macro closeup of a weathered, cracked stone, suggesting the harshness of the desert where Jesus was tempted. A single, withered plant struggles for life in a crevice, symbolizing spiritual resilience against temptation. Dust motes dance in a beam of light. This macro closeup focuses on the physical hardships of the desert, mirroring the spiritual struggle against temptation. The withered plant symbolizes spiritual resilience.

Macro closeup of a worn leather scroll with faded Hebrew text, detailing a passage from the Old Testament, representing the scriptures Jesus used to resist Satan's temptations. Fragments of broken pottery surround it, symbolizing the fragility of earthly possessions. This closeup emphasizes the importance of scripture in resisting temptation, as seen in <a href=

Luke 4:4 . The broken pottery represents the rejection of earthly distractions.' />

Bright morning sunlight bathes a desert landscape. Wild olive trees dot the scene. A lone figure, resembling Jesus, stands silhouetted against the rising sun, implying his struggle against temptation. This image emphasizes the contrast between the bright, hopeful sunrise and the harshness of the desert, mirroring the spiritual battle between good and evil.

A vibrant sunrise paints the sky in oranges and yellows, illuminating a rocky outcrop where a small, flowering plant pushes through a crack in the rock. This symbolizes the strength of faith overcoming adversity. A gentle breeze rustles nearby desert plants. This scene highlights the resilience of faith, like a small flower surviving in a harsh environment, echoing the theme of overcoming temptation.

Evening light casts long shadows across a desolate desert landscape, reflecting the spiritual darkness of temptation. A raven perches on a barren branch, symbolizing loneliness and despair. This emphasizes the spiritual darkness of temptation with the setting sun and the symbolism of the raven representing despair.

As the sun sets, casting a warm golden glow, a solitary figure, resembling Jesus, sits amidst the rocks and sand, facing the desert landscape, symbolizing a moment of quiet contemplation and spiritual wrestling. This depicts a moment of quiet contemplation, illustrating Jesus' spiritual struggle and reliance on God in the face of temptation.

A group of people, dressed in simple, first-century attire, gather around Jesus, listening intently as he teaches in the morning. The faces of the crowd reflect curiosity and eagerness, showing the impact of his powerful words. This shows Jesus' public ministry, the impact of his teachings, as described in <a href=

Luke 4:14-15 .' /> A small group of people, some showing signs of illness or poverty, await healing from Jesus in the morning sun. The warm light creates a scene of hope and expectation, symbolizing the compassion and healing power of Jesus' ministry. This displays Jesus' compassion and healing, reflecting the start of his public ministry and his focus on helping those in need.

A small group of people, some showing signs of illness or poverty, await healing from Jesus in the morning sun. The warm light creates a scene of hope and expectation, symbolizing the compassion and healing power of Jesus' ministry. This displays Jesus' compassion and healing, reflecting the start of his public ministry and his focus on helping those in need.

Under a starlit sky, a group of people huddle around a small fire in the wilderness, illuminated by a flickering flame. They are listening to Jesus speak, their faces lit by the firelight and stars, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of the night. This symbolizes the spiritual dimension of Jesus' ministry, his teachings providing hope and comfort during the night.

overlayed with the bible verse 1. And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

NOTE: The images reflect the following descriptions related to the theme : Jesus' Temptation and the Start of His Ministry

Macro closeup of a weathered, cracked stone, suggesting the harshness of the desert where Jesus was tempted. A single, withered plant struggles for life in a crevice, symbolizing spiritual resilience against temptation. Dust motes dance in a beam of light.
Macro closeup of a worn leather scroll with faded Hebrew text, detailing a passage from the Old Testament, representing the scriptures Jesus used to resist Satan's temptations. Fragments of broken pottery surround it, symbolizing the fragility of earthly possessions.
Bright morning sunlight bathes a desert landscape. Wild olive trees dot the scene. A lone figure, resembling Jesus, stands silhouetted against the rising sun, implying his struggle against temptation.
A vibrant sunrise paints the sky in oranges and yellows, illuminating a rocky outcrop where a small, flowering plant pushes through a crack in the rock. This symbolizes the strength of faith overcoming adversity. A gentle breeze rustles nearby desert plants.
Evening light casts long shadows across a desolate desert landscape, reflecting the spiritual darkness of temptation. A raven perches on a barren branch, symbolizing loneliness and despair.
As the sun sets, casting a warm golden glow, a solitary figure, resembling Jesus, sits amidst the rocks and sand, facing the desert landscape, symbolizing a moment of quiet contemplation and spiritual wrestling.
A group of people, dressed in simple, first-century attire, gather around Jesus, listening intently as he teaches in the morning. The faces of the crowd reflect curiosity and eagerness, showing the impact of his powerful words.
A small group of people, some showing signs of illness or poverty, await healing from Jesus in the morning sun. The warm light creates a scene of hope and expectation, symbolizing the compassion and healing power of Jesus' ministry.
Under a starlit sky, a group of people huddle around a small fire in the wilderness, illuminated by a flickering flame. They are listening to Jesus speak, their faces lit by the firelight and stars, emphasizing the spiritual dimension of the night.
In the dark of night, a solitary figure, resembling Jesus, is shown praying amidst a desert landscape under a breathtaking starlit sky, demonstrating his reliance on God during his temptation.
A weathered wooden staff, leaning against a rock, possibly used by Jesus during his journey in the desert. The staff is marked with signs of use and wear, suggesting hardship but also resilience and determination.
A simple earthenware bowl, cracked and chipped, possibly used by Jesus during his time in the wilderness. The bowl is filled with a small amount of water, illustrating the scarcity and hardships of the desert environment.

General themes for this chapter of the Bible: Jesus Tempts in the Desert; Jesus Begins His Ministry; The Rejection at Nazareth

A link to this resource is much appreciated to let others know about this free christian resource. The AB Church in LAusanne-Renens is happy to make the image collection available for free.

Other Galleries for this theme / Bible book

Birth Announcements: John the Baptist, Jesus, and Luke's Gospel
Calling of Disciples and Sermon on the Plain
Feeding the 5000 and the Transfiguration: Miracles of Abundance and Glory
Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant: Faith Without Borders
Jesus' Temptation and the Start of His Ministry
John the Baptist's Ministry and Jesus' Baptism
Parables of the Kingdom: The Mustard Seed
Parables of the Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son
Parables on Prayer and the Rich Ruler
Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus
Repentance and the Kingdom of God: A Luke's Gospel Perspective
Sending of the Seventy-Two and the Good Samaritan
Teachings in the Temple: A Master's Wisdom
Teachings on Prayer and Hypocrisy
The Rich Man and Lazarus: A Parable of Wealth and Poverty
Luke's Warnings and Encouragement: Repentance and Faith
Zacchaeus and Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jericho

Related Nature Images With Bible Verses

Visit other nature images in Gospel of Luke 4