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Matthew 4:5; Luke 4:9 – Was the Second Temptation Just A Vision?
How did they go from the wilderness to the top of the temple, and then later to a very high mountain? My answer is that Satan actually takes Jesus to Jerusalem which is what the text says, minus the word “actually.”
Matthew 4.5 (HCSB) Then the Devil took Him to the holy city, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,
Luke 4.9 (HCSB) So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
Those more learned than I argue that this taking of Jesus to Jerusalem is most likely just a vision. In my naiveté, I did not know that it is objected to and argued by scholars as to whether Satan literally and physically took Jesus to the Jerusalem temple. Reasons are varied such as if this literally happens then Satan controls the very body of Jesus which is unthinkable to them. And yet if this didn’t happen, then Satan controls the very mind of Jesus – and I ask which is worse? I find Jesus allowing Satan to control His physical body no more humiliating than Jesus allowing Satan to tempt Him. Plus if this is just a vision, isn’t Satan making Jesus think it is real? Wouldn’t Jesus then be guilty of believing a lie? Let’s get real, if Jesus doesn’t think any of this is real, then where is the temptation? Sometimes I think seminary is the cemetery for simple faith.
Stop and go back to the first explanation, that Satan literally changes Jesus’ location from the wilderness to Jerusalem. Jesus is also allowing Satan to manipulate His own body, moving Him at will. Jesus, in other words, totally submits Himself to the whims of Satan. This will not be the last time that Satan has his way with Jesus’ body.
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