Matthew 4:3
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Cross-references
In Matthew 3:17, God declares Jesus as His beloved Son — the very identity Satan challenges here with 'if you are the Son of God.'
In Matthew 27:40, mockers repeat the challenge 'If you are the Son of God' — echoing the tempter's test on the cross.
In Matthew 8:29, demons also address Jesus as 'Son of God' — a parallel recognition of his identity from adversarial beings.
1 Thessalonians 3:5 uses the same title 'the tempter'—the one who tempted Jesus now threatens the Thessalonians.
Hebrews 12:16 warns against being like Esau, who sold his birthright for a meal — Jesus faces the same choice but does not sell his sonship.
Luke 22:31 reveals Satan's demand to sift Peter—the same tempter who here challenges Jesus.
Luke 4:3 is the parallel account of the same temptation — Satan uses the identical phrase, 'If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.'
Revelation 2:10 warns of the devil testing believers—the same adversary who tested Jesus in the wilderness.
In Psalm 78:17-20, Israel tests God by demanding bread — Jesus is tempted to test God's provision but refuses, reversing their rebellion.
Job 2:4-7 shows Satan escalating to physical affliction—a similar testing pattern as Jesus' hunger temptation.
In Job 1:9-12, Satan challenges Job's motives just as he tests Jesus' identity here—both involve satanic testing of the faithful.
In Genesis 3:1-5, the serpent questions God's word and identity — Satan here questions Jesus' divine sonship, echoing the same temptor's strategy.
In Exodus 16:3, Israel grumbles for bread in the wilderness, doubting God — Jesus faces hunger but trusts God instead of complaining.
In Genesis 25:29-34, Esau sells his birthright for bread — a stark contrast to Jesus, who refuses to trade his sonship for food.
In 1 Chronicles 21:1, Satan incites David to sin — the same adversary appears here, now tempting Jesus directly.
In James 4:7, the command to resist the devil is lived out by Jesus here — a direct application of the principle.
Revelation 12:9-10 identifies Satan as the deceiver and accuser—the same figure who tempts Jesus here.
In John 1:34, John the Baptist testifies Jesus is the Son of God — a divine declaration opposing the tempter's 'if you are'.
In Luke 4:9, Satan again uses 'If you are the Son of God' to tempt Jesus — the same challenge phrase reappears in a different test.
In Mark 3:11, unclean spirits cry out 'You are the Son of God!' — a direct affirmation contrasting with the tempter's conditional doubt.
In Revelation 2:18, Jesus calls Himself the Son of God — a powerful affirmation contrasting with the challenge to prove it.
In Numbers 11:4-6, Israel craves food and despises manna — a parallel wilderness test where they failed, unlike Jesus here.