The Temptation of Christ and the Number 153

1. First Temptation (Turning Stones to Bread):
   • Satan’s Temptation: Satan challenges Jesus to turn stones into bread to prove His divinity and to satisfy His hunger after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights.
   • Jesus’ Response: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
     • This is a quotation from Deuteronomy 8:3. Jesus emphasizes the importance of spiritual nourishment over physical sustenance.
2. Second Temptation (Pinnacle of the Temple):
   • Satan’s Temptation: Satan takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the Temple in Jerusalem and challenges Him to throw Himself down, quoting Psalm 91:11-12 about God’s protection.
   • Jesus’ Response: “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
     • Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:16, stressing the principle that one should not test God’s faithfulness or demand miraculous signs as proof of His care.
3. Third Temptation (Kingdoms of the World):
   • Satan’s Temptation: Satan shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and offers them to Him in exchange for worship.
   • Jesus’ Response: “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
     • This is taken from Deuteronomy 6:13. Jesus reaffirms the commandment to worship and serve only God.

In each instance, Jesus counters Satan’s temptations by citing Scripture, demonstrating His deep understanding of the Scriptures and His commitment to living in accordance with God’s will. This narrative also serves as an example of using Biblical truth to resist temptation.

Astoundingly, Jesus’ responses narrated in the two Gospels point to the number 153, as follows:

Verse	Jesus’ Response (NKJV)	Identifier
Matthew 4:4	But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”	40+4+4=48
Matthew 4:7	Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”	40+4+7=51
Matthew 4:10	Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”	40+4+10=54
		48+51+54=153

Verse	Jesus’ Response (NKJV)	Identifier
Luke 4:4	But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”	42+4+4=50
Luke 4:8	And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”	42+4+8=54
Luke 4:12	And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”	42+4+12=58
		50+54+58=162

Surprisingly, the two Gospels yield 153+162=315, the digits of which form a permutation of {1,5,3}.

Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:13, and 6:16:

Verse	New King James Version (NKJV)	Identifier
Deuteronomy 8:3	So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.	5+8+3=16
Deuteronomy 6:13	You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.	5+6+13=24
Deuteronomy 6:16	You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah.	5+6+16=27
		16+24+27=67

The sum of the identifiers is 153 + 162 + 67 = 382, which is the 306th composite number.

It is astounding that 306 = 153 + 153.

Conclusion: If one is unable to remember Scripture to resist Satan’s temptation, reciting the Lord’s Prayer is both effective and essential in countering such temptation.

Discussions

In the biblical narrative, Jesus’ encounter with Satan in the wilderness, as recounted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark¹ and Luke, is a profound demonstration of His mastery and deep understanding of Scripture. In this account, Jesus effectively counters Satan’s temptations by citing relevant passages from the Scriptures. This act is particularly noteworthy considering the context of His time.

During the era in which Jesus lived, literacy rates were generally low, and the ability to read and interpret Scripture was typically confined to a specific societal group, primarily the priests and scribes who served in the temple.² These religious leaders were not only literate but also extensively trained in the complexities of religious law and the Hebrew Scriptures. For the average person in the streets of Judea or Galilee, access to the Scriptures was limited, and the skill to read, much less memorize and interpret these texts, was rare. Hence, the ability to recall and accurately cite Scripture, as Jesus did, would have been an exceptional feat, highlighting His extraordinary knowledge and spiritual authority.

Even in contemporary times, memorizing and appropriately applying Scripture is a challenging task for many. The Bible, comprising a vast array of books, chapters, and verses, requires dedicated study and understanding to recall and apply its teachings effectively. This challenge underscores the significance of Jesus’ adept use of Scripture in His ministry and His teachings.

Recognizing the challenges his disciples and followers would face, Jesus provided them with tools to navigate spiritual challenges, including the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer, taught by Jesus as a model of prayer in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, encapsulates key elements of Christian faith and practice. It is a succinct and profound prayer that encompasses praise, submission to God’s will, requests for daily needs, forgiveness, and guidance away from temptation.

In teaching the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus provided a practical and accessible way for His followers to connect with God and seek divine assistance in overcoming temptation and living according to God’s will. It serves not only as a guide for prayer but also as a spiritual resource that believers can easily memorize and recall, especially in times of need or spiritual struggle. The Lord’s Prayer, therefore, stands as a testament to Jesus’ understanding of the human condition and His desire to equip His followers with the spiritual tools necessary for their journey of faith.

1. Mark’s account is very brief, merely noting the event. ↩︎
2. Were most early Christians illiterate? How, then, did they understand Christianity if they could not read the Bible? – Evidence for Christianity ↩︎