MT. of Temptation

Matt 4:1 (KJS) Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

The Mount of Temptation is just West of Jericho(seen in this photo) on top of the hill in background. Between Jericho and Jerusalem is a road known as the "Valley of the shadow of death." It can be walked in one day.

What seemed amazing to me when I saw Jericho and the Mount of Temptation just behind it was this. Jericho was, as is today, a beautiful and lush paradise of food and water. When Jesus wandered for 40 days at the top of the Mount, he could see Jericho and all it wonders below. It would be only a few minutes walk to come down to eat and drink.

Left: Winding road from Jericho to the top of the Mount of Temptation. In the valley of this mountain was the road used by the Levite Priests.They traveled this road when it was their turn to minister in the Temple. All Levite Priests lived in Jericho.

Left: This is known as the valley of the shadow of death. At the top of these mountains is where Jesus wandered for 40 days & nights as he fasted and prayed . This is also where Satin tried to tempt Jesus by showing him all the desires of this world. Jericho is just to the right and down the other side about two miles.

Matt 4:1 (KJS) Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. {tempt: or, try, or, put to trial, or, proof}
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

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