Matthew 4:4

It is written (Deuteronomy 8:3), Man shall not live by bread alone.

The Lord uses the sword of the Spirit in his reply. The word quoted, found in Deuteronomy 8:3, should be used in its connection, in order to comprehend its force. It is addressed by Moses to the children of Israel, who hungered for bread in the wilderness, and assures them that man may live, not on bread alone, but on whatever the Word of God appoints. In that case God sent manna. So the Son of God in the wilderness need not live on bread alone, nor will he use his power to make bread of stones, but will trust the Father and live on whatever the Father provides. Notice that he does not assert that he is the Son, nor offer proof, but classes himself with men. Hunger is. human incident, and he, as man, shall not live by bread alone. The temptation was to distrust God's providence, under the pressure of want, on the plea that relief by other means might easily be had. The victory was to leave himself in the hands of God, and to declare. perfect trust in the means appointed by the Divine Word.