Devil to Jesus: Throw Yourself Down

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Crumpy

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Mt 4:5

the devil says, if you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.

St. Jerome points out (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, Matthew Part 1) that the devil wants all of us to sin, i.e., to throw ourselves down.

That the devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the Temple, suggests to the Fathers that the devil was symbolically telling Jesus to “get off and get over” the law and the prophets.
 
I’m not sure if you have a question or are inviting comment, but here goes. I have heard this explained that the temptation was to perform a spectacular public miracle which would negate the need for Jesus perform His ministry and sacrifice Himself. Having angels catch you in front of the temple would surely cause people to accept your message. But, this was contrary to God’s plan. Like Abraham and Hagar, Abraham tried to short cut God’s plan and brought turmoil to his family.
 
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