“We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
What does it mean that Christ was tempted? (The verses state explicitly that Jesus was tempted.) By “tempted,” does it mean simply “tested”? I think it means the common usage, “lusts of the flesh excited by the prospect of sin.” I think that Christ, like us, had to deal with lusts (desires) and that those lusts were exercised by various trials (events) whether internal or external. In other words, the equation for sin was working in Jesus even though he always chose the right path when he had to make a moral choice. He still had to make a choice!
Now the same Greek word peirazo (or the different forms thereof) is translated both as “trial” and as “test.” The word is Strong’s #3985:
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Author: Kyle Tucker
Keywords: Tempted, Testing, Tempting, Temptation, Jesus tempted, Jesus temptation, Temptation to sin, Temptation in the wilderness, Like unto us, Jesus made like us, Nature of Christ, Nature of Jesus, Jesus' flesh
Bible reference(s): Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 6:13, Mark 1:13, Luke 4:3-13, Heb 4:15, Heb 2:17-18, James 1:14-15
Source: “From Trial To Action,” Shofar (Poncha Springs, Co.: Shofar Publications), Issue 4, pp. 133-6.
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