Yesterday I mentioned the passage on the temptation of Christ. As I worked through Matthew 4:1-11 I was reminded again of the importance of doing parallel work in the Gospels. Several additional statements from Mark and Luke give further insights.
For instance, Matthew says Jesus was led of the Holy Spirit into the wilderness temptation. Mark is even stronger. He says Jesus was “driven” by the Holy Spirit. This gives us the definite impression that God Himself was behind the temptation experience. Think about all that might mean.
Also, Matthew says, after the temptation the devil left Jesus. That might give the impression there were no more encounters between Jesus and the devil. But, Luke adds that the devil left Jesus “for a season.” Changes your understanding, doesn’t it?
Be sure to check parallel passages when you are reading from the Gospels.