Theological Reflections on the Temptation of Christ based on a comparative study between the Accounts of Matthew and Luke

Samuel Asare-Antwako ORCID iD & Isaac Boaheng ORCID iD

Issue: Vol.5  No.13 Issue Article 15 pp. 2206-2216
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451316 | Published online 17th October, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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This paper explored the theological implications of the temptation of Christ as depicted in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Through a comparative study of these accounts, the paper examined the nuanced differences and similarities. The paper conducted a textual analysis of key expressions in the text to arrive at a theological conclusion. The analysis examined the significance of Christ’s temptation in relation to his identity, mission, and the broader narrative of salvation history. The study revealed variations in the narrative placement and structure of the temptation accounts in both Mathew and Luke due to their different motifs. The study also revealed the crucial role of the Holy Spirit in the temptation accounts in both Matthew and Luke, with different nuances. Again, the study also revealed that the nuanced differences in the duration, the nature of the fast and the temptation contents in Matthew and Luke highlight various theological emphases and narrative strategies. By juxtaposing the perspectives presented in Matthew and Luke, this paper seeks to deepen understanding of the theological insights conveyed through the temptation narrative, highlighting its relevance for contemporary Christian reflection and spiritual formation. The paper concludes by asserting that the temptation accounts in Matthew and Luke emphasized the sovereignty and providence of God and the authority of scripture. It also stressed the interplay between pneumatology and human experience during temptation periods and placed Jesus ahead as the model for spiritual dependence on God.

Keywords: Temptation of Christ, Gospel of Matthew, Gospel of Luke, Theological Reflections                                                                                                                    

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Samuel Asare-Antwako, holds MDIV from Trinity Theological Seminary, Accra-Ghana. Currently, a  postgraduate MTH student in Trinity Theological Seminary, offering New Testament Studies.

Isaac Boaheng holds a PhD in Theology from the University of the Free State, South Africa. He is a Senior Lecturer in Theology and Christian Ethics at the Christian Service University, Ghana, and a Research Fellow at the Department of Biblical and Religion Studies, University of the Free State, South Africa.

Asare-Antwako, Samuel & Isaac Boaheng. “Theological Reflections on the Temptation of Christ based on a comparative study between the Accounts of Matthew and Luke,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.13 (2024): 2206-2216. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451316

© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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