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Does the number of days that Jesus was tempted after he was baptized have some kind of relative meaning to every new christain? Why was it an even 40?

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God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble

There are probably dozens of guys and gals here that could answer this conclusively.

My *guess* is that it may be symbolic. "Days" or numbers in the Bible, as well as some other ancient writings, often repeat in patterns. Why 40? Some prophecy I am unaware of? I don't know....
If I'm off here I'm sure someone will correct me.
Glad to see you back!
S

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB

Guts:

Jesus' forty-day fast is likely modeled after those of Moses and Elijah. The forty days also recalls the forty-day period of the spies in searching out the land, which was an (unfortunately unsucessful) test of the Israelties in the desert.

That is interesting. It gives me something to go on. I'm going to read on the forty day spying thing. Thanks.

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God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble

I believe another interesting fact, At least I have heard it mentioned, is the human body can only go without water for 3 days, hence I like the term in the bible "the living water", but for nourishment in this case of food as in fasting for 40 days. This is what they say a human can endure. Also there is a slight difference in the details in the Gospels concerning the 40 days. It would appear Jesus fasted and being tempted concurrently, any thoughts

Matt 4:1-2 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he fasted forty days and forty nights he was famished. Context (NET)

Mark 1:12-13 12 The Spirit immediately drove him into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, enduring temptations from Satan. He was with wild animals, and angels were ministering to his needs. Context (NET)

Luke 4:1-2 1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he endured temptations from the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, he was famished. Context (NET)

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Kola,

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Flood? 40 days and 40 nights
Eating quail - sustain you for 40 days - I believe that was Elijah
Judah - punishment for 40 years - Jeremiah
Ascension - from Christ resurrection to His ascending to heaven - 40 days

God is Good...

Ahhhh! It makes me wonder about the number 40.

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God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble

Kolabok,
My thought on this, is he may new what was coming so he was fasting to overcome the temptation. I never really thought about it this way, but you opened my eyes. It makes me think that I need a good fast to overcome some of the things in my life. It really shows the importance of fasting. I thank you very much.

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God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble

Yes, why do you think women spend so many years at 39 trying to avoid 40? It seems to be associated with punishment, temptation, and hard times.

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Cobra (the car, not the poisonous reptile)
all scripture is NRSV unless otherwise noted

40 days going without food Missing one day is about all I can take. So much for survior man

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Kola,

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Dear guts5460

The Israelites were 40 years in the wilderness/ desert. Usually 40 is a symbolic number used in the Bible to express the fullness of time. I am of the opinion that Jesus' 40 days in die wilderness/ desert where he was without food contrasts the Israelites wondering in the wilderness/ desert. While the "sons of God" couldn't resist straying from God even when the Lord provided them with manna and quail, Jesus endures temptation and puts his trust in the Lord. He is the beginning of the new Israel. I think that the above fits especially well with Matthew's Gospel.

Kind regards


Elimelek

Sorry, I send the post to quickly. Interestingly enough the following kings reigned for 40 years: David, Solomon and Joash (Jehoash), while Acts 13:21 reports that Saul also reigned for 40 years.

In Judges the land rested forty years after a judge did his thing. Jonah told the city of Nineveh that they will be destroyed in 40 days.

Both Isaac and Esau took their first wives on the age of forty, while Joseph's embalming took 40 days.

Just some notes:
Both Moses when he went without food on Sinai for 40 days and Elijah when he was led to the mountain of God, i.e. Sinai, and went without food for 40 days were both supernaturally sustained for that period.
Jesus on the other hand did not have supernatural assistance during His fast.The Israelites were in the wilderness for fourty years representing a day/year for the number of days the spies were in Canaan.
40 does seem to be the number used to represent testing or temptation in Scripture.

Paul received forty lashes less one several times. Forty was the maximum a judge could give according to Deut. You would give one less to avoid miscounting. I've read where over 40 was considered a death sentence, but I don't know how dependable that info is.

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Marv
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The number 40 is worth checking out. Moses lived in Luxury in Egypt for 40 years, he lived in exile for 40 years, he lived as God's Prophet for 40 years.

Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years ... there are more 40s to check with your bible and bible tools.

Cheers

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The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.