Observe:
I. the depth of the intention of Satan's question. It opens at once a dilemma. Canst Thou be thus without bread, and yet be the Son of God? Nay, the thing is contradictory. "Give up the thought of Thy Sonship." Satan's great aim is to cut off the sense of sonship, for he knows well how the peace and the holiness of every man depend upon the feeling himself the child of God. Therefore, he does everything in the world to check that confidence in a man's soul.
II. What would have been the result if Christ had followed Satan's advice? It would have been (1) to do what Christ never did, to work a miracle for Himself, and exert His omnipotence only for His own gratification; (2) it would have been distrustful of the Divine providence, to go out of His way to obtain by the supernatural that which God could and did supply by natural means; and (3) it would have placed the material above the spiritual, the well-being of the body above the welfare of the soul.
III. Our Lord's answer takes us at once to this high thought, not only that God will provide as He did by the manna what is necessary for the body, but that He is the food for the soul; the food of truth truth in Scripture, truth in Christ; a food far more important than material bread; as much more important as spirit is more important, and if you fell, there was a point where you did precipitate yourself.
J. Vaughan, Sermons,11th series, pp. 77, 85.
References: Matthew 4:2-4. Homiletic Magazine,vol. vi., p. 150; H. M. Butler, Harrow Sermons,p. 13.