4:4a
But Jesus answered: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as answered can also be translated as “replied” or “responded.” Jesus did not answer a question. He responded to what the devil suggested. Use a word from your language that matches this context. For example:
But Jesus told him (New Living Translation (2004))
But: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But is a conjunction that may also be translated as “and.” Some English versions, such as the English Standard Version, translate it that way. Other versions, such as the New International Version and NET Bible, do not translate this conjunction here. Connect 4:4a to 4:3b in a way that is natural in your language.
It is written: Jesus used the phrase It is written to introduce words that were written in the Hebrew Scriptures (Deuteronomy 8:3). Some other ways to translate this are:
It is written in the Scriptures (New Century Version)
-or-
The scripture says (Good News Translation)
4:4b
Man shall not live on bread alone:
The clause Man shall not live on bread alone is a quotation from Deuteronomy 8:3. Jesus was saying that bread (food) alone does not give true life. There is something more important than food.
Be careful not to translate this clause in a way that implies that Jesus was saying that people need a variety of foods in addition to bread. He was not saying that bread is not nutritious enough to sustain life. He was saying that food alone does not give true life.
Some other ways to translate this are:
It takes more than bread for man to live.
-or-
Food by itself is not enough to keep people alive.
-or-
No one can live only on food. (Contemporary English Version)
Man: The word Man here refers to human beings. It refers to both males and females.
bread: In this context bread represents food in general. This is the same word as in 4:3b.
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