4:12a

But: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But is a conjunction that is often 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 4:12a to 4:11b in a way that is natural in your language.

Jesus answered: As in 4:4a and 4:8a, the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as answered here means “replied” or “responded.” Jesus was not answering a question. He was responding to an attempt by the devil to tempt him to sin.

Jesus was refusing to do what Satan had wanted. You may need to make this clear in your translation. For example:

Jesus ⌊refused. He⌋ said…

It also says: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as It also says, which is literally “it is said,” refers to the Scriptures. It has the same meaning as “It is written” in 4:4a and 4:8a. Some English versions have made this explicit, using an active verb. For example:

Scripture says (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
The Scriptures also say (Contemporary English Version)

4:12b

Do not put the Lord your God to the test: Other ways to translate the Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Do not put the Lord your God to the test are:

Do not test the Lord your God (New Century Version)
-or-
Never tempt the Lord your God (God’s Word)

Here in 4:12b, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6:16. God had forbidden people to test him. In this context, Jesus meant that jumping down from the temple would be testing God. It would have been a sin. He would have tested God to prove that God would save him.

General Comment on 4:12a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate the quotation from the Scriptures as indirect speech. For example:

The Scriptures say that no one should test the Lord our(excl) God.

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