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What the Bible Says About Temptation

Overview

The Bible addresses temptation across 346 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Job and Psalms. Closely related themes include Integrity, Young Men, Adultery and Women. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Peter, Adam and David.

Key Bible verses about temptation

Old Testament

Genesis

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Yea: Heb. Yea, because, etc.

Genesis 3:2

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

Genesis 3:3

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Genesis 3:4

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Genesis 3:5

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Genesis 3:6

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. pleasant: Heb. a desire

Genesis 3:7

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. aprons: or, things to gird about

Genesis 3:8

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. cool: Heb. wind

Genesis 3:9

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Genesis 3:10

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Genesis 3:11

And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Genesis 3:12

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Genesis 3:13

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Genesis 20:6

And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Genesis 26:7

And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.

Genesis 39:7

And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

Genesis 39:8

But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

Genesis 39:9

There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Genesis 39:10

And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 7:25

The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 8:11

Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:

Deuteronomy 8:12

Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;

Deuteronomy 8:13

And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;

Deuteronomy 8:14

Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

Deuteronomy 8:17

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

Deuteronomy 8:18

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 13:3

Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Job

Job 1:9

Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Job 1:10

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. substance: or, cattle

Job 1:11

But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. and he: Heb. if he curse thee not to thy face

Job 1:12

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. power: Heb. hand

Job 31:1

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Job 31:5

If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;

Job 31:6

Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity. Let: Heb. Let him weigh me in balances of justice

Job 31:7

If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

Job 31:8

Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

Job 31:9

If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door;

Job 31:10

Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.

Job 31:11

For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

Job 31:12

For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.

Job 31:13

If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;

Job 31:14

What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?

Job 31:15

Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb? did not one: or, did he not fashion us in one womb?

Job 31:16

If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

Job 31:17

Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;

Job 31:19

If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;

Job 31:20

If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

Job 31:21

If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:

Job 31:22

Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. bone: or, chanelbone

Job 31:23

For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

Job 31:24

If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;

Job 31:25

If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; gotten: Heb. found much

Job 31:26

If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; sun: Heb. light in: Heb. bright

Job 31:27

And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: my mouth: Heb. my hand hath kissed my mouth

Job 31:28

This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

Job 31:29

If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:

Job 31:30

Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. mouth: Heb. palate

Job 31:31

If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

Job 31:32

The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller. traveller: or, way

Job 31:33

If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: as Adam: or, after the manner of men

Job 31:34

Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?

Job 31:38

If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; complain: Heb. weep

Job 31:39

If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: fruits: Heb. strength the owners: Heb. the soul of the owners thereof to expire, or, breathe out

Job 31:40

Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. cockle: or, noisome weeds

Psalms

Psalms 17:4

Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

Psalms 73:2

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

Psalms 73:3

For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psalms 73:4

For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. firm: Heb. fat

Psalms 73:5

They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. in: Heb. in the trouble of other men like: Heb. with

Psalms 73:6

Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

Psalms 73:7

Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. have: Heb. pass the thoughts of the heart

Psalms 73:8

They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

Psalms 73:9

They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

Psalms 73:10

Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

Psalms 73:11

And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

Psalms 73:12

Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

Psalms 73:13

Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

Psalms 73:14

For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. chastened: Heb. my chastisement was

Psalms 73:15

If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

Psalms 73:16

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; too: Heb. labour in mine eyes

Psalms 73:17

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Psalms 73:18

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Psalms 73:19

How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

Psalms 73:20

As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

Psalms 73:21

Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

Psalms 73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. ignorant: Heb. I knew not before Heb. with

Psalms 73:23

Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

Psalms 73:24

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Psalms 73:25

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

Psalms 73:26

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. strength: Heb. rock

Psalms 94:17

Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. almost: or, quickly

Psalms 94:18

When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.

Psalms 119:101

I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

Psalms 119:110

The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

Psalms 119:165

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. nothing: Heb. they shall have no stumblingblock

Proverbs

Proverbs 1:10

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Proverbs 1:11

If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

Proverbs 1:12

Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

Proverbs 1:13

We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

Proverbs 1:14

Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

Proverbs 1:15

My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

Proverbs 1:16

For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

Proverbs 1:17

Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. in the: Heb. in the eyes of every thing that hath a wing

Proverbs 2:10

When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

Proverbs 2:11

Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

Proverbs 2:12

To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

Proverbs 2:16

To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

Proverbs 4:14

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

Proverbs 4:15

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Proverbs 5:6

Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

Proverbs 5:7

Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 5:8

Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:

Proverbs 5:9

Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:

Proverbs 5:10

Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; thy wealth: Heb. thy strength

Proverbs 5:11

And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

Proverbs 5:12

And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

Proverbs 5:13

And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

Proverbs 5:14

I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

Proverbs 5:15

Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

Proverbs 5:16

Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.

Proverbs 5:17

Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.

Proverbs 5:18

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

Proverbs 5:19

Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. satisfy: Heb. water thee be thou: Heb. err thou always in her love

Proverbs 5:20

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

Proverbs 5:21

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

Proverbs 6:27

Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

Proverbs 6:28

Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

Proverbs 7:6

For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

Proverbs 7:7

And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, the youths: Heb. the sons

Proverbs 7:8

Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

Proverbs 7:9

In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: in the evening: Heb. in the evening of day

Proverbs 7:10

And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

Proverbs 7:11

(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

Proverbs 7:12

Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

Proverbs 7:13

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, with: Heb. she strengthened her face and said

Proverbs 7:14

I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. I have: Heb. Peace offerings are upon me

Proverbs 7:15

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

Proverbs 7:16

I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

Proverbs 7:17

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Proverbs 7:18

Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

Proverbs 7:19

For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

Proverbs 7:20

He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. with: Heb. in his hand the day: or, the new moon

Proverbs 7:21

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

Proverbs 7:22

He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; straightway: Heb. suddenly

Proverbs 7:23

Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Proverbs 9:15

To call passengers who go right on their ways:

Proverbs 9:16

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

Proverbs 9:17

Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. eaten: Heb. of secrecies

Proverbs 12:26

The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. excellent: or, abundant

Proverbs 13:14

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14:27

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 16:29

A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

Proverbs 19:27

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

Proverbs 28:10

Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

Proverbs 28:20

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. innocent: or, unpunished

Proverbs 30:9

Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. deny: Heb. belie thee

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 2:24

A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her. A wild: or, O wild ass, etc used: Heb. taught her pleasure: Heb. the desire of her heart turn: or, reverse it?

Jeremiah 2:25

Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. There: or, Is the case desperate?

Jeremiah 35:5

And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine.

Jeremiah 35:6

But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:

Jeremiah 35:7

Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 4:1

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Matthew 4:2

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

Matthew 4:3

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Matthew 4:4

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:5

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

Matthew 4:6

And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Matthew 4:7

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. tempt: or, try, or, put to trial, or, proof

Matthew 4:8

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Matthew 4:9

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Matthew 4:10

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Matthew 4:11

Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Matthew 5:19

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 6:13

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Matthew 12:45

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Matthew 13:22

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Matthew 16:1

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

Matthew 18:6

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:7

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Matthew 18:8

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Matthew 18:9

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Matthew 22:18

But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

Matthew 24:42

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 24:43

But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Matthew 24:44

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:13

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 26:31

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

Matthew 26:38

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Matthew 26:39

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Matthew 26:40

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:42

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Mark

Mark 1:13

And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Mark 4:15

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Mark 4:17

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. offended: or, stumbled, or, caused to fall into sin

Mark 10:21

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Mark 10:22

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Mark 10:23

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Mark 10:24

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

Mark 10:25

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mark 13:21

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Mark 13:22

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Mark 13:33

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Mark 13:34

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Mark 13:35

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Mark 13:36

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Mark 13:37

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Mark 14:37

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

Mark 14:38

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 14:67

And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

Mark 14:68

But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

Mark 14:69

And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

Mark 14:70

And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

Mark 14:71

But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

Luke

Luke 4:1

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Luke 4:2

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

Luke 4:3

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

Luke 4:4

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Luke 4:5

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

Luke 4:6

And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

Luke 4:7

If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. worship me: or, fall down before me

Luke 4:8

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Luke 4:9

And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:

Luke 4:10

For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

Luke 4:11

And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Luke 4:12

And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Luke 4:13

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

Luke 8:13

They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Luke 8:14

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Luke 10:25

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Luke 11:4

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Luke 12:35

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

Luke 12:36

And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Luke 12:37

Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Luke 12:38

And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

Luke 21:33

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 21:34

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

Luke 21:35

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Luke 21:36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Luke 22:3

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

Luke 22:31

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Luke 22:32

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Luke 22:40

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

Luke 22:46

And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Romans

Romans 6:12

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Romans 6:13

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. instruments: Gr. arms, or, weapons

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 7:5

For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. motions: Gr. passions

Romans 8:35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:36

As it is written For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Romans 8:37

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Romans 8:38

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Romans 8:39

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 12:21

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 14:13

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

Romans 14:15

But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. charitably: Gr. according to charity

Romans 14:21

It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 7:5

Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

1 Corinthians 8:9

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. liberty: or, power

1 Corinthians 8:10

For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; emboldened: Gr. edified

1 Corinthians 8:11

And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

1 Corinthians 8:12

But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

1 Corinthians 8:13

Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. common: or, moderate

1 Corinthians 10:28

But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

1 Corinthians 10:29

Conscience I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

1 Corinthians 10:30

For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? grace: or, thanksgiving

1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Gentiles: Gr. Greeks

1 Corinthians 16:13

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

People in the Bible and temptation

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying temptation for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 3:1, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Proverbs, Job and Psalms each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus, Peter and Adam and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Integrity, Young Men, Adultery and Women.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about temptation?

The Bible addresses temptation across 346 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Job and Psalms. Closely related themes include Integrity, Young Men, Adultery and Women. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Peter, Adam and David.

How many Bible verses are about temptation?

The Bible references temptation in 346 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention temptation?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 3:1: “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Yea: Heb. Yea, because, etc.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with temptation?

Jesus, Peter, Adam, David and Joseph.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on temptation.

Preach a series on Temptation