Verse 13 There have been great disputes among the learned whether the sacred writers intended us to understand, in this case, that the spirit of evil appeared in a visible form, and with an audible voice, to lead Jesus astray, or whether the temptation was urged in the mode in which enticements to sin are ordinarily presented to the human mind,--by inward suggestions. The language seems to be, at first view, too direct and specific to admit of any but a literal interpretation; but, then, the mind inclines to adopt a view more in accordance with the ordinary course of divine providence in respect to temptation to sin. There are very serious difficulties attending the settlement of this question; but it is less important than might be supposed, as all the moral aspects and bearings of the case are the same on either supposition. In order to appreciate the nature and severity of this trial, we must remember that Jesus was strictly a man, and that he partook of all the natural feelings of the human heart; and now, as he was about to enter upon a very public career as a man, he found himself mysteriously partaking of the divine nature, and clothed with divine authority, and placed, moreover, in a position which opened before him prospects of the greatest magnificence and splendor, if he would take advantage of the circumstances in which he was placed, and wield the supernatural powers with which he was clothed, to protect himself from injury, to gratify his own desires, and to attain earthly dominion, instead of giving himself up to a life of sorrow and suffering, and to an agonizing death, for the redemption of man. These seem to have been the suggestions which struggled for the mastery over him in the dark season of his trial. The greatness and severity of them we have too indistinct ideas of the reality of his manhood fully to realize.