“And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.”
Matthew 4:2 — Greek Interlinear
Church Fathers on Matthew 4:2
The Lord being baptized by John with water, is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be baptized by the fire of temptation. 'Then,' i.e. when the voice of the Father had been given from heaven.
Whoever thou art then that after thy baptism sufferest grievous trials, be not troubled thereat; for this thou receivedst arms, to fight, not to sit idle. God does not hold all trial from us; first, that we may feel that we are become stronger; secondly, that we may not be puffed up by the greatness of the gifts we have received; thirdly, that the Devil may have experience that we have entirely renounced him; fourthly, that by it we may be made stronger; fifthly, that we may…
The Devil’s snares are chiefly spread for the sanctified, because a victory over the saints is more desired than over others.