How are the two natures of Jesus—divine and human—amplified during the temptation in the wilderness?
Jesus does not need to prove his divine nature to the devil, for the very temptation by the devil—to use his divine power—presupposes this. Jesus also had to discipline himself not to forsake the will of his Father, however, which was the objective of the devil’s temptation in the wilderness. Jesus here simultaneously acts as a man and as the Son of God. He remains true to the words of his Father spoken at his baptism and rebukes Satan from Scripture (Deuteronomy 8:3). In this way the temptation does not, as has often been claimed, pertain to Jesus’ character itself, but rather his mission.1 Jesus appeal to Deuteronomy to counter Satan, that as a man he is occupying the place of an Israelite under the law, in subjection to the Lord. He also speaks about the Lord your God,
as every Bible-believer ought to do.2
As a human, Jesus also submits to the Scripture given by God to man, as is evident from his answer to the devil. How he could be genuinely tempted as a human (Hebrews 2:18), yet still remain unable to fail as God, remains somewhat of a mystery to us.3
3 Le tentateur, s'étant approché, lui dit: Si tu es Fils de Dieu, ordonne que ces pierres deviennent des pains.