But he who conquered the arch-enemy in the wilderness, wrested this writhing captive from the grasp of Satan. Jesus well knew that although assuming another form, this demon was the same evil spirit that had tempted him in the wilderness. Satan seeks by various devices to gain his object. The same spirit that saw and recognized the Saviour, and cried out to him, “Let us alone! What have we to do with thee?” possessed the wicked Jews who rejected Christ and scorned his teachings. But with them he assumed an air of piety and learning, seeking to deceive them as to their real motives in refusing the Saviour. {2SP 180.2}

Men den, som overvandt ærkefjenden i ørknen, rykkede denne elendige fange ud af Satans klør. Jesus vidste, at selvom han havde antaget en anden form, så var dog denne ånd den samme onde ånd, som fristede ham i ørknen. Satan følger ved forskellige påfund sin hensigt. Den samme ånd, der så og kendte frelseren og råbte til ham: "Er du kommen for at ødelægge os?" herskede også over de ugudelige jøder, som forkastede Kristus og foragtede hans lære. Men hos dem antog den en lærd og from mine og søgte at bedrage dem med hensyn til deres virkelige bevæggrund for at forkaste Frelseren.