The Portrayal of “the Satan”

The portrayal of “the Satan” throughout the Bible and other religious scriptures evolves as time passes, however his representation towards the reader and God has always maintains the same frame, “the Satan” is the opponent, the one who makes you question your faith and commit wrong doings all in his name. In this paper I will be comparing “the Satan” in both book of Job and Gospel of Matthew, outlining his differences and similarities in both event and how “the Satan” influences the characters and the reader.

To begin in both events “the Satan” is and always remains the competitor to the protagonists. “The Satan” puts both Job in the book of Job and Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew to the test, making them question their belief in God and what he signifies to them. Although the fundamental difference between the presence of “the Satan” in both events is his actual presence. In book of Job, the presence of “the Satan” remains unknown, meaning he doesn’t directly come into contact with Job and initiate a dialogue, like for Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, instead he confronts Job in the form of challenges, by killing his family and all his livestock, making his life a living hell in order to test his piousness towards God, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell on them and carried them off, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword. (Job 1: 14-15) and “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them” (Job 1: 16) and lastly “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, and suddenly a great wind came across the desert, struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead” (Job 1: 18-19). In Gospel of Matthew, the presence of “the Satan” is felt, and not only does he put Jesus to the test like he did to Job but he actually tries to influence him directly by making him put his faith to the test. "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." (Matt. 4: 3)

Another difference in both stories is the presence of God. In book of Job, “the Satan” and God share a dialogue where God tells “the Satan” about Job, the God fearing man. “The Satan” appears to be almost an equal to God, being able to communicate with him and practically be at his service, God commands “the Satan” to go forth to Job and put his faith to the test, however on the condition that he spares his life, meaning that God is setting the stage for “the Satan” giving him direction, being at his disposal. However, in Gospel of Matthew, the presence of God is virtually unseen, apart from his son Jesus, God does not command “the Satan” to put Jesus to the test, instead “the Satan” takes matters in his own hands and attempts to persuade Jesus to intentionally test Gods wrath and succumb