As many Christians from different traditions have noted, the number “40” is a significant number.  Recall that in the Old Testament, some of the most significant narratives reference the number 40 as a part of the story:

• Noah and his family were in the Ark for 40 days and 40 nights. (Genesis 7:17)
• Moses experienced the presence of God for 40 days and 40 nights on top of a mountain. (Exodus 34:28)
• As punishment for their rebellion and complaining, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years

The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke) all include in their presentation of the gospel the story of Jesus spending 40 days and 40 nights in the desert:

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be…