3:10 to Yuma, and the Ultimate Temptation

In Delmer Daves "310 To Yuma", Ben Wade(Glenn Ford) is dragged into a job that seems dire and risks his life in order to provide for his family. He is set out to help the capture and transfer of Dan Evans(Van Heflin), a criminal and gang member that has been alluding police for quite some time. It is during this time that Wade's ethics are tested by Evans in the ultimate moral battle. Evans is posturing for Ben to let him free by offering him double the money that he has been offered by police to capture him.

Ben Wade's sole purpose for taking this job is the money. He even states that he has nothing against Evan's the man, but he needs to provide for his family. When Evan's gang returns to the hotel ready for a shootout in order to rescue him, Evans ups the stakes to try and get free.

“Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only"(New International Bible, Matthew 4:10).

These scenes where Wade is tested are very easily related to Christ being tested by Satan in the Devil. Ben Wade is in need of money and prior to the shootout every man on his side has abandoned him in fear, so there is little to no chance he would survive a shootout by himself. Likewise, Satan drags Christ through the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. Christ is starving. In the bible, Satan puts Christ to the test in order to prove he is who he really says he is. While Jesus Christ was indeed perfect in every way, a direct image of God; the Bible accounts that he was tempted by Satan, and his ideals came into question. Probably the most relatable temptation to "3:10" is the kingdom temptation, in which Satan offered Christ the entire Earth if he bowed down to worship Satan.

⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (New International Bible, Matthew 4:9). 

 In "3:10 to Yuma" - much like the Temptation of Christ, better heads prevail, and Ben Wade refuses any of Evans' attempts at bargaining for his capture. Even when the offer seems better, his ethics and morals to what is the right thing to do trump over everything else. This is a wonderful ideal to have, and it is wonderful such a story could be told even in this postmodern setting such as this film.

Works Cited:

Daves, Delmer, , dir. 3:10 To Yuma. Perf. Van Hefflin Glenn Ford. Columbia Pictures, 1957. Film. 7 Aug 2012. 

 New International Bible. Gospel of Matthew, 4:9-10.