3 Nephi 20

Bread of Life

And it came to pass that he brake bread again and blessed it, and gave to the disciples to eat. 3 Nephi 20:3–9

Jesus miraculously creates the bread and wine for the sacrament. Partaking of His body and blood feeds the soul so it will never hunger or thirst. The filled multitude gives glory to Jesus.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to John 6:35 — I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 18:7 — The first sacrament, in remembrance of my body.

The Lord their God, who hath redeemed them

And it came to pass that when they had all given glory unto Jesus, he said unto them: Behold now I finish the commandment which the Father hath commanded me concerning this people, who are a remnant of the house of Israel. 3 Nephi 20:10–13

When Isaiah's words are fulfilled, scattered Israel will come to know the Lord their God who redeemed them. Speaking in His own discourse, Jesus is that Redeemer.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 3 Nephi 16:4 — Brought to a knowledge of me, their Redeemer.

Jehovah — Lord of the whole earth

And the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you this land, for your inheritance. 3 Nephi 20:14–19

Jesus quotes Micah, where the LORD gathers His people like sheaves and makes the remnant strong, and then adds, "I am he who doeth it." He is openly saying He is the Jehovah of Micah's prophecy.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Micah 4:12-13 — Gather them as the sheaves into the floor... horn iron... hoofs brass... unto the Lord of the whole earth.
• quotes Micah 5:8-9 — The remnant of Jacob as a lion among the beasts of the forest.

Jehovah, who covenanted with Jacob

And it shall come to pass that I will establish my people, O house of Israel. 3 Nephi 20:21–22

Jesus says He personally made the covenant with Jacob. The God who made that covenant was Jehovah, so the risen Christ is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Genesis 28:13-14 — I am the LORD God of Abraham... the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.

Christ in the midst of the New Jerusalem

And behold, this people will I establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea, even I will be in the midst of you. 3 Nephi 20:22

Jesus prophesies a New Jerusalem on this land and promises He Himself will be in the midst of His people there.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in 3 Nephi 21:23-25 — The New Jerusalem is built, and I also will be in the midst.
• the same event in Ether 13:3-6 — Ether's prophecy of the New Jerusalem on this land.

The Prophet like unto Moses

Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people. 3 Nephi 20:23

Jesus says outright that He is the prophet Moses foretold. Like Moses, He delivers His people and gives them a law, but He is far greater.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Deuteronomy 18:15-19 — Moses' prophecy of a prophet like unto him.
• alludes to Acts 3:22-23 — Peter applies the same prophecy to Jesus in almost the same words: every soul which will not hear that prophet.
• the same title in 1 Nephi 22:20-21 — Nephi also teaches that this prophet is the Holy One of Israel.

All the prophets testify of Christ

Verily I say unto you, yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me. 3 Nephi 20:24

Jesus teaches that every prophet since Samuel testified of Him. That is a key for reading the whole Old Testament as a witness of Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Acts 3:24 — All the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
• the same title in Jacob 7:11 — None of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ.

Seed of Abraham

And behold, ye are the children of the prophets; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 3 Nephi 20:25–27

Jesus is the promised seed of Abraham through whom every family of the earth is blessed. The Father raised Him up to turn people from their sins and to pour out the Holy Ghost on the Gentiles through Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Genesis 22:18 — In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
• alludes to Acts 3:25-26 — Peter: unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
• the same title in Galatians 3:16 — Paul: to thy seed, which is Christ.

Jehovah, keeper of the covenant

And they shall be a scourge unto the people of this land. Nevertheless, when they shall have received the fulness of my gospel, then if they shall harden their hearts against me I will return their iniquities upon their own heads, saith the Father. 3 Nephi 20:28–29

Speaking the Father's words, Jesus says He made the covenant to gather Israel back to the land of Jerusalem. The Father and the Son act together as the covenant God.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 3 Nephi 16:11 — I will remember my covenant which I have made unto my people.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God

Jesus Christ — "Jehovah saves," the Anointed One

And it shall come to pass that the time cometh, when the fulness of my gospel shall be preached unto them; 3 Nephi 20:30–31

Jesus prophesies that scattered Israel will one day believe He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and pray to the Father in His name.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in 2 Nephi 30:7 — The Jews which are scattered also shall begin to believe in Christ.

Redeemer — the Father and I are one

Then shall their watchmen lift up their voice, and with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye. 3 Nephi 20:32–35

Jesus quotes Isaiah 52 again, this time saying "the Father" where Isaiah says "the LORD," and then adds, "the Father and I are one." The redemption of Jerusalem is the united work of the Father and the Son.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 52:8-10 — The source passage.
• alludes to 3 Nephi 16:18-20 — His earlier quotation of the same verses.
• alludes to John 10:30 — I and my Father are one.

Redeemed without money

And then shall be brought to pass that which is written: Awake, awake again, and put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city, for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. 3 Nephi 20:36–38

The Lord promises that Israel, sold into bondage, will be redeemed without money. The price is not silver or gold. It is Christ's own sacrifice.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 52:1-3 — The source passage.
• a parallel account in 2 Nephi 8:24-25 — Jacob's reading of Isaiah 52:1-2.
• alluded to by 1 Peter 1:18-19 — Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ.

Jehovah — "I am he that doth speak"

Verily, verily, I say unto you, that my people shall know my name; yea, in that day they shall know that I am he that doth speak. 3 Nephi 20:39

In Isaiah the LORD says His people will know His name and that He is the one speaking. Jesus says these words as His own, which identifies Him as that LORD.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 52:6 — Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak.

He that publisheth peace

And then shall they say: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings unto them, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings unto them of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion: Thy God reigneth! 3 Nephi 20:40

Abinadi explained that those who publish peace are the prophets, and above all the Lord Himself, the founder of peace. The message to Zion is that her God, Christ, reigns.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 52:7 — The source verse.
• interpreted by Mosiah 15:14-18 — Abinadi: how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord.

The Lord, God of Israel — before and behind

And then shall a cry go forth: Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch not that which is unclean; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. 3 Nephi 20:41–42

The LORD, the God of Israel, goes in front of His gathering people and guards them from behind, as He did with the pillar at the Exodus. In the next chapter Jesus says these same words in the first person, "I will go before them."

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 52:11-12 — The source passage.
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 21:29 — For I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward.
• alludes to Exodus 14:19 — The angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them.

My Servant (Isaiah's Suffering Servant)

Behold, my servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. 3 Nephi 20:43–45

These verses open Isaiah's song of the Servant who is marred more than any man and then exalted, a prophecy of Christ's suffering and glory. His blood "sprinkles" and cleanses many nations. In 3 Nephi 21 Jesus uses the same words for a latter-day servant, so there may be a double fulfillment.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 52:13-15 — The source passage, which leads straight into Isaiah 53.
• alludes to Mosiah 14:3-5 — The Servant song continues (Isaiah 53 in Abinadi's words): despised, wounded for our transgressions.
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 21:8-10 — Kings shall shut their mouths; my servant shall be marred, yet I will heal him.