Joseph Smith—Matthew 1

Messiah

For I say unto you, that ye shall not see me henceforth and know that I am he of whom it is written by the prophets, until ye shall say: Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, in the clouds of heaven, and all the holy angels with him. Then understood his disciples that he should come again on the earth, after that he was glorified and crowned on the right hand of God. Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:1

Jesus declares that He is the one the prophets wrote about, the promised Messiah. The whole Old Testament witness points to Him.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 23:39 — The same saying in Matthew.
• the same title in Luke 24:27 — Jesus expounds in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Second Coming

For I say unto you, that ye shall not see me henceforth and know that I am he of whom it is written by the prophets, until ye shall say: Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, in the clouds of heaven, and all the holy angels with him. Then understood his disciples that he should come again on the earth, after that he was glorified and crowned on the right hand of God. Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:1

Jesus foretells that He will come again in the clouds with His angels, after He is glorified and crowned at God's right hand. The disciples understood He was speaking of His return to the earth.

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

• quotes Psalm 118:26 — "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD."
• the same event in Acts 1:11 — This same Jesus shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.
• the same event in Acts 7:56 — Stephen sees the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.

Jesus

Jesus — Greek form of Joshua/Jeshua, "Jehovah saves"

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple; and his disciples came to him, for to hear him, saying: Master, show us concerning the buildings of the temple, as thou hast said—They shall be thrown down, and left unto you desolate. Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:2–4

Jesus prophesies the temple's destruction, and on the Mount of Olives His disciples ask Him, their Master, for the signs of His coming and the end of the wicked.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:1-3 — The same setting in Matthew.
• a parallel account in Mark 13:1-4 — The same setting in Mark.

Christ

Christ — Greek for "the Anointed One", equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah

And Jesus answered, and said unto them: Take heed that no man deceive you; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:5–7

Jesus, the true Christ, warns that impostors will claim His title, and that His disciples will be persecuted because they bear His name.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:4-9 — The same warnings in Matthew.

Christ

Christ — Greek for "the Anointed One", equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah

Behold, these things I have spoken unto you concerning the Jews; and again, after the tribulation of those days which shall come upon Jerusalem, if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there, believe him not; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:21–22

The Savior warns that before His return false Christs will work signs to deceive even the elect. Knowing the true Christ protects us from counterfeits.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:23-24 — The same warning in Matthew.

Son of Man

Son of Man — the Son of the Man of Holiness, a title of Jesus Christ as the Son of God the Father

Wherefore, if they shall say unto you: Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: Behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:25–27

Jesus says His Second Coming will not be hidden in a desert or a secret room; it will be as visible as the morning light covering the whole earth, and He will gather His elect from the four quarters.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:26-28 — The same prophecy in Matthew.
• the same title in Moses 6:57 — Son of Man explained as the Son of the Man of Holiness.

Jesus Christ

Although, the days will come, that heaven and earth shall pass away; yet my words shall not pass away, but all shall be fulfilled. Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:35

Jesus testifies that His words are more lasting than heaven and earth. Every promise He makes will be fulfilled.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:35 — The same declaration in Matthew.

Second Coming

And, as I said before, after the tribulation of those days, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken, then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn; and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:36–37

Jesus, the Son of Man, prophesies that He will come in the clouds with power and great glory and send His angels to gather His elect. Those who treasure up His word will not be deceived.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:30-31 — The same prophecy in Matthew.
• alludes to Daniel 7:13 — One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven.
• the same event in Revelation 1:7 — He cometh with clouds; every eye shall see Him and all kindreds of the earth shall wail.

Second Coming

Now learn a parable of the fig tree—When its branches are yet tender, and it begins to put forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh at hand; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38–39

Through the parable of the fig tree, Jesus teaches that the elect who watch the signs will know that He is near, even at the doors.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:32-33 — The parable of the fig tree in Matthew.
• the same event in D&C 45:37-39 — The Lord repeats the fig tree parable about His coming in this dispensation.

Son of God

But of that day, and hour, no one knoweth; no, not the angels of God in heaven, but my Father only. Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:40

Jesus speaks of God as "my Father", testifying of His relationship as the Son, and teaches that only the Father knows the exact time of His return.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:36 — The same saying in Matthew.
• a parallel account in Mark 13:32 — The same saying in Mark.

Son of Man

Son of Man — the Son of the Man of Holiness, a title of Jesus Christ as the Son of God the Father

But as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:41–43

Jesus compares His coming to Noah's day, when people went on with ordinary life and ignored the warnings until the flood came. His return will likewise surprise the unprepared.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:37-39 — The same comparison in Matthew.
• a parallel account in Luke 17:26-27 — The days of Noah compared to the days of the Son of man.

Second Coming

Then shall be fulfilled that which is written, that in the last days, two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:44–48

Jesus, "your Lord" and the Son of Man, tells all people to watch and be ready, because He will come at an hour they do not expect, like a thief in the night.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:40-44 — The same warning in Matthew.
• the same event in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 — The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Second Coming

Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:49–54

In this parable the returning lord of the household is Christ. Faithful servants who care for His household are blessed at His coming, while those who say "My lord delayeth his coming" and mistreat others are cut off.

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

• a parallel account in Matthew 24:45-51 — The parable of the faithful and evil servants in Matthew.

The Prophet Like unto Moses

And thus cometh the end of the wicked, according to the prophecy of Moses, saying: They shall be cut off from among the people; but the end of the earth is not yet, but by and by. Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:55

Jesus cites Moses' prophecy that those who will not hear the Prophet God raises up will be cut off from among the people. Jesus Himself identified Himself as that prophet like unto Moses.

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

• alludes to Deuteronomy 18:15-19 — Moses foretells a Prophet like unto him whom the people must hear.
• the same title in Acts 3:22-23 — Peter applies the prophecy to Christ: every soul that will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people.
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 20:23 — Jesus: "I am he of whom Moses spake", and those who will not hear shall be cut off from among the people.