All things bear record · Matthew

Matthew 25

6 witnesses of Christ here.

Bridegroom

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Matthew 25:1–10

Christ is the Bridegroom whose coming at midnight catches half the virgins without oil. Latter-day revelation says this parable will be fulfilled at His Second Coming; spiritual preparation cannot be borrowed at the last minute.

AttestedProphecy or typeallegory_parable

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • interpreted by D&C 45:56-57 — "When I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins."
  • alluded to by D&C 33:17 — Lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, ready at the coming of the Bridegroom.
  • the same title in Matthew 9:15 — Jesus calls Himself the bridegroom.
  • alludes to Isaiah 62:5 — As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

Son of Man

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. Matthew 25:11–13

The late virgins call the Bridegroom "Lord, Lord," but He does not know them, and Jesus names Himself the Son of Man whose hour is unknown. The Joseph Smith Translation renders His answer "Ye know me not," making the point that we must come to know Him now.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

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

  • alludes to Matthew 7:21-23 — Not every one that saith "Lord, Lord" enters; "I never knew you."
  • alluded to by Mosiah 26:25-27 — Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, their Redeemer; "I never knew them."

Judgment

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. Matthew 25:14–30

The master who leaves, entrusts talents, and returns "after a long time" to reckon with his servants pictures Christ, who has ascended and will return to judge. Those who used His gifts faithfully enter His joy; the servant who buried his gift out of fear loses it.

AttestedProphecy or typeallegory_parable

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • alluded to by D&C 82:18 — That every man may improve upon his talent.
  • alluded to by D&C 60:2-3 — The Lord is not pleased with those who hide the talent He has given them.

Judgment

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: Matthew 25:31–33

Jesus foretells His coming in glory with all the angels to judge every nation. Like a shepherd He separates His sheep from the goats; the Good Shepherd is also the final Judge.

AttestedExplicitA prophecy of 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

  • the same event in Matthew 19:28 — The Son of Man sitting in the throne of His glory.
  • alludes to Ezekiel 34:17 — The Lord GOD: "I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats."
  • the same event in Revelation 20:12 — The dead, small and great, stand before God to be judged.

King

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Matthew 25:34–40

Jesus calls Himself the King who welcomes the righteous as "blessed of my Father." He is so united with the hungry, the stranger, the sick and the prisoner that every kindness to them is a kindness to Him.

AttestedExplicitA title of Christ

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

  • alluded to by Mosiah 2:17 — When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
  • alluded to by D&C 42:38 — "Inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these, ye do it unto me."

Judgment

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:41–46

The same King tells those who ignored the needy that they ignored Him. Latter-day revelation explains that "everlasting" punishment is God's punishment, named for Him, since Endless and Eternal are His names.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

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

  • alluded to by D&C 29:27-28 — The wicked on His left hand: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."
  • interpreted by D&C 19:10-12 — "Eternal punishment is God's punishment. Endless punishment is God's punishment."