Recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, the Sermon on the Mount has made a big impact on both Christian faith as well as broader Western culture. Even non-Christians are familiar with, and often use, language and concepts from Jesus’ sermon. Phrases such as “the salt of the earth,” “the light of the world,” “a city on a hill,” “love your enemies,” and other expressions have become part of...

Have you been born again? This question is pretty common in the Christian world today. And yet there is quite a bit of confusion about what it actually means. A number of New Testament scriptures teach about being born again, but it is most famously discussed in John 3:3 . Speaking to a Jewish Pharisee named Nicodemus, Jesus declared, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,...

Many Christians are aware that Jesus was tempted by the devil when He was in the wilderness for 40 days. However, the Bible can only get us so far in understanding what was really going on while Jesus secluded Himself in the desert. Additional scriptures from the Restoration can go a long way in helping unveil some of the mysterious things in this story. The Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great...

The baptism of Jesus Christ is full of rich symbolism and meaning. It’s a significant event in the New Testament because His baptism marks the beginning of his ministry and is a sign that He is the Father’s “beloved son” (Matthew 3:17). However, many readers have asked why Jesus had to be baptized at all, and why it was in the River Jordan. While the New Testament provides some clues about the...

The baptism of Jesus Christ in the New Testament is an immensely important part of Jesus Christ’s life. His baptism marks the beginning of his ministry and is a sign to many of Jesus’s followers that He is the Father’s “beloved son” ( Matthew 3:17 ). But the purpose of baptism, both Jesus’s and his followers’, is left a little vague in the New Testament. What is the purpose of baptism? What is...

The lesson from Come Follow Me for this week centers on John 1 and the topic of recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. The prologue to the Gospel of John ( John 1:1–18 ) introduces us to the pre-existent Christ: “In the beginning … the Word was with God.” Our Savior’s mission began long before He was born in Bethlehem. Holy prophets throughout history foresaw His coming and shared their divine...

This week’s Come Follow Me material is particularly special because members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints get to study the birth of Jesus Christ yet again after the Christmas season. The birth of Jesus Christ is a revered tradition among many Christian faiths. However, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has additional insight into the birth of Jesus Christ thanks...

In the Articles of Faith, we are told that the Bible is “the word of God as far as it is translated correctly” ( Articles of Faith 1:8 ). As you’ve read the New Testament, have you ever wondered if a word or phrase was translated correctly? Have you ever wished that you could understand more about the original language of the New Testament? The BYU New Testament Commentary is holding a conference...

According to Matthew, when the angel Gabriel appeared to Joseph, he said that Mary’s conception, and the birth of Jesus “was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet,” and quoted Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” ( Isaiah 7:14 ; cf. Matthew 1:22–23 ). Gabriel’s point was to show that Jesus was the long-...

Take Your Scripture Study to the Next Level This year Latter-day Saints have been asked to take their scripture study up a notch. The Church is re-directing the center of learning to the home, where individuals and families can be flexible to study in ways that best suit their circumstances. With the onset of 2-hour church and the beginning of the Come Follow Me curriculum , members of the Church...