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Harry Anderson's painting, "The Second Coming," depicting Jesus Christ coming to the earth in clouds, flanked on either side by trumpeting angels
Come Follow Me 2023: Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21

May 22–28
“The Son of Man Shall Come”

Scripture Central Videos

Watch videos from Gospel scholars and teachers to learn more about these New Testament passages. Scripture Central produces weekly videos from Tyler Griffin, Taylor Halverson, Clint Mortenson, John Hilton III, and Lynne Hilton Wilson.

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Commentary

The New Testament Minute is a commentary series made especially for the free ScripturePlus app, which features insights from New Testament scholars. many of the insights in the New Testament Minute are gleaned from the BYU New Testament Commentary series. Lynne Hilton Wilson has written a commentary to supplement her New Testament video series.

cover of New Testament Minute: Matthew
John W. Welch
John W. Welch, General Editor
cover of New Testament Minute: Mark
John S. Thompson
John W. Welch, General Editor
cover of New Testament Minute: Luke
S. Kent Brown
John W. Welch, General Editor

Reading Plan

Structure your personal scripture study by following a 15-minute, day-by-day plan. Each day's assignment includes the required scripture passages from the Come, Follow Me curriculum, as well as suggestions for additional resources to bring context and understanding to your study. For the best experience, use our Reading Plan in the free ScripturePlus app! You can track your progress and have access to the best resources.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Joseph Smith Translation Variants

Explore Joseph Smith's inspired translation of the bible by comparing his changes to the King James Version of the New Testament. To learn more, see Joseph Smith's Translation of the Bible: The Joseph Smith Translation and the King James Translation in Parallel Columns.

Matthew 24 JST Variants

For the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 24, see Joseph Smith—Matthew in The Pearl of Great Price.

Matthew 25 JST Variants

KJV

JST

(1) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

(1) And then at that , before the Son of Man comes, the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

(2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

(2) And five of them were wise, and five of them were foolish.

(9) But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

(9) But the wise answered, saying, Not so, Lest there be not enough for us and you, but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

(11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

(11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us.

(12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

(12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, you know me not.

(13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

(13) Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

(14) 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.

(14) Now I will liken these things unto a parable. For it is like as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

(15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

(15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway went on his journey.

(16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

(16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same and gained other five talents.

(17) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

(17) And likewise he who received two talents, he also gained other two.

(20) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

(20) And so he that had received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained besides them five talents more.

(21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

(21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

(22) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

(22) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents besides them.

(24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

(24) Then he who had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not scattered.

(25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

(25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth. And lo, here is thy talent. Take it from me as thou hast from thine other servants, for it is thine.

(26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

(26) His lord answered and said unto him, O wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not scattered.

(27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

(27) Having known this, therefore, thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

(28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

(28) I will take therefore the talent from you and give it unto him who hath ten talents.

(29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

(29) For unto everyone who hath obtained other talents shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not obtained other talents shall be taken away even that which he hath.

(30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(30) And his lord shall say unto his servants, Cast ye the unprofitable servant unto outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(31) 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:

(31) When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he shall sit upon the throne of his glory:

(32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

(32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

(33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

(33) And he shall set The sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. And he shall sit upon his throne, and the twelve apostles with him.

(34) 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:

(34) And 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:

(35) For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

(35) For I was an hungred, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in:

(42) For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

(42) For I was an hungred, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink:

(43) I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

(43) I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.

(45) Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

(45) Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it not unto me.

Mark 12 JST Variants

KJV

JST

(1) And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

(1) And Jesus began to speak unto them by parables, saying, A certain man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged the winevat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

(3) And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.

(3) And they caught the servant and beat him, and sent him away empty.

(8) And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.

(8) And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.

(9) What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

(9) What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? Lo, he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

(10) And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

(10) Again have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

(12) And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

(12) And now they were angry when they heard these words, and they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

(13) And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

(13) And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

(14) And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, or not?

(14) And when they were come, they said unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

(16) And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Cæsar’s.

(16) And they brought the penny. And he said unto them, Whose image and superscription is this? And they said unto him, Caesar’s.

(17) And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

(17) And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at it.

(18) Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

(18) Then came unto him the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

(19) Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

(19) Master, Moses wrote unto us in his law, if a man’s brother die, and leave a wife behind him and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

(20) Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

(20) Now there were seven brethren. and The first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

(24) And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

(24) And Jesus answering said unto them, Ye do err therefore, because ye know not and understand not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

(25) For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

(25) For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels of God who are in heaven.

(27) He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

(27) He is not therefore the God of the dead, but the God of the living, for he raiseth them up out of their graves. Ye therefore do greatly err.

(29) And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

(29) And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hearken and hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

(31) And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

(31) And the second is like this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

(32) And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

(32) And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but him.

(34) And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

(34) And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him, saying, Who art thou?

(35) And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?

(35) And Jesus spake and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?

(36) For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

(36) For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

(37) David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

(37) David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly, but the high priest and the elders were offended at him.

(38) And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,

(38) And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and have salutations in the marketplaces,

(40) Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

(40) Who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

(41) And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

(41) And after this Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

(42) And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

(42) And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

(43) And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

(43) And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they who have cast into the treasury:

(44) For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

(44) For all the rich did cast in of their abundance; but she, notwithstanding her want, did cast in all that she had, yea, even all her living.

Mark 13 JST Variants

The Mark 13 revision is a copy of the preliminary version of Joseph Smith’s translation of Matthew 24 and does not align with Mark 13.

Luke 21 JST Variants

KJV

JST

(1) And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

(1) And he looked up, and saw the rich casting in their gifts into the treasury.

(4) For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

(4) For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury has cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

(6) As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

(6) As for These things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another which shall not be thrown down.

(7) And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

(7) And the disciples asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? And what sign wilt thou show when these things shall come to pass?

(8) And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

(8) And he said, The time draweth near, and therefore take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ. Go ye not therefore after them.

(9) But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

(9) And when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but this is not the end.

(12) But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.

(12) But before all these things shall come, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.

(13–15) And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

(13–15) Settle this therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist, and it shall turn to you for a testimony.

(17) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

(17) And ye shall be hated of all of the world for my name’s sake.

(18) But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

(18) But there shall not a hair of your head perish.

(21) Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

(21) Then let them who are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them who are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them who are in the countries return to enter into the city.

(23) But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

(23) But woe unto them who are with child, and to them who give suck, in those days! For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

(24) And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

(24) And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Now these things he spake unto them concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. And then his disciples asked him, saying, Master, tell us concerning thy coming.

(25) And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

(25) And he answered them and said, In the generation in which the times of the gentiles shall be fulfilled, there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, like the sea and the waves roaring;

(26) Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

(26) The earth also shall be troubled and the waters of the great deep—men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

(27–28) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

(27–28) And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for the day of you redemption draweth nigh. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

(29) And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

(29) And he spake to them a parable, saying, Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

(32) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

(32) Verily I say unto you, this generation, the generation when the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled, shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

(34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

(34) Let my disciples therefore take heed to themselves, lest at any time their hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon them unawares.

(35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

(35) For as a snare shall it come on all them who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

(36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

(36) And what I say unto one I say unto all: Watch ye therefore, and pray always and keep my commandments, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man when he shall come clothed in the glory of his Father.

(37) And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

(37) And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

Reading Resources

Joseph Smith–Matthew 

Lynne Wilson, "Joseph Smith—Matthew; Matthew 24-25; Mark 12-13; Luke 21," Come Follow Me: The New Testament, 2019. 

Stephen O. Smoot, The Pearl of Great Price: A Study Edition for Latter-day Saints (Springville, UT: Book of Mormon Central, 2022). 

D. Kelly Ogden, “Prophecies and Promises of Joseph Smith – Matthew,” Religious Educator 3, no. 1 (2002): 35-49. 

Robert L. Millet, “Joseph Smith and the Gospel of Matthew,” Brigham Young University Studies 25, no. 3 (Summer 1985). 

George A. Horton, “Joseph Smith – Matthew: Profiting from Prophecy,” in The Pearl of Great Price: Revelations from God, ed. H. Donl Peterson and Charles D. Tate (1989). 

Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” General Conference April 2004. 

Larry Y. Wilson, “Return of the King,” BYU Speeches December 2015. 

Matthew 24

Robert L. Millet, “Joseph Smith and the Gospel of Matthew,” Brigham Young University Studies 25, no. 3 (Summer 1985).

Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” General Conference April 2004.

Larry Y. Wilson, “Return of the King,” BYU Speeches December 2015.

Matthew 25

Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” General Conference April 2004.

Larry Y. Wilson, “Return of the King,” BYU Speeches December 2015.

Ronald A. Rasband, “Well Done, Thou Good and Faithful Servant,” BYU-I January 2011.

J. Michael Pinegar, “The Lord’s Goods,” BYU Speeches November 2004.

Douglas M. Chabries, “Talents,” BYU Speeches May 2005.

Clyde J. Williams, ”‘Whoso Treasureth Up My Word Shall Not Be Deceived,’” in A Witness for the Restoration: Essays in Honor of Robert J. Matthews, ed. Kent P. Jackson and Andrew C. Skinner (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2007), 129-47.

Lynn G. Robbins, “Oil in Our Lamps,” Ensign, June 2007.

Marti Lu Allen, “The Virgins’ Lamps: Shine Beautiful!” BYU Studies Quarterly 36, no. 3 (1996).

Jolene Mercia, “For They That Are Wise,” BYU Women’s Conference 2000.

Mark 12

Howard A. Christy, “The Great Commandment: Principle or Platitude?Religious Educator 3, no. 1 (2002): 71–85.

Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Widow’s Mite,” BYU Speeches September 1985.

S. Kent Brown, “The Widow’s Two Mites,” BYU New Testament Commentary, March 2016.

Cristina B. Franco, “The Joy of Unselfish Service,” General Conference October 2018.

President Henry B. Eyring, “Blessings of Tithing,” Friend Magazine September 2017

Mark 13

Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” General Conference April 2004.

Larry Y. Wilson, “Return of the King,” BYU Speeches December 2015.

Luke 21

Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” General Conference April 2004.

Larry Y. Wilson, “Return of the King,” BYU Speeches December 2015.