“Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21,” Scripture Helps: New Testament (2024)

Scripture Helps

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

In Jerusalem, Jesus taught the parable of the wicked husbandmen. He also taught about what we should give to God, the two great commandments, and the widow’s mites. On the Mount of Olives, the Savior foretold the destruction of Jerusalem and taught what signs will precede His Second Coming. He shared the parables of the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats to teach His disciples how to prepare for His return.

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Background and Context

What can we learn from Joseph Smith—Matthew?

While working on his inspired translation of the Bible, the Prophet Joseph Smith made more changes to Matthew 24 than to any other chapter in the New Testament. This revision is known as Joseph Smith—Matthew and is found in the Pearl of Great Price.

In Matthew 24 the Savior prophesied about two events: (1) the destruction of Jerusalem and (2) the events that would precede His Second Coming. In Matthew’s account, it can be difficult to determine which verses describe each event. In contrast, Joseph Smith—Matthew provides a clear distinction between the two events. Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:5–21 describe events that would happen just after the Savior’s death, and verses 22–55 describe events that will take place in the last days, prior to His Second Coming.

Some phrases are stated one time in the King James Version but are repeated twice in Joseph Smith—Matthew. Also, Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:55 does not have a correlating verse in Matthew 24.

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:2–4

When did the prophesied destruction of the temple take place?

(Compare to Matthew 24:1–3.)

a depiction of Jerusalem during the Savior’s time — My Father’s House, by Al Rounds

Jerusalem on fire — The Destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuzar-adan, by William Brassey Hole

The Savior prophesied that the temple would be destroyed. This prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70. After months of intense fighting between Jewish rebels and the Roman army, the rebels took refuge within the walls of Jerusalem. The Romans besieged the city. The ancient Jewish historian Josephus described the horror of the siege and wrote that the residents of Jerusalem “were deprived of all hope of survival.” Under the direction of the Roman governor Titus, the Roman army broke into the city. The army set the temple on fire and scattered the remaining stones. It is estimated that one million Jews perished in the conflict.

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:4

What is “the end of the world”?

(Compare to Matthew 24:3.)

“The end of the world” as described in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:14 refers to the end of wickedness. The Prophet Joseph Smith explained, “According to [the Savior’s] language, the end of the world is the destruction of the wicked; the harvest and the end of the world have an allusion directly to the human family in the last days, instead of the earth, as many have imagined.”

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:12–20, 31–32

What is the “abomination of desolation”?

(Compare to Matthew 24:15–22.)

The Old Testament prophet Daniel prophesied “of a day when there would be ‘the abomination that maketh desolate’ [Daniel 11:31; 12:11].” This refers to conditions of desolation that would come because of wickedness. Christians understood that Daniel’s prophecy was first fulfilled when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70. A second fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy will occur when the wicked are destroyed at the time of the Savior’s Second Coming.

“In a general sense, abomination of desolation also describes the latter-day judgments to be poured out upon the wicked wherever they may be.” From the beginning of this dispensation, the Lord has called upon His servants to warn all people of the latter-day judgments to come.

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:22

Who are the “elect according to the covenant”?

The term elect refers to “those who love God with all their hearts and live lives that are pleasing to Him.” In Joseph Smith—Matthew, the “elect according to the covenant” refers to those who have made covenants with God—baptized members of the Savior’s Church.

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:27

What do the eagles gathering to a carcass represent?

(Compare to Matthew 24:28.)

In this verse, eagles (“vultures” in some translations) gathering to a carcass are compared to the gathering of Israel. “The manner of the gathering, we are told, will be in the same miraculous and mysterious way as the gathering of eagles to a carcass lying in the desert—they appear suddenly and inexplicably in the four quarters of the sky and come together from vast distances to that single spot.”

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:36

What is the “sign of the Son of Man”?

(Compare to Matthew 24:30.)

Speaking about the events preceding the Savior’s Second Coming, the Prophet Joseph Smith prophesied: “There will be wars and rumors of wars, signs in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, the sun turned into darkness and the moon to blood, earthquakes in divers places, the seas heaving beyond their bounds; then will appear one grand sign of the Son of Man in heaven. But what will the world do? They will say it is a planet, a comet, etc. But the Son of Man will come as the sign of the coming of the Son of Man, which will be as the light of the morning cometh out of the east [see Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:26].”

Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38–40

How can we know when the Savior’s Second Coming is near?

(Compare to Matthew 24:36.)

Jesus Christ used the parable of the fig tree to talk about His Second Coming. The fig tree “is one of the earliest to show its fruitbuds, which appear before the leaves; thus a fig tree with leaves would be expected to also have fruit. … The time when the leaves appear indicates that summer is ‘nigh at hand’ [Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38–39].” Jesus didn’t give the exact day or hour when He will return. But by using the likeness of a fig tree, He taught that He would return in the season when the promised signs are present.

Matthew 25:1–12

What can New Testament marriage customs teach us about the parable of the ten virgins?

In New Testament times, on a marriage day, friends of the bride and bridegroom traditionally escorted the couple to the bridegroom’s home. The party would often take the longest way to the bridegroom’s home so more people could see the procession and rejoice with them. Some people would wait at the groom’s home, anticipating the arrival of the “meandering wedding party.” Some in the procession would carry torches or lamps; others would carry myrtle branches and flowers. After the procession made it to the bridegroom’s home, a wedding feast was typically held. It was an occasion of great celebration.

In the parable of the ten virgins, this wedding procession happened at night. The ten virgins were waiting to welcome the bride and groom. They each carried a lamp. Women carried lamps at night for personal safety and to maintain their reputation. It would have been “unthinkable” for an unmarried woman to be out in the dark without a lamp. Not knowing when the procession would arrive at the groom’s home, each woman needed to have oil reserves for her lamp.

Addressing the imagery of this parable, President Dallin H. Oaks taught: “All ten [virgins] were invited to the wedding feast, but only half of them were prepared with oil in their lamps when the bridegroom came. The five who were prepared went into the marriage feast, and the door was shut. The five who had delayed their preparations came late. The door had been closed, and the Lord denied them entrance. … The arithmetic of this parable is chilling. The ten virgins obviously represent members of Christ’s Church, for all were invited to the wedding feast and all knew what was required to be admitted when the bridegroom came. But only half were ready when he came.”

Matthew 25:8–12

Why were the wise virgins unable to share their oil with the foolish virgins?

The wise virgins’ actions indicate that a person’s preparation to meet the Savior cannot be transferred to another. Elder David A. Bednar taught: “Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share … ? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no.”

Matthew 25:14–30

What does the parable of the talents teach about the Second Coming?

(Compare to Luke 19:11–27.)

In the parable of the talents, Jesus talked about a master who gave three servants some talents. A talent was a unit of weight and referred to money. In other words, the servants were entrusted with the master’s business affairs. The servants were judged by what they did with the talents they had received. In the context of preparing for the Second Coming, the talents “represent any stewardship with which we are entrusted and must magnify to help build the kingdom.” President Lorenzo Snow observed, “You are held accountable to God for the honest use of the talent over which he has made you steward, whether it be large or small.”

Matthew 25:31–46

Whom do the sheep and the goats represent?

In biblical times, flocks could consist of both sheep and goats. In this parable, the separating of the sheep and goats represents the judgment that will occur at the Savior’s Second Coming. The sheep represent faithful disciples who had served the Savior by serving those in need. These will receive a place at the King’s right hand, representing a place of honor and power. The goats, on the other hand, represent those who had failed to serve the Savior because they did not serve those in need. They are surprised at being condemned for sins of omission. They will be assigned to the King’s left hand, representing disfavor.

Mark 12:41–44

What was a mite?

(Compare to Luke 21:1–4.)

both sides of a lepton, a bronze coin — Both sides of a lepton, a bronze coin minted during the century before the Savior’s ministry

The two mites that the widow donated to the temple treasury were small Jewish coins (leptons). Two mites were equal to one Roman penny (quadrans)—the smallest coinage in Rome. The amount of two mites was worth about ¹⁄₆₄ of a worker’s daily wage.

Luke 21:24

What is the “times of the Gentiles”?

This phrase appears only once in the Bible. Variations of this phrase appear multiple times in Restoration scripture. In New Testament times, the gospel was preached first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. In these latter days, the message of the restored gospel went first to the Gentile nations and will ultimately go to the Jews. This period of time when the Gentiles have precedence in receiving the gospel is called the “times of the Gentiles.”

Learn More

The Second Coming

Amy A. Wright, “Abide the Day in Christ,” Liahona, Nov. 2023, 9–12
Neil L. Andersen, “Drawing Closer to the Savior,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 73–76
D. Todd Christofferson, “Preparing for the Lord’s Return,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 81–84