Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Life has times of disappointments and unfilled dreams. Elisabeth is an excellent example of responding in faith to her disappointments and unfilled dreams. This week's readings also have great examples of faithfulness as we begin our study of the New Testament. In the video, we will also explore why Matthew emphasizes the genealogy of Jesus and what he is trying hard to teach us.
Gospels - Introduction
Gospels - Introduction
Gospel |
Exclusive |
Common |
Pages on Last Week |
Mark |
7% |
93% |
18 |
Matthew |
42% |
58% |
11 |
Luke |
59% |
41% |
13 |
John |
92% |
8% |
17 |
% of Gospels on Last Week = 33%
% of New Testament on Last Week = 15%
Matthew
Eusebius: "Mark, having become the interpreter/ translator of Peter, wrote down accurately, however not in order, all that he recalled of what was either said or done by the Lord. For he had neither heard nor followed the Lord but later (as I said) he followed Peter, who used to adapt his instructions to the needs of the moment or of the audience, but not with a view of making an orderly account of the Lord’s sayings. Accordingly, Mark did no wrong in thus writing down some things as he recalled them, for he made it his aim to omit nothing he had heard and to state nothing therein falsely."“
“Now Matthew arranged in order the sayings in the Hebrew (Aramaic language), and each one interpreted/translated as he was able." (EH 3.39.15-16)
Women in the Genealogy of Jesus
Matthew chooses to include the names of five noteworthy women in the genealogy of Jesus. The first four were either non-Israelites or were associated with non-Israelites. Here is a short background on each one:
What can we learn from Matthew’s inclusion of the first four women in the genealogy of Jesus Christ?
“First, it demonstrates that God had worked through Gentiles in the past, thus preparing Matthew’s readers to appreciate the commission to “teach all nations” that would come at the end of his Gospel (Matthew 28:19). Second, the mention of these particular women, each of whom figured in a controversy of some sort in the Old Testament, shows that in Israel’s past, God had worked through people and situations that the Jews would not have expected, thus preparing Matthew’s readers for the account that is immediately to follow—Mary and the virgin birth. Third, it shows all of us today that personal righteousness is not dependent on possessing the “perfect” lineage, since Jesus Christ’s lineage was not perfect. Finally, the inclusion of women in the Savior’s pedigree reflects the important truth that men and women are equal in the eyes of God.” (https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-matthew/chapter-2?lang=eng)
Matthew 1:25 What year was Christ born?
“Concerning the year in which Jesus Christ was born, “the Church has made no official declaration on the matter” (J. Reuben Clark Jr., Our Lord of the Gospels [1954], vi). The calendar currently used throughout most of the world was created many centuries after Jesus Christ lived, and experts disagree about how to use existing historical information to calculate the year of His birth. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: “This is not a settled issue. Perhaps also it does not matter too much as long as we have an accepted framework of time within which to relate the actual events of [Christ’s] life” (The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4 vols. [1979–81], 1:350).” ((https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-matthew/chapter-2?lang=eng
Three 14s in a row spell David: “Some scholars have suggested that Matthew’s inclusion of three sets of 14 generations (see Matthew 1:17) was purposeful and is significant because the number 14 is associated with the name-title “David.” Hebrew and other ancient languages used letters of the alphabet to represent numbers as well as sounds. The Hebrew letters in the name David carry a numeric value of 14 (the letters in the name David [D-V-D] are 4 and 6 and 4 = 14). Since the promised Messiah was to be born into the lineage of David, some scholars have speculated that Matthew may have divided the genealogy as he did to subtly emphasize that Jesus Christ was the long-awaited Davidic Messiah. Also, the number 14 is double the number 7, which is the number signifying perfection and completeness. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of divine perfection and completeness.” (https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-matthew/chapter-2?lang=eng)
Elder James E. Talmage: “Had Judah been a free and independent nation, ruled by her rightful sovereign, Joseph the carpenter would have been crowned King, and his lawful successor to the throne would have been Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (Jesus the Christ, p. 87)
The names and titles given to Christ teach us about Him, His Character and His Mission. As we study the New Testament, look for these names and titles and what they teach us about Jesus the Christ.
Elder Bruce R McConkie: “Can we speak too highly of her whom the Lord has blessed above all women?
"There was only one Christ, and there is only one Mary. Each was noble and great in preexistence and each was foreordained to the ministry he or she performed.
“We cannot but think that the Father would choose the greatest female spirit to be the mother of his Son, even as he chose the male spirit like unto him to be the savior. (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Mortal Messiah Vol 1 p 326-327)
In the first century, marriage was:
“Betrothal was legally and religiously more significant than the subsequent marriage ceremony, after which the couple began living together. Betrothal was regarded as the final part of a solemn covenant. It carried the force of a covenant to be honored between God-fearing parties (see Genesis 2:24; Ezekiel 16:8; Ephesians 5:21–33). Though betrothed couples were legally regarded as husband and wife (see Deuteronomy 22:23–24), between the time of betrothal and the wedding ceremony, a strict code of chastity was enforced (see Matthew 1:18, 25).” (https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-matthew/chapter-2?lang=eng)
Four Dreams of Joseph
Gospel of Luke
Luke specifically addressed His gospel to “Theophilus” (Luke 1:3), which in Greek means “friend of God” or “beloved of God” (see Bible Dictionary, “Theophilus”). It is apparent that Theophilus had received previous instruction concerning the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (see Luke 1:4). Luke hoped to provide further instruction by offering a systematic account of the Savior’s mission and ministry. He wanted those who read his testimony to “know the certainty” (Luke 1:4) of the Son of God—His compassion, Atonement, and Resurrection.
“Centuries before the birth of Jesus, King David had divided the priests of Israel into 24 families (called “courses”), each of which was called to serve in the temple twice a year for one week each time. Zacharias belonged to the priestly family of Abia (also called Abijah; see 1 Chronicles 23:1-6; 24:1-19). Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 1:8 replaces the word course with priesthood (see Luke 1:8, footnote b). The priests drew lots to determine who among them would receive the high honor of offering incense within the temple. Because of the large number of priests, the opportunity to burn incense was a rare privilege, one that would have been a high point in Zacharias’s life of service as a priest.” (https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-the-gospel-according-to-st-luke/chapter-15-luke-1-3?lang=eng)
“Elisabeth represents disappointment and unfilled dreams… It is with Elisabeth that the Lord begins his miracles [in the New Testament] in a physical, palpable way: “Elisabeth conceived” (Luke 1:14).” (Brown, The Testimony of Luke, p. 85)
According to Mishnah Tamid 5.2, a priest can offer the incense once in his lifetime.
“The right side is from the angel’s point of view … We envision that the angel appears between the altar and candlestick, between the light and smoke, symbols of God's presence during the Exodus.” (Brown, The Testimony of Luke, p. 98)
“John’s mission was so important that prophets knew about it hundreds of years beforehand (see Isa. 40:3–5; Mal. 3:1; 1 Ne. 10:7–10; 1 Ne. 11:27; 2 Ne. 31:4, 8). The Prophet Joseph Smith said that John the Baptist “had his authority from God, and the oracles of God were with him, and the kingdom of God for a season seemed to rest with John alone. … [He] was a priest after his father, and held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, and … was a legal administrator … ; for no man could have better authority to administer than John; and our Savior submitted to that authority Himself, by being baptized by John.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, pp. 272–73).
“The angel Gabriel outlined the mission of John and proclaimed:
In Luke 1, Zachariah is having physical challenges and has been reproved by an angel. BUT he remains and completes his assignments. He is a remarkable example of faithfulness to priesthood duties.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Naming of children and circumcision of male members of the house of Israel took place on the eighth day. In the case of John, he ‘was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old’—not to the Aaronic Priesthood, for such would come later, after his baptism and other preparation, but—‘unto this power, to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power.’ (D. & C. 84:28.) That is, at this solemn eighth day cer
Teaching Thoughts:
1.How did Elisabeth respond to life’s disappointments and unfilled dreams?
2.How was Zacharias an example of faithfulness?
3.Why does Matthew emphasize the genealogy of Jesus?
4.“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
% of New Testament on Last Week = 15%
Matthew
- A Jew writing to Jews
- Assumes readers know the Law of Moses and the Old Testament
- Describes life in stories
- Written no earlier than 65 AD
- 42% unique – 58% common
Eusebius: "Mark, having become the interpreter/ translator of Peter, wrote down accurately, however not in order, all that he recalled of what was either said or done by the Lord. For he had neither heard nor followed the Lord but later (as I said) he followed Peter, who used to adapt his instructions to the needs of the moment or of the audience, but not with a view of making an orderly account of the Lord’s sayings. Accordingly, Mark did no wrong in thus writing down some things as he recalled them, for he made it his aim to omit nothing he had heard and to state nothing therein falsely."“
“Now Matthew arranged in order the sayings in the Hebrew (Aramaic language), and each one interpreted/translated as he was able." (EH 3.39.15-16)
Women in the Genealogy of Jesus
Matthew chooses to include the names of five noteworthy women in the genealogy of Jesus. The first four were either non-Israelites or were associated with non-Israelites. Here is a short background on each one:
- Tamar – In Genesis chapter 38, Tamar is married to Judah’s oldest of three sons. But the son soon dies without children. The second son then marries Tamar to provide offspring for the deceased brother, but the second son also dies. Although Judah promises Tamar that he will give her his third son, Shelah, he is fearful that Shelah, too, may die if he marries Tamar. Judah therefore deceives Tamar by telling her that Shelah is still too young for marriage and she should wait a while. She has a long wait. Shelah grows up, but Judah makes no wedding plans. Tamar poses as a veiled prostitute on the road. Judah, now a widower, sees her and is attracted to her. He sleeps with her, and he promises to pay her one goat. As a pledge for the payment he leaves, among other things, an article of his clothing. When Judah sends to redeem his pledge, she is nowhere to be found. Sometime later, Judah learns that his daughter-in-law is pregnant. since Tamar is still officially bound to Judah’s son Shelah, this is the equivalent of adultery. Judah says that Tamar should be burned for this offense, but Tamar produces Judah’s pledge items and says, “Recognize these.” He does–and acknowledges that he has wronged her.
- Rahab – In Joshua chapter 2 spies are sent to Jericho and they are received and concealed by the harlot Rahab. She assists the spies by betraying her people. Rahab expresses her faith to the spies as she said “ I know that the Lord hath given you the land … For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; … And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Jacob 2:9-11). That Rahab’s faith in Jehovah was sincere is supported by the fact that both Paul and James cited her as an example of faith (see Hebrews 11:31; James 2:5).
- Ruth – from the land of Moab and marries an Israelite. Both her husband and her father-in-law die, and she helps her mother-in-law, Naomi, find protection. The two of them travel to Bethlehem together, where Ruth wins the love of Boaz through her kindness.
- Bathsheba – the wife of Uriah the Hittite and later of David the King. She was summoned by King David, who had seen her bathing and lusted after her.
- Mary, the mother of Jesus.
What can we learn from Matthew’s inclusion of the first four women in the genealogy of Jesus Christ?
“First, it demonstrates that God had worked through Gentiles in the past, thus preparing Matthew’s readers to appreciate the commission to “teach all nations” that would come at the end of his Gospel (Matthew 28:19). Second, the mention of these particular women, each of whom figured in a controversy of some sort in the Old Testament, shows that in Israel’s past, God had worked through people and situations that the Jews would not have expected, thus preparing Matthew’s readers for the account that is immediately to follow—Mary and the virgin birth. Third, it shows all of us today that personal righteousness is not dependent on possessing the “perfect” lineage, since Jesus Christ’s lineage was not perfect. Finally, the inclusion of women in the Savior’s pedigree reflects the important truth that men and women are equal in the eyes of God.” (https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-matthew/chapter-2?lang=eng)
Matthew 1:25 What year was Christ born?
“Concerning the year in which Jesus Christ was born, “the Church has made no official declaration on the matter” (J. Reuben Clark Jr., Our Lord of the Gospels [1954], vi). The calendar currently used throughout most of the world was created many centuries after Jesus Christ lived, and experts disagree about how to use existing historical information to calculate the year of His birth. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote: “This is not a settled issue. Perhaps also it does not matter too much as long as we have an accepted framework of time within which to relate the actual events of [Christ’s] life” (The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4 vols. [1979–81], 1:350).” ((https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-matthew/chapter-2?lang=eng
Three 14s in a row spell David: “Some scholars have suggested that Matthew’s inclusion of three sets of 14 generations (see Matthew 1:17) was purposeful and is significant because the number 14 is associated with the name-title “David.” Hebrew and other ancient languages used letters of the alphabet to represent numbers as well as sounds. The Hebrew letters in the name David carry a numeric value of 14 (the letters in the name David [D-V-D] are 4 and 6 and 4 = 14). Since the promised Messiah was to be born into the lineage of David, some scholars have speculated that Matthew may have divided the genealogy as he did to subtly emphasize that Jesus Christ was the long-awaited Davidic Messiah. Also, the number 14 is double the number 7, which is the number signifying perfection and completeness. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of divine perfection and completeness.” (https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-matthew/chapter-2?lang=eng)
Elder James E. Talmage: “Had Judah been a free and independent nation, ruled by her rightful sovereign, Joseph the carpenter would have been crowned King, and his lawful successor to the throne would have been Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (Jesus the Christ, p. 87)
The names and titles given to Christ teach us about Him, His Character and His Mission. As we study the New Testament, look for these names and titles and what they teach us about Jesus the Christ.
- Christ (Χριστός) = "anointed" (Mathew 1:1, 16, 17, 18).
- Jesus (Gr. Ἰησοῦς) = "Jehovah is salvation" (Mathew 1:21).
- Emmanuel (Gr. Ἐμμανουήλ) = "God with us" (Matthew 1:23 and Isaiah 7:14).
Elder Bruce R McConkie: “Can we speak too highly of her whom the Lord has blessed above all women?
"There was only one Christ, and there is only one Mary. Each was noble and great in preexistence and each was foreordained to the ministry he or she performed.
“We cannot but think that the Father would choose the greatest female spirit to be the mother of his Son, even as he chose the male spirit like unto him to be the savior. (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Mortal Messiah Vol 1 p 326-327)
In the first century, marriage was:
- Spouse selected by parents.
- Parents and other family members were involved in negotiations.
- The longer the negotiations, the higher the perceived value of the bride.
- Transactional – it involved a dowry or “bride price” from the family of the groom.
- Betrothal (espousal) is contractual. It demands legal action to break the agreement.
- A husband could divorce his wife for minor offenses such as speaking to a man in the market.
“Betrothal was legally and religiously more significant than the subsequent marriage ceremony, after which the couple began living together. Betrothal was regarded as the final part of a solemn covenant. It carried the force of a covenant to be honored between God-fearing parties (see Genesis 2:24; Ezekiel 16:8; Ephesians 5:21–33). Though betrothed couples were legally regarded as husband and wife (see Deuteronomy 22:23–24), between the time of betrothal and the wedding ceremony, a strict code of chastity was enforced (see Matthew 1:18, 25).” (https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-matthew/chapter-2?lang=eng)
Four Dreams of Joseph
- Dream 1: Marry Mary (Matt 1:20)
- Dream 2: Flee to Egypt (Matt 2:13)
- Dream 3: Return from Egypt (Matt 2:19)
- Dream 4: Don’t fear Archelaus (Matt 2:22)
Gospel of Luke
Luke specifically addressed His gospel to “Theophilus” (Luke 1:3), which in Greek means “friend of God” or “beloved of God” (see Bible Dictionary, “Theophilus”). It is apparent that Theophilus had received previous instruction concerning the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (see Luke 1:4). Luke hoped to provide further instruction by offering a systematic account of the Savior’s mission and ministry. He wanted those who read his testimony to “know the certainty” (Luke 1:4) of the Son of God—His compassion, Atonement, and Resurrection.
- A gentile writing to gentiles
- “A messenger of Jesus Christ” (Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 1:1 [in Luke 1:1, footnote a]).
- He appeals to philosophical minds
- Emphasizes women, love, peace and compassion
- Physician (see Colossians 4:14)
- Luke’s sources were people who “from the beginning were eyewitnesses” (Luke 1:2) of the Savior’s mortal ministry and Resurrection.
- 59% unique – 41% common
- Luke’s Gospel begins and concludes at the temple, it also signals the temple’s importance as a principal location of God’s dealings with mankind (see Luke 1:9; 24:53).
“Centuries before the birth of Jesus, King David had divided the priests of Israel into 24 families (called “courses”), each of which was called to serve in the temple twice a year for one week each time. Zacharias belonged to the priestly family of Abia (also called Abijah; see 1 Chronicles 23:1-6; 24:1-19). Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 1:8 replaces the word course with priesthood (see Luke 1:8, footnote b). The priests drew lots to determine who among them would receive the high honor of offering incense within the temple. Because of the large number of priests, the opportunity to burn incense was a rare privilege, one that would have been a high point in Zacharias’s life of service as a priest.” (https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-student-manual/introduction-to-the-gospel-according-to-st-luke/chapter-15-luke-1-3?lang=eng)
“Elisabeth represents disappointment and unfilled dreams… It is with Elisabeth that the Lord begins his miracles [in the New Testament] in a physical, palpable way: “Elisabeth conceived” (Luke 1:14).” (Brown, The Testimony of Luke, p. 85)
According to Mishnah Tamid 5.2, a priest can offer the incense once in his lifetime.
“The right side is from the angel’s point of view … We envision that the angel appears between the altar and candlestick, between the light and smoke, symbols of God's presence during the Exodus.” (Brown, The Testimony of Luke, p. 98)
“John’s mission was so important that prophets knew about it hundreds of years beforehand (see Isa. 40:3–5; Mal. 3:1; 1 Ne. 10:7–10; 1 Ne. 11:27; 2 Ne. 31:4, 8). The Prophet Joseph Smith said that John the Baptist “had his authority from God, and the oracles of God were with him, and the kingdom of God for a season seemed to rest with John alone. … [He] was a priest after his father, and held the keys of the Aaronic Priesthood, and … was a legal administrator … ; for no man could have better authority to administer than John; and our Savior submitted to that authority Himself, by being baptized by John.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, pp. 272–73).
“The angel Gabriel outlined the mission of John and proclaimed:
- Many shall rejoice at his birth (v.14)
- Great in the sight of the Lord (v. 15)
- Drink neither wine nor strong drink (v. 15)
- Be filled with the Holy Ghost (v. 15)
- Many of the children of the Lord shall he turn to the Lord their God (v. 16)
- He shall go before him [Christ] in the spirit and power of Elias (v. 17)
- Turn the hearts of the fathers to the children (v. 17)
- To make ready a people prepared for the Lord (v. 17) (Robert J. Matthews, Behold the Messiah [1994], 46).
In Luke 1, Zachariah is having physical challenges and has been reproved by an angel. BUT he remains and completes his assignments. He is a remarkable example of faithfulness to priesthood duties.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Naming of children and circumcision of male members of the house of Israel took place on the eighth day. In the case of John, he ‘was ordained by the angel of God at the time he was eight days old’—not to the Aaronic Priesthood, for such would come later, after his baptism and other preparation, but—‘unto this power, to overthrow the kingdom of the Jews, and to make straight the way of the Lord before the face of his people, to prepare them for the coming of the Lord, in whose hand is given all power.’ (D. & C. 84:28.) That is, at this solemn eighth day cer
Teaching Thoughts:
1.How did Elisabeth respond to life’s disappointments and unfilled dreams?
2.How was Zacharias an example of faithfulness?
3.Why does Matthew emphasize the genealogy of Jesus?
4.“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”