3 Nephi 14

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This is the last part of the sermon Jesus gave at the temple on the first day He came. For two chapters He has taught the blessings of discipleship and a higher law written in the heart. For the last several verses He has been speaking only to the twelve about trusting God for their daily needs (3 Nephi 13:25-34). Now he turned again to the multitude (v. 1).

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3 Nephi 14:1-6Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged

1And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he turned again to the multitude, and did open his mouth unto them again, saying: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Jesus had been speaking to the twelve disciples. Now He turns back to everyone and continues teaching.

Jesus warns against judging others unfairly. The way we judge others is the way we will be judged.

3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother's eye.

A mote is a speck of dust. A beam is a large piece of wood. Jesus says to deal with our own big faults first. Then we will see clearly enough to help others.

6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Sacred things should be shared with care. Pearls thrown to pigs are trampled, and holy things given to those who mock them can be treated the same way.

3 Nephi 14:7-12Ask, Seek, Knock

7Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 8For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

Jesus promises that when we ask, seek, and knock, Heavenly Father will answer. The promise is for everyone.

9Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Even imperfect parents give their children good things. Heavenly Father is perfect, so we can trust Him to give us what is good.

12Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.

Treat other people the way you want to be treated. Jesus says this sums up the law and the prophets.

3 Nephi 14:13-14Strait Is the Gate

13Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat; 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

There are two roads. The broad road is easy and crowded, and it leads to destruction. The narrow road leads to life, and fewer people find it.

3 Nephi 14:15-20By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

15Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

False prophets can look harmless on the outside, like sheep, while they are dangerous on the inside, like wolves.

17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.

We can tell what kind of tree it is by the fruit it grows. In the same way, we can tell whether a teacher is true by what their teachings produce.

3 Nephi 14:21-27Whoso Heareth These Sayings of Mine and Doeth Them

21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Calling Jesus "Lord" is not enough. Those who enter the kingdom are those who do the Father's will. Some who did impressive things in His name will hear, "I never knew you."

24Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock— 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand— 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Both houses face the same storm. The difference is what each house is built on. The house on the rock stands, and the house on the sand falls.

Research trail

Sources & further study

These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.

Where this echoes in Scripture

Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged

Ask, Seek, Knock

Strait Is the Gate

By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

Whoso Heareth These Sayings of Mine and Doeth Them