3 Nephi 15
People in this chapter
Jesus has just finished a sermon the Nephites had never heard, though His disciples in Galilee had. Now He looks around at the multitude and perceives that some of them are wondering what he would concerning the law of Moses (v. 2). For six hundred years their fathers had kept that law and offered its sacrifices, looking forward to Christ. Now He is here. What happens to it?
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3 Nephi 15:1-3Whoso Remembereth These Sayings of Mine and Doeth Them
1And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ended these sayings he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and said unto them: Behold, ye have heard the things which I taught before I ascended to my Father; therefore, whoso remembereth these sayings of mine and doeth them, him will I raise up at the last day.
Jesus tells the people they have now heard what He taught before He ascended. Whoever remembers His words and does them, He will raise up at the last day.
2And it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he perceived that there were some among them who marveled, and wondered what he would concerning the law of Moses; for they understood not the saying that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new. 3And he said unto them: Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.
Some people were puzzled. Jesus had said that old things had passed away. What did that mean for the law of Moses they had always kept? Jesus sees their question and answers it.
3 Nephi 15:4-10I Am He That Gave the Law
4Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses. 5Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end.
The law of Moses was given to point people to Christ. Now that He has come and made His sacrifice, that law has done its work and comes to an end.
6Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled. 7And because I said unto you that old things have passed away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come. 8For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me.
The law of Moses has ended, but God's covenant with Israel has not. Prophecies about the future are still going to be fulfilled.
9Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life. 10Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me.
Jesus says He is now the law and the light. If we look to Him and endure to the end, we will live. The law and the prophets had always testified of Him.
3 Nephi 15:11-20Ye Are a Light unto This People
11And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words, he said unto those twelve whom he had chosen: 12Ye are my disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph. 13And behold, this is the land of your inheritance; and the Father hath given it unto you.
Jesus turns to the twelve disciples. He tells them they are a light to their people, who are a remnant of the house of Joseph.
14And not at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell it unto your brethren at Jerusalem. 15Neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house of Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land. 16This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them: 17That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 18And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them.
The Father never told Jesus to tell the people in Jerusalem about the Nephites or the other tribes. He told them only one thing: that He had other sheep. Because of their unbelief, they did not understand.
19But, verily, I say unto you that the Father hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity; therefore it is because of their iniquity that they know not of you. 20And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of them.
The Nephites and the other tribes of Israel had been separated from the Jews. Jesus says the reason the Jews did not know about them was the Jews' own iniquity.
3 Nephi 15:21-24Ye Are My Sheep
21And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
22And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching. 23And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice—that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost.
In Jerusalem, people thought the other sheep meant the Gentiles. But Jesus never showed Himself to the Gentiles in person. They would hear Him through the Holy Ghost and through the preaching of His disciples.
24But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me.
Jesus tells the Nephites that they have heard His voice and seen Him. They are His sheep, given to Him by the Father.
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.
- Law of MosesWhat the law of Moses was, how it pointed to Christ, and why it was fulfilled in Him (vv. 4-10).
- JehovahScriptures showing that Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament, is the premortal Jesus Christ, the One who says I am he that gave the law (v. 5).
- Good ShepherdGathers the scriptures on Christ as the Shepherd, including John 10 and the other sheep of verses 17-24.
- IsraelBackground on the house of Israel, the house of Joseph, and the other tribes the Father led away out of the land (vv. 12-20).
Where this echoes in Scripture
Whoso Remembereth These Sayings of Mine and Doeth Them
- 3 Nephi 14:24Whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock.
- 3 Nephi 12:47Old things are done away, and all things have become new.The saying the people did not understand.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- John 6:40Every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
I Am He That Gave the Law
- 1 Corinthians 10:4They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
- Matthew 5:17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
- Mosiah 13:29-31A law of performances and of ordinances... types of things to come.Abinadi on the purpose of the law.
- Helaman 8:15As many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live.
- Luke 24:27Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Ye Are a Light unto This People
- 3 Nephi 12:14Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people.
- Genesis 49:22Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.
- 1 Nephi 22:4The more part of all the tribes have been led away... and whither they are none of us knoweth.
- Alma 12:9According to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.Why the Lord said less in Jerusalem.
Ye Are My Sheep
- John 10:14-16I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep... Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold.The saying Jesus explains in verse 21.
- Ezekiel 34:11-12I will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
- Acts 10:44-45On the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- Alma 5:38The good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you.
- D&C 10:59-60Other sheep have I which are not of this fold... I will show unto this people that I had other sheep.