3 Nephi 19
People in this chapter
Jesus has ascended, and the people go home. But the news does not wait for morning. All night it spreads that Jesus had come and would come again tomorrow, and an exceedingly great number work through the night to be there (vv. 2-3).
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3 Nephi 19:1-3It Was Noised Abroad
1And now it came to pass that when Jesus had ascended into heaven, the multitude did disperse, and every man did take his wife and his children and did return to his own home. 2And it was noised abroad among the people immediately, before it was yet dark, that the multitude had seen Jesus, and that he had ministered unto them, and that he would also show himself on the morrow unto the multitude. 3Yea, and even all the night it was noised abroad concerning Jesus; and insomuch did they send forth unto the people that there were many, yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude.
The people go home. That same night the news spreads that Jesus had come and would come again tomorrow. Many people work all night to be there.
3 Nephi 19:4-8Nothing Varying from the Words Which Jesus Had Spoken
4And it came to pass that on the morrow, when the multitude was gathered together, behold, Nephi and his brother whom he had raised from the dead, whose name was Timothy, and also his son, whose name was Jonas, and also Mathoni, and Mathonihah, his brother, and Kumen, and Kumenonhi, and Jeremiah, and Shemnon, and Jonas, and Zedekiah, and Isaiah—now these were the names of the disciples whom Jesus had chosen—and it came to pass that they went forth and stood in the midst of the multitude. 5And behold, the multitude was so great that they did cause that they should be separated into twelve bodies.
Mormon names the twelve disciples. Nephi is first. His brother Timothy, whom Nephi had raised from the dead, and his son Jonas are also among them. The multitude is so large that it is split into twelve groups.
6And the twelve did teach the multitude; and behold, they did cause that the multitude should kneel down upon the face of the earth, and should pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus. 7And the disciples did pray unto the Father also in the name of Jesus. And it came to pass that they arose and ministered unto the people. 8And when they had ministered those same words which Jesus had spoken—nothing varying from the words which Jesus had spoken—behold, they knelt again and prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus.
The twelve have the people kneel and pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. Then they teach exactly what Jesus had taught the day before, without changing anything.
3 Nephi 19:9-15Filled with the Holy Ghost and with Fire
The twelve pray for what they want most, and what they want most is the Holy Ghost.
10And when they had thus prayed they went down unto the water's edge, and the multitude followed them. 11And it came to pass that Nephi went down into the water and was baptized. 12And he came up out of the water and began to baptize. And he baptized all those whom Jesus had chosen.
The twelve go to the water. Nephi is baptized first, and then he baptizes the other eleven.
13And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire. 14And behold, they were encircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them. 15And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them.
When the twelve come out of the water, the Holy Ghost falls on them. They are filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire, encircled by fire from heaven, and angels minister to them. Then Jesus comes and stands among them.
3 Nephi 19:16-23Father, I Thank Thee
16And it came to pass that he spake unto the multitude, and commanded them that they should kneel down again upon the earth, and also that his disciples should kneel down upon the earth. 17And it came to pass that when they had all knelt down upon the earth, he commanded his disciples that they should pray. 18And behold, they began to pray; and they did pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God.
Jesus has everyone kneel, and He tells His disciples to pray. They pray to Jesus Himself, calling Him their Lord and their God.
19And it came to pass that Jesus departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed himself to the earth, and he said: 20Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world. 21Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words. 22Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them. 23And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one.
Jesus thanks the Father for giving the Holy Ghost to the twelve. Then He asks the Father to give the Holy Ghost to everyone who believes their words.
3 Nephi 19:24-30They Did Not Multiply Many Words
24And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.
The disciples keep praying, but they do not use many words. The Spirit gives them what to pray, and they are filled with desire.
25And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof. 26And Jesus said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray. 27And he turned from them again, and went a little way off and bowed himself to the earth; and he prayed again unto the Father, saying: 28Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me. 29Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them. 30And when Jesus had spoken these words he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly, without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold they were white, even as Jesus.
Jesus tells the disciples to keep praying. He goes aside again and thanks the Father that they have been purified because of their faith. He prays for them and for everyone who will believe their words.
3 Nephi 19:31-36So Great Faith Have I Never Seen
31And it came to pass that he went again a little way off and prayed unto the Father; 32And tongue cannot speak the words which he prayed, neither can be written by man the words which he prayed. 33And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed. 34Nevertheless, so great and marvelous were the words which he prayed that they cannot be written, neither can they be uttered by man.
Jesus prays a third time. His words were too great to be spoken or written, but the people understood them in their hearts.
35And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying he came again to the disciples, and said unto them: So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles, because of their unbelief. 36Verily I say unto you, there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen; neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard.
Jesus tells the disciples He has never seen such great faith among the Jews. Because of their unbelief, He could not show them such great miracles.
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.
- Holy GhostScriptures on the gift of the Holy Ghost the disciples pray for in verse 9 and receive in verse 13.
- PrayerScriptures on prayer to the Father in the name of Christ, and on asking for what the Spirit gives (vv. 6-9, 24).
- God, GodheadThe Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost as three separate beings, one in purpose, all present in verses 20-23.
- DiscipleWhat it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, with references to the twelve Nephite disciples named in verse 4.
Where this echoes in Scripture
It Was Noised Abroad
- Luke 2:15-16Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing... And they came with haste.
- 3 Nephi 17:3Go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said.
- Mark 1:45He went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter... and they came to him from every quarter.
Nothing Varying from the Words Which Jesus Had Spoken
- 3 Nephi 7:19Even his brother did he raise from the dead, after he had been stoned and suffered death by the people.Timothy, raised by Nephi.
- 3 Nephi 18:19Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name.
- D&C 1:38Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
- Matthew 28:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.
Filled with the Holy Ghost and with Fire
- Luke 11:13How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
- Matthew 3:11He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
- Acts 2:3-4There appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.
- 2 Nephi 31:13Then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
Father, I Thank Thee
- John 17:20-21Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one.
- John 20:28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
- Matthew 26:39He went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father.
- D&C 130:22The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost... is a personage of Spirit.
They Did Not Multiply Many Words
- Romans 8:26We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us.
- 3 Nephi 13:7When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
- Matthew 17:2His face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
- Moroni 7:48That we may be purified even as he is pure.
- D&C 46:30He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God.
So Great Faith Have I Never Seen
- Matthew 13:58He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
- Matthew 8:10I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
- 2 Corinthians 12:4Heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
- D&C 8:2I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost.
- Ether 12:12If there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them.