3 Nephi 23
People in this chapter
Jesus has just quoted Isaiah 54 in full. Now He tells the people what to do with it: a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah (v. 1). Isaiah spoke of all things concerning the house of Israel, and his words have been and shall be (v. 3).
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3 Nephi 23:1-5Great Are the Words of Isaiah
1And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. 2For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles. 3And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.
Jesus gives a commandment: search Isaiah diligently. Isaiah spoke about all of Israel and the Gentiles too, and everything he said either has happened or will happen.
4Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles. 5And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things.
Jesus tells them to write what He has taught, because the Father will send it to the Gentiles. Whoever listens, repents, and is baptized will be saved.
3 Nephi 23:6-13Was It Not So?
6And now it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he said unto them again, after he had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received, he said unto them: Behold, other scriptures I would that ye should write, that ye have not. 7And it came to pass that he said unto Nephi: Bring forth the record which ye have kept. 8And when Nephi had brought forth the records, and laid them before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said:
Jesus says there are other scriptures He wants them to write. Then He asks Nephi to bring the records the people had kept, and He looks them over.
9Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so? 10And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled.
Jesus says He commanded Samuel the Lamanite to prophesy that saints would rise from the dead when He rose. He asks if it happened, and the disciples say yes, all of it was fulfilled.
11And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them? 12And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written. 13And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be written; therefore it was written according as he commanded.
The fulfillment of Samuel's prophecy had not been written down. Nephi remembered, and Jesus commanded that it be written. It was.
3 Nephi 23:14He Expounded All the Scriptures in One
14And now it came to pass that when Jesus had expounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written, he commanded them that they should teach the things which he had expounded unto them.
After teaching them, Jesus commands the disciples to teach others what He taught them.
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.
- IsaiahBackground on the prophet whose words Jesus calls great (v. 1), with a list of the places the Book of Mormon quotes him.
- Samuel the LamaniteThe prophet whose prophecy of the dead rising (Helaman 14:25) Jesus asks about; its fulfillment is then added to the record.
- ResurrectionScriptures on the resurrection of the Savior and of the saints who rose with Him (v. 9).
- ScripturesScriptures on searching, keeping, and teaching the word of God, the three commands of this chapter.
Where this echoes in Scripture
Great Are the Words of Isaiah
- John 5:39Search the scriptures... they are they which testify of me.
- 2 Nephi 25:4The words of Isaiah... are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy.
- 1 Nephi 19:23I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.
- 3 Nephi 11:33Whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved.
- D&C 1:37Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful.
Was It Not So?
- Helaman 14:25And many graves shall be opened, and shall yield up many of their dead; and many saints shall appear unto many.Samuel's prophecy.
- Matthew 27:52-53Many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-23Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
- Helaman 13:5I, Samuel, a Lamanite, do speak the words of the Lord which he doth put into my heart.
- D&C 127:9Let all the records be had in order.
He Expounded All the Scriptures in One
- Luke 24:27Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
- Luke 24:32Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
- Mosiah 18:19Teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets.
- 3 Nephi 26:1-2These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you.The Malachi chapters that follow.