Luke 3

Read on churchofjesuschrist.org (with footnotes)

1Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituræa and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 1

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests,
IV v. 1 (Inspired Version, 1867)

2Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 2

Now in this same year, the word of God came unto John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
IV v. 2 (Inspired Version, 1867)

3And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

4As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 4

As it is written in the book of the prophet Esaias; and these are the words, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord and make his paths straight.
IV v. 4 (Inspired Version, 1867)

JST insertionbetween v. 4 and v. 5

For behold, and lo, he shall come, as it is written in the book of the prophets: to take away the sins of the world and to bring salvation unto the heathen nations; to gather together those who are lost, who are of the sheepfold of Israel, Yea, even the dispersed and afflicted; and also to prepare the way and make possible the preaching of the gospel unto the Gentiles; And to be a light unto all who sit in darkness, unto the uttermost parts of the earth; to bring to pass the resurrection from the dead; and to ascend up on high, to dwell on the right hand of the Father, Until the fullness of time, and the law and the testimony shall be sealed, and the keys of the kingdom shall be delivered up again unto the Father; To administer justice unto all; to come down in judgment upon all and to convince all the ungodly of their ungodly deeds, which they have committed; and all this in the day that he shall come.

IV vv. 5–9 (Inspired Version, 1867)

5Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 5

For it is a day of power; yea, every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth;
IV v. 10 (Inspired Version, 1867)

6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

7Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 7

Then said John to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, crying against them with a loud voice, saying, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
IV v. 12 (Inspired Version, 1867)

8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 8

Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, Abraham is our father; we have kept the commandments of God, and none can inherit the promises but the children of Abraham; for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
IV v. 13 (Inspired Version, 1867)

9And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 9

And now also, the axe is laid unto the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, which bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire.
IV v. 14 (Inspired Version, 1867)

10And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 11

He answered and said unto them, He who hath two coats, let him impart to him who hath none; and he who hath meat, let him do likewise.
IV v. 16 (Inspired Version, 1867)

12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

13And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 13

And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed unto you.
IV v. 18 (Inspired Version, 1867)

14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

15And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;

16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 16

John answered, saying unto all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire,
IV v. 23 (Inspired Version, 1867)

17Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 17

Whose fan is in his hand; and he will thoroughly purge his floor and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
IV v. 24 (Inspired Version, 1867)

18And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

19But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 19

But Herod, the tetrarch, being reproved of him for Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
IV v. 26 (Inspired Version, 1867)

20Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

21Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 21

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also came unto John; and being baptized of him, and praying, the heaven was opened;
IV v. 28 (Inspired Version, 1867)

22And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 22

And the Holy Ghost descended in bodily shape like a dove upon him; and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
IV v. 29 (Inspired Version, 1867)

23And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 23

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, having lived with his father, being, as was supposed of the world, the son of Joseph, who was from the loins of Heli,
IV v. 30 (Inspired Version, 1867)

24Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 24

Who was from the loins of Matthat, who was the son of Levi, who was a descendant of Melchi, and of Janna, and of Joseph,
IV v. 31 (Inspired Version, 1867)

25Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 25

And of Mattathias, and of Amos, and of Naum, and of Esli, and of Nagge,
IV v. 32 (Inspired Version, 1867)

26Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 26

And of Maath, and of Mattathias, and of Semei, and of Joseph, and of Juda,
IV v. 33 (Inspired Version, 1867)

27Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 27

And of Joanna, and of Resa, and of Zorobabel, and of Salathiel, who was the son of Neri,
IV v. 34 (Inspired Version, 1867)

28Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 28

Who was a descendant of Melchi, and of Addi, and of Cosam, and of Elmodam, and of Er,
IV v. 35 (Inspired Version, 1867)

29Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 29

And of Jose, and of Eliezer, and of Joram, and of Matthat, and of Levi,
IV v. 36 (Inspired Version, 1867)

30Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 30

And of Simeon, and of Juda, and of Joseph, and of Jonan, and of Eliakim,
IV v. 37 (Inspired Version, 1867)

31Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 31

And of Melea, and of Menan, and of Mattatha, and of Nathan, and of David,
IV v. 38 (Inspired Version, 1867)

32Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 32

And of Jesse, and of Obed, and of Booz, and of Salmon, and of Naasson,
IV v. 39 (Inspired Version, 1867)

33Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 33

And of Aminadab, and of Aram, and of Esrom, and of Phares, and of Juda,
IV v. 40 (Inspired Version, 1867)

34Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 34

And of Jacob, and of Isaac, and of Abraham, and of Thara, and of Nachor,
IV v. 41 (Inspired Version, 1867)

35Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 35

And of Saruch, and of Ragau, and of Phalec, and of Heber, and of Sala,
IV v. 42 (Inspired Version, 1867)

36Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 36

And of Cainan, and of Arphaxad, and of Shem, and of Noah, and of Lamech,
IV v. 43 (Inspired Version, 1867)

37Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 37

And of Mathusala, and of Enoch, and of Jared, and of Maleleel, and of Cainan,
IV v. 44 (Inspired Version, 1867)

38Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 38

And of Enos, and of Seth, and of Adam, who was formed of God, and the first man upon the earth.
IV v. 45 (Inspired Version, 1867)

Also cited in commentary

1 Nephi 10 — The Coming Messiah, the Olive Tree in Seed, and the Doctrine of Personal Revelation
- The forerunner — and the named place
- Where this lands
1 Nephi 11 — The Condescension of God and the Catechetical Tree
- The Lamb's ministry — baptism, apostles, miracles
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 12 — Isaiah 2 — The Mountain of the Lord's House and the Day of the Lord
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 20 — Isaiah 10 — The Assyrian as the Lord's Rod, the Remnant Returns, the Cedars Cut Down
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 31 — The Doctrine of Christ — Baptism, the Holy Ghost, and the Strait Way
- Where this lands
Alma 15 — Believest Thou in the Power of Christ unto Salvation — Zeezrom Healed, Amulek Forsakes All, and the Quiet Restoration at Sidom
- Amulek's costly discipleship
- The chapter's architecture
Jarom 1 — Jarom — A Short Book on Purpose: Keeping the Law of Moses While Looking Forward to Christ, and the Prophets Who Kept a Hard People Alive
- Where this lands
- Why write so little
Mosiah 6 — The Names Recorded — Priests Appointed, Mosiah Anointed, Benjamin Departed, and Three Years of Peace
- Benjamin's death and Mosiah's reign
- Where this lands
Mosiah 10 — The Tradition of the Fathers — A Wrong That Is Taught, A Hatred That Is Inherited, A Deliverance That Comes by Remembrance
- Twenty-two years of peace and the death of King Laman
Mosiah 27 — The Angel, the Three Days of Death-Like Sleep, and the Born-Again — Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah Converted, the Earth Trembling, the Soul Redeemed from the Gall of Bitterness
- Where this lands

Cross-references are extracted from the project’s chapter essays — every link below points back into the original prose.

Public-domain text. The modern LDS edition with footnotes and chapter summaries is available on churchofjesuschrist.org ↗.

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Joseph Smith Translation

v. 1
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests,
v. 2
Now in this same year, the word of God came unto John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
v. 4
As it is written in the book of the prophet Esaias; and these are the words, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord and make his paths straight.
v. 5
For it is a day of power; yea, every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth;
v. 7
Then said John to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, crying against them with a loud voice, saying, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
v. 8
Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, Abraham is our father; we have kept the commandments of God, and none can inherit the promises but the children of Abraham; for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
v. 9
And now also, the axe is laid unto the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, which bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire.
v. 11
He answered and said unto them, He who hath two coats, let him impart to him who hath none; and he who hath meat, let him do likewise.
v. 13
And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed unto you.
v. 16
John answered, saying unto all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire,
v. 17
Whose fan is in his hand; and he will thoroughly purge his floor and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
v. 19
But Herod, the tetrarch, being reproved of him for Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
v. 21
Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also came unto John; and being baptized of him, and praying, the heaven was opened;
v. 22
And the Holy Ghost descended in bodily shape like a dove upon him; and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
v. 23
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, having lived with his father, being, as was supposed of the world, the son of Joseph, who was from the loins of Heli,
v. 24
Who was from the loins of Matthat, who was the son of Levi, who was a descendant of Melchi, and of Janna, and of Joseph,
v. 25
And of Mattathias, and of Amos, and of Naum, and of Esli, and of Nagge,
v. 26
And of Maath, and of Mattathias, and of Semei, and of Joseph, and of Juda,
v. 27
And of Joanna, and of Resa, and of Zorobabel, and of Salathiel, who was the son of Neri,
v. 28
Who was a descendant of Melchi, and of Addi, and of Cosam, and of Elmodam, and of Er,
v. 29
And of Jose, and of Eliezer, and of Joram, and of Matthat, and of Levi,
v. 30
And of Simeon, and of Juda, and of Joseph, and of Jonan, and of Eliakim,
v. 31
And of Melea, and of Menan, and of Mattatha, and of Nathan, and of David,
v. 32
And of Jesse, and of Obed, and of Booz, and of Salmon, and of Naasson,
v. 33
And of Aminadab, and of Aram, and of Esrom, and of Phares, and of Juda,
v. 34
And of Jacob, and of Isaac, and of Abraham, and of Thara, and of Nachor,
v. 35
And of Saruch, and of Ragau, and of Phalec, and of Heber, and of Sala,
v. 36
And of Cainan, and of Arphaxad, and of Shem, and of Noah, and of Lamech,
v. 37
And of Mathusala, and of Enoch, and of Jared, and of Maleleel, and of Cainan,
v. 38
And of Enos, and of Seth, and of Adam, who was formed of God, and the first man upon the earth.
insertion after v. 4
For behold, and lo, he shall come, as it is written in the book of the prophets: to take away the sins of the world and to bring salvation unto the heathen nations; to gather together those who are lost, who are of the sheepfold of Israel, Yea, even the dispersed and afflicted; and also to prepare the way and make possible the preaching of the gospel unto the Gentiles; And to be a light unto all who sit in darkness, unto the uttermost parts of the earth; to bring to pass the resurrection from the dead; and to ascend up on high, to dwell on the right hand of the Father, Until the fullness of time, and the law and the testimony shall be sealed, and the keys of the kingdom shall be delivered up again unto the Father; To administer justice unto all; to come down in judgment upon all and to convince all the ungodly of their ungodly deeds, which they have committed; and all this in the day that he shall come.
insertion after v. 13
For it is well known unto you, Theophilus, that after the manner of the Jews and according to the custom of their law in receiving money into the treasury, that out of the abundance which was received was appointed unto the poor, every man his portion; And after this manner did the publicans also, wherefore, John said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.