Matthew 21

Read on churchofjesuschrist.org (with footnotes)

1And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 1

And when Jesus drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and they were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
IV v. 1 (Inspired Version, 1867)

2Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 2

Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find a colt tied; loose it and bring it unto me; and if any shall say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of it; and straightway he will send it.
IV v. 2 (Inspired Version, 1867)

3And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

4All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 5

Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy king cometh unto thee, and he is meek, and he is sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass.
IV v. 4 (Inspired Version, 1867)

6And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 6

And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the colt, and put on it their clothes; and Jesus took the colt and sat thereon; and they followed him.
IV v. 5 (Inspired Version, 1867)

7And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

8And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 8

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees and strewed in the way.
IV v. 6 (Inspired Version, 1867)

9And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 9

And the multitudes that went before, and also that followed after, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
IV v. 7 (Inspired Version, 1867)

10And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 11

And the multitude said, This is Jesus of Nazareth, the prophet of Galilee.
IV v. 9 (Inspired Version, 1867)

12And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 12

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them,
IV v. 10 (Inspired Version, 1867)

13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 13

It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
IV v. 11 (Inspired Version, 1867)

14And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

15And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 15

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children of the kingdom crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David, they were sore displeased and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say?
IV v. 13 (Inspired Version, 1867)

16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 16

And Jesus said unto them, Yea. Have ye never read the scriptures which saith, Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, O Lord, thou hast perfected praise?
IV v. 14 (Inspired Version, 1867)

17And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 17

And he left them, and went out of the city unto Bethany, and he lodged there.
IV v. 15 (Inspired Version, 1867)

18Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 19

And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it; and there was not any fruit on it, but leaves only. And he said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward, forever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
IV v. 17 (Inspired Version, 1867)

20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 20

And when the disciples saw this, they marveled and said, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
IV v. 18 (Inspired Version, 1867)

21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 21

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily, I say unto you, If ye have faith and doubt not, ye shall not only do this to the fig tree, but also, if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, it shall be done.
IV v. 19 (Inspired Version, 1867)

22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, in faith believing, ye shall receive.
IV v. 20 (Inspired Version, 1867)

23And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

24And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 24

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I, likewise, will tell you by what authority I do these things.
IV v. 22 (Inspired Version, 1867)

25The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 25

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or of men?
IV v. 23 (Inspired Version, 1867)

26But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 26

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven, he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men, we fear the people. For all people held John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus and said, We cannot tell.
IV v. 24 (Inspired Version, 1867)

27And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 27

And he said, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
IV v. 25 (Inspired Version, 1867)

28But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 28

But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, saying, Son, go work today in my vineyard.
IV v. 26 (Inspired Version, 1867)

29He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

30And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 30

And he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, I will serve; and went not.
IV v. 28 (Inspired Version, 1867)

31Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 31

Jesus said unto them, Verily, I say unto you that the publicans and harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you.
IV v. 31 (Inspired Version, 1867)

32For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 32

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness and bare record of me, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him; and ye, afterward, when ye had seen me, repented not, that ye might believe him.
IV v. 32 (Inspired Version, 1867)

33Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 33

Behold, there was a certain householder, who planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
IV v. 35 (Inspired Version, 1867)

34And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

35And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

36Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.

37But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.

38But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.

39And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

40When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 40

And Jesus said unto them, When the Lord, therefore, of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
IV v. 42 (Inspired Version, 1867)

41They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 41

They said unto him, He will destroy those miserable, wicked men and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
IV v. 43 (Inspired Version, 1867)

42Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 42

Jesus said unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner; this is the Lord's doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
IV v. 44 (Inspired Version, 1867)

43Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

44And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 44

For whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
IV v. 46 (Inspired Version, 1867)

45And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 45

And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them.
IV v. 47 (Inspired Version, 1867)

46But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 46

But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude because they learned that the multitude took him for a prophet.
IV v. 49 (Inspired Version, 1867)

JST insertionafter v. 46

And now his disciples came to him; and Jesus said unto them, Marvel ye at the words of the parable which I spake unto them? Verily, I say unto you, I am the stone, and those wicked ones reject me. I am the head of the corner. These Jews shall fall upon me and shall be broken. And the kingdom of God shall be taken from them and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof (meaning the Gentiles). Wherefore, on whomsoever this stone shall fall, it shall grind him to powder. And when the Lord, therefore, of the vineyard cometh, he will destroy those miserable, wicked men, and will let again his vineyard unto other husbandmen, even in the last days, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons. And then understood they the parable which he spake unto them, that the Gentiles should be destroyed also, when the Lord should descend out of heaven to reign in his vineyard, which is the earth and the inhabitants thereof.

IV vv. 50–56 (Inspired Version, 1867)

Also cited in commentary

1 Nephi 11 — The Condescension of God and the Catechetical Tree
- The mountain, the Spirit, and the catechetical method
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 10 — Reconcile Yourselves — Jacob's Second Day and the Land of Promise
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 15 — Isaiah 5 — The Song of the Vineyard, the Six Woes, the Ensign to the Nations
2 Nephi 18 — Isaiah 8 — Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, the Sanctuary and the Stone of Stumbling, To the Law and to the Testimony
2 Nephi 22 — Isaiah 12 — The Song of Salvation, the Wells of Yeshua, and Zion's Inhabitant Shouting
- Where this lands
3 Nephi 4 — Hosanna to the Most High God — The Robbers Broken and the Song of Deliverance
- How the chapter is built
- Zemnarihah felled, and the song of the delivered
Alma 33 — Then Cast About Your Eyes — Zenos, Zenock, and the Brazen Serpent, or How to Plant the Seed
- How the chapter is built
Enos 1 — Enos's Wrestle — The Hunt That Became a Prayer, Intercession for Brethren and Enemies, the Promise of Preservation
- Intercession for the Lamanites and the plate-preservation covenant
- Where this lands
Jacob 3 — The Pure in Heart, the Lamanite Husbands, and the Mercy Available Yet
Jacob 4 — Looking Beyond the Mark — Jacob's Meditation on Christ, Scripture, and the Jewish Stumble
- The Jewish stumble
- Where this lands
Jacob 5 — The Allegory of the Olive Tree — Zenos on the Lord's Vineyard, the Wild Branches, and the Final Harvest
- 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
- The Lamanite tradition of grievance
- Where this lands
Mosiah 24 — Burdens Made Light — Amulon's Authority, the Forbidden Prayer, the Voice of the Lord in Their Affliction, the Deep Sleep upon the Lamanites, and the Valley Named Alma
- The deep sleep, the escape, the valley of Alma, and the arrival
Doctrine and Covenants 109 — The Kirtland Temple Dedicatory Prayer
Psalms 8 — What Is Man — The Excellent Name, the Work of Thy Fingers, and the Crown Set on a Little Lower Than the Gods
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The name above the heavens
Psalms 20 — Some Trust in Chariots — A Nation Prays for Its King on the Day of Battle
- How this chapter changes the reader
- Some trust in chariots
Psalms 24 — Clean Hands and a Pure Heart — Who May Climb the Hill of the LORD, and the King of Glory at the Gate
- How this chapter changes the reader

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 ↗.

Study

Joseph Smith Translation

v. 1
And when Jesus drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and they were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
v. 2
Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find a colt tied; loose it and bring it unto me; and if any shall say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of it; and straightway he will send it.
v. 5
Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy king cometh unto thee, and he is meek, and he is sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass.
v. 6
And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the colt, and put on it their clothes; and Jesus took the colt and sat thereon; and they followed him.
v. 8
And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees and strewed in the way.
v. 9
And the multitudes that went before, and also that followed after, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
v. 11
And the multitude said, This is Jesus of Nazareth, the prophet of Galilee.
v. 12
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them,
v. 13
It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
v. 15
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children of the kingdom crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David, they were sore displeased and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say?
v. 16
And Jesus said unto them, Yea. Have ye never read the scriptures which saith, Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, O Lord, thou hast perfected praise?
v. 17
And he left them, and went out of the city unto Bethany, and he lodged there.
v. 19
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it; and there was not any fruit on it, but leaves only. And he said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward, forever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
v. 20
And when the disciples saw this, they marveled and said, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
v. 21
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily, I say unto you, If ye have faith and doubt not, ye shall not only do this to the fig tree, but also, if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, it shall be done.
v. 22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, in faith believing, ye shall receive.
v. 24
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I, likewise, will tell you by what authority I do these things.
v. 25
The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven or of men?
v. 26
And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven, he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men, we fear the people. For all people held John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus and said, We cannot tell.
v. 27
And he said, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
v. 28
But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, saying, Son, go work today in my vineyard.
v. 30
And he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, I will serve; and went not.
v. 31
Jesus said unto them, Verily, I say unto you that the publicans and harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you.
v. 32
For John came unto you in the way of righteousness and bare record of me, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him; and ye, afterward, when ye had seen me, repented not, that ye might believe him.
v. 33
Behold, there was a certain householder, who planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
v. 40
And Jesus said unto them, When the Lord, therefore, of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
v. 41
They said unto him, He will destroy those miserable, wicked men and will let out the vineyard unto other husbandmen, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
v. 42
Jesus said unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner; this is the Lord's doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
v. 44
For whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
v. 45
And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them.
v. 46
But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude because they learned that the multitude took him for a prophet.
insertion after v. 30
Whether of these twain did the will of their father? They said unto him, The first.
insertion after v. 32
For he that believed not John concerning me cannot believe me, except he first repent. And except ye repent, the preaching of John shall condemn you in the day of judgment. And again, hear another parable; for unto you that believe not, I speak in parables, that your unrighteousness may be rewarded unto you.
insertion after v. 45
And they said among themselves, Shall this man think that he alone can spoil this great kingdom? And they were angry with him.
insertion after v. 46
And now his disciples came to him; and Jesus said unto them, Marvel ye at the words of the parable which I spake unto them? Verily, I say unto you, I am the stone, and those wicked ones reject me. I am the head of the corner. These Jews shall fall upon me and shall be broken. And the kingdom of God shall be taken from them and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof (meaning the Gentiles). Wherefore, on whomsoever this stone shall fall, it shall grind him to powder. And when the Lord, therefore, of the vineyard cometh, he will destroy those miserable, wicked men, and will let again his vineyard unto other husbandmen, even in the last days, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons. And then understood they the parable which he spake unto them, that the Gentiles should be destroyed also, when the Lord should descend out of heaven to reign in his vineyard, which is the earth and the inhabitants thereof.