A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS

I. THE MINISTRY OF AN ELIAS: JOHN THE BAPTIST

MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN
John’s Prophetic Ministry ~ Near the Jordan
3: 1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
  3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, aThe voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
  6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.


Isaiah Prophesied of
John the Baptist
 3a "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make striaght in the desert a highway for our God." ~ Isaiah 40:3
This prophecy is cited in all four gospels. (Matthes 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; and John 1:23)
1: 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
  2 As it is written in the prophets, aaBehold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
  3 aThe voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
  5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
  6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
  7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
  8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.


 2aa "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts." ~ Malachi 3:1

Peter, who's scribe Mark is, seems to more specifically note the combination of the use of two of the prophets that Peter/Mark quoted, Malachi and Isaiah. Both the preparing Elias or John the Baptist as well as the messenger or Son of the Covenant, Jesus Christ, is made mention in Peter's Gospel as recorded by Mark, and the fact of Christ coming to the temple is more pronounced in Peter's / Mark's Gospel than it is in Matthew's account.

3: 1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
  2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
  3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
  4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, aThe voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  5 Every 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;
  6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
  7 Then 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?
  8 Bring 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.
  9 And 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.
  10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
  11 He 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.
  12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
  13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
  14 And 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.
  15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
  16 John 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:
  17 Whose 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.
  18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.


 4a "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make striaght in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." ~ Isaiah 40:3-5


Perhaps the JST yields the more complete text of Luke as it would indicate possible missing scripture written out by the Jewish compilers and their preferred Jewish perspctive.

 4a "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." 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 fulness 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; 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; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God [Isaiah 52:10]." ~ JST Luke 3:4 - 11)

1: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  2 The same was in the beginning with God.
  3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
  4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
  5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
  6 ¶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
  7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
  8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
  9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
  10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
  11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
  12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
  13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
  14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
  15 ¶ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
  16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
  17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
  18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
  19 ¶ And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
  20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
  21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
  22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
  23 He said, aI am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
  24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
  25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
  26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
  27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
  28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
  29 ¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
  30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
  31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
  32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
  33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
  34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
  35 ¶ Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
  36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
  37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
1 Ne. 10: 7-10;
D&C 35: 4;
D&C 84: 27-28
Isaiah’s Prophecy of John
3: 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
1: 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
  3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
3: 4 As 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.
  5 Every 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;
  6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
1: 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
The beginning of John’s Ministry ~ Wilderness of Judaea
3: 1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
3: 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
  6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
1: 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
3: 1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
  2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
  3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
1: 6 ¶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
  7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
  8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
  9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
  10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
  11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
  12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
  13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
  14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Warning to Pharisees and Sadducees ~ Bethabara
3: 7 ¶ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  9 And think 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.

ELIAS, which is commonly considered the Greek form of the name Elijah, means according to The New Testament Greek Lexicon, Strong's number 2243, 'my God is Jehovah'. And the first thought of identification when the name Elias is used is to think of the Old Testament prophet Elijah who bore the Hebrew form of the name. Yet Jesus also used the name Elias in reference to John the Baptist. And we are given to understand that beyond it being a person's personal name, it also may refer to a positional title belonging to one who is a 'forerunning', particularly to prepare the way before the coming of God. So was John the Baptist a forerunning of the coming of Jesus Christ in preparing the way before Jesus Christ.

Also we are given to understand that others have also held this positional title of being an Elias, a forerunner as one who preceeds the coming of God. Noah as the angel Gabriel also bore that name title, as did also Elijah in his role in the latter-day restoration, as might also be denoted of other such participants in the rolling forth of the restoration of the Gospel. Even Jesus Christ is an Elias of sorts as he is and will be the forerunner to the coming forth of God the Father when he so presents all his followers before God the Father in that final great assembly in the day of judgment. Even Joseph Smith can be listed as an Elias in his mortal roll as the first forerunner prophet of the bring forth restoration of the gospel which will eventually led to the Second Coming of Christ.

And thus caution must be taken when speaking of an Elias in the positional sense. In the first place he is 'a follower of Jehovah who is the same as Jesus Christ. And in a further sense, his assigned work as being an Elias is to prepare the way before the Lord Jesus/Jehovah or even the LORD GOD, that Man of Holiness, Elohim, our Heavenly Fahter and Most High God.

Futher, it ought to be noted that when one is positioned as an Elias, he does come in the Spirit and the Power of Elias, that is in the name of God. Jesus said, "But I say unto you, That Elias is come already . . . then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.' (Matthew 11:13-14, Matthew 17:12-13, Mark 9:13) And when John the Baptist answered the Jews that he was not Elias [Elijah], he was specifically giving the answer to the question which they had asked. For they were concerned that John the Baptist was that Elijah, the Old Testament prophet who was said to come in the latter-days before the Second Coming of the Lord as spoken of by the prophet Malachi. And John was not him specifically, though John was come by that same Spirit and Power of an Elias acting in the position of an Elias, a follower of the Lord God Jehovah. 9:13)

3: 7 Then 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?
  8 Bring 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.
1: 19 ¶ And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
  20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
  21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
  22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
  23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
  24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
  25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
  26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
  27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
  28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Call to Repentance ~ Bethabara
3: 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  9 And think 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.
  10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
1: 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
  5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
  6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
  7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
  8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
3: 8 Bring 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.
  9 And 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.
  10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
  11 He 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.
  12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
  13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
  14 And 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.
  15 And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
  16 John 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:
  17 Whose 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.
  18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.

Of the House of Israel

To be a descendant of Abraham meant to the Jews that they were 'Children of the Covenant of Abraham', the promised and privileged children of God. To be of the House of Israel was to be 'better' than any other group of people on earth for the blessings and promises of the Lord to the Fathers was your right by blood descent, your inheritance. Yet under God's plan, the blessings of Abraham was to be extended to all nations, every kindred, tongue and people. And this was not just a future condition. Under God's Plan of Salvation and through the work in God's temples, those blessing and covenants would come upon all who ever lived upon this earth from the time of Adam until the end. Thus when John the Baptist taught, 'That Gos is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham', this was no idle statement. 'Stones' here is an allusion to 'Gentiles', who the Jews considered to be no better than 'dead stones', for they were NOT privileged as they were, being the sons and daughters of the covenant even the Covenant of Father Abraham. Thus the scriptures speak of Judah and his companions and of Ephraim and his companions. These 'companions' are all they who are joined to the House of Israel by the performance of the saving ordinance of baptism and the receipt of the Holy Ghost, thus being 'adopted' into the House of Israel by that Gospel Ordinance. And that was just what John the Baptist was doing, bring all men, 'stones' and Jews, unto the baptism of the Lord and to membership with the House of Israel. This principle and concept answers many a question concerning the Gospel Restoration of the Latter-days and how it has been brought forth, first to Ephraim and thence to the world, Ephraim's companions.

~ Hurrah for Israel! ~

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth ~ Nazareth

As verse 4:16 states, when Jesus returned to Galilee, he went to his home town of Nazareth and prophesied in reference to the fulfilling of the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 61. Many put this event after other ministering events. Luke in keeping a continuity with the concept of Jesus being led by the Spirit that has been placed upon him and testifying of that in relationship to the prophecies of Isaiah take Jesus to Nazareth to further declare himself in term of Isaiah's prophecies concerning the Spirit having been placed upon him. This is a tread of importance of understanding that throughout the Savior's life the Holy Ghost was literally his constant companion, guide and protectorant.

Baptism of Jesus ~ Bethabara

Also did Isaiah prophesy concerning the event related to both Jesus symbolically having the Spirit or God, they Holy Ghost, being placed in/on him (Isaiah 42:1) and Jesus so later referencing that the Spirit had been placed upon him when he read the scripture from Isaiah 61:1 in Nazreth before the people there (Luke 4:18).

  • "BEHOLD my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles." (OT | Isaiah 42:1)

  • "THE Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;" (OT | Isaiah 61:1)
  • 3: 13 ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
      14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
      15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
      16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
      17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
    1: 9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
      10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
      11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
    3: 21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
      22 And 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.
    1: 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
      33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
      34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
    1 Ne. 10: 7-10;
    2 Ne. 31: 4-21
    Temptation of Jesus ~ Wilderness of Judaea
    4: 1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
      2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
      3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
      4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
      5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
      6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
      7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
      8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
      9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
      10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
      11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
    1: 12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
      13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
    4: 1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
      2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
      3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
      4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
      5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
      6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
      7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
      8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
      9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:
      10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:
      11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
      12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
      13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
    JST Matt. 4:1-10
    CHAPTER 4

    Christ led away by the Spirit—Tempted of the devil—
    The commencement of his ministry.

    1 Then Jesus was led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness, to be with God.
    2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, and had communed with God, he was afterwards an hungered, and was left to be tempted of the devil,
    3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
    4 But Jesus answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
    5 Then Jesus was taken up into the holy city, and the Spirit setteth him on the pinnacle of the temple.
    6 Then the devil came unto him and said, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
    7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
    8 And again, Jesus was in the Spirit, and it taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.
    9 And the devil came unto him again, and said, All these things will I give unto thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
    10 Then said Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him.

    John the Baptist’s Testimony ~ Bethabara

    John's Witness

    If becomes very significant that in the record and according to John the Baptist's own testimony that the Holy Ghost did descend like a dove and did not only rest upon Jesus but that it did 'abode' with him. For from that time forth during Jesus ministry until his suffering in the garden and death upon the cross, the Holy Ghost was Jesus' constant companion is fact and reality.

    When one comes to this understanding many things become much more understandable. When next the 'Spirit' does take Jesus into the wilderness for his 40 day MTC or training experience, it becomes clear that this was now the Spirit presence with Jesus working in him. Even when Jesus felt 'virtue' moving within and from him in the healing of the woman with the issue, it is more understandable that it is in and by the power of the Holy Ghost that such priesthood healings are accomplished. And when Jesus did suffer in the Garden and Luke's record recorded an 'angel presence' with Jesus, it give thought that it was but the Holy Ghost, Jesus' Godhead brother stepping apart but still standing by as the Savior did suffer and take upon himself alone the sins of the world. And finally, when Jesus felt the withdrawal of the 'presences of God' within upon the cross, we can understand that with did withdraw from him is he who does abide with all who experience the power and light of the Holy Ghost within us even as God being with us. And indeed, Jesus may have actually addressed as testified those in attendance, 'Elias and even God, why hast though withdrawn from me. And then with that realization that the Holy Ghost had withdraw as the end had come and 'it was finished', that Jesus had done and accomplish all that he was sent to do. And Jesus in turn committed his soul unto God and gave up the ghost.

    1: 15 ¶ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
      16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
      17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
      18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
      19 ¶ And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
      20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
      21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
      22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
      23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
      24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
      25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
      26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
      27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
      28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.
      29 ¶ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
      30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.
      31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
      32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
      33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
      34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
      35 ¶ Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
      36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
    D&C 93: 6-18;
    D&C 93: 26
    John’s Disciples Follow Jesus ~ Bethabara

    1: 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
      35 ¶ Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;
      36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
      37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
      38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
      39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
      40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
      41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
      42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
      43 ¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
      44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
      45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
      46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
      47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
      48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
      49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
      50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
      51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
    Jesus Departs for Galilee

    1: 43 ¶ The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
    Jesus Rejected at Nazareth ~ Nazareth

    As verse 4:16 states, when Jesus returned to Galilee, he went to his home town of Nazareth and prophesied in reference to the fulfilling of the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 61. Many put this event after other ministering events. Luke in keeping a continuity with the concept of Jesus being led by the Spirit that has been placed upon him and testifying of that in relationship to the prophecies of Isaiah take Jesus to Nazareth to further declare himself in term of Isaiah's prophecies concerning the Spirit having been placed upon him. This is a tread of importance of understanding that throughout the Savior's life the Holy Ghost was literally his constant companion, guide and protectorant.

    4: 16 ¶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
    17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
    18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
    19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
    20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
    21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
    22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
    23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
    24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
    25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
    26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
    27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
    28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
    29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
    30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,