LDS New Testament Images - Page 1

The Nativity

(Luke 2:1-16)
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor, sent out a decree (law) that everyone in his empire had to be taxed. Each man was to pay taxes in the city of his ancestors, so Joseph and Mary had to travel from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was a difficult trip for Mary because her baby was about to be born. (Luke 2:15).

When Mary and Joseph reached Bethlehem, the city was crowded with people who had come to pay taxes. There was no room for Joseph and Mary in the inns, but they were finally allowed to stay where Mary "brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger" (Luke 2:7).

That night there were also shepherds in the field watching over their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared and the shepherds were frightened, but the angel said:

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

"And ... ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12).

Suddenly there appeared a multitude of angels praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" Luke 2:14; Luke 2:13).

When the angels had gone, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go ... unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us" (Luke 2:15). Hurrying to Bethlehem, the shepherds found Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in a manger (Luke 2:16).

Summary

When it was nearly time for Jesus to be born, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to pay taxes. Bethlehem was crowded with people, and the inns were full. Joseph and Mary found a place to stay in a stable. There the baby Jesus was born. Mary wrapped the babe in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. Angels told shepherds the joyful news of Christ's birth, and the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see the newborn Savior.

Artist, Ted Henninger

The Announcement of Christ’s Birth to the Shepherds

(Luke 2:8-20)
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (Luke 2:8-9)

On the night Jesus was born, there were shepherds in the field watching over their flocks. An angel of the Lord appeared and the shepherds were frightened, but the angel said:

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

"And ... ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:10-12).

Suddenly there appeared a multitude of angels praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14; Luke 2:13).

When the angels had gone, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go ... unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us" (Luke 2:15). Hurrying to Bethlehem, the shepherds found Mary and Joseph, and the baby Jesus lying in a manger (Luke 2:16).

Later, as the shepherds returned to their flocks, telling the people abroad what the angel had said about Jesus, they glorified and praised God for all they had heard and seen (Luke 2:17-18).

Summary

The night Jesus was born, an angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds tending their flocks. The angel announced the Savior's birth in Bethlehem and told the shepherds they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Suddenly many angels appeared to the shepherds, praising God and declaring peace on earth. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found the baby Jesus, just as the angel had said. As the shepherds returned to their sheep, they told others of the glorious things they had heard and seen.

Artist, Del Parson

Flight into Egypt

(Matthew 2:13-15, Matthew 2:19-23)
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt. (Matthew 2:14)

When Jesus was young, an "angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him" (Matthew 2:13).

Obeying this command, Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt, traveling at night (Matthew 2:14). When Herod died and the danger had passed, an angel again appeared to Joseph in a dream, this time telling him, "Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life" (Matthew 2:20; Matthew 2:15, Matthew 2:19). Joseph took Mary and Jesus back to Israel, and they lived in Nazareth (Matthew 2:21-23).

Summary

When Jesus was young, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt. Joseph was warned to stay in Egypt until the angel declared it was safe to return, because King Herod would seek to kill Jesus. Joseph did as the angel instructed, and Jesus was protected from harm.

Artist, Robert T. Barrett

Boy Jesus in the Temple

(Luke 2:41-52) Joseph Smith Translation, (Luke 2:46)
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, and they were hearing him, and asking him questions. Joseph Smith Translation, (Luke 2:46)

When Jesus was 12 years old, He and His family traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. On the trip back to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary thought Jesus was among the group of family and friends they traveled with. But after a full day's journey, they realized Jesus was not with them. (Luke 2:41-44).

Joseph and Mary were worried and went back to Jerusalem to look for Jesus. For three days they searched for the young boy, finally finding Him in the temple, where He was teaching the wise men and answering their questions. (Luke 2:45-46; Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 2:46). "And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers" (Luke 2:47).

Mary asked Jesus why He had done this, telling Him how she and Joseph had searched for Him, sorrowing. Jesus answered that He had been doing His Heavenly Father's work. Although Joseph and Mary knew that Jesus was to be the Savior, they did not understand His mission as well as He did. (Luke 2:48-50).

Jesus returned to Nazareth with Joseph and Mary and was an obedient son. As He grew older, He studied and learned; He was close to His Heavenly Father and well liked by other people. (Luke 2:51-52).

Summary

When Jesus was 12 years old, He went with His family to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. On the way home, Joseph and Mary realized that Jesus was not with their group. They went back to Jerusalem to look for Him. After three days of searching, they found Jesus teaching the wise men in the temple. Those who heard Him were amazed at His understanding. Mary asked Him why He had stayed behind and made them worry. Jesus explained that He was doing the work of His Father in Heaven.

Artist, Grant Romney Clawson

Childhood of Jesus Christ

(Matthew 13:55-56; Luke 2:40; Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 3:24-25)
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)

Jesus grew up in Galilee in the small town of Nazareth. There He had a loving family life with Joseph; His mother, Mary; and several brothers and sisters (Matthew 13:55-56). His childhood was probably much like that of other boys of that time. He learned Jewish law, did carpentry work with Joseph, studied the scriptures, and gained wisdom through prayer. (See James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 3rd ed. [1916], 11112.)

As Jesus grew, the Spirit of God was strong in Him. He learned of His mission on earth and waited for the time of His baptism and ministry. (Luke 2:40; Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 3:24-25).

Summary

Jesus grew up in the small town of Nazareth, where He studied and learned, worked with Joseph, and worshiped. Jesus increased in wisdom, and the Spirit was with Him. He would be ready when the time came for His ministry to begin.

Artist, Del Parson