Lesson 16B – Matthew 5-7
The Spirit of Prophecy
2 Nephi 25
• v1 – “for they know not concerning the manner
of prophesying among the Jews”
• v4 – “nevertheless they are plain unto all those
that are filled with the spirit of prophecy.”
– What was the “Spirit of Prophecy”? (Rev 19:10)
– A testimony of Jesus
• So how do we understand Isaiah?
1. Through our testimony and faith in Christ
2. Understanding the manner of prophesying
Parallelism
• Christ often taught in poetry, and,
like Isaiah, His style was
parallelism. Why?
• How many copies of the scriptures
were around back then? Who had
access to them?
• Then how would the people
remember Christ’s words (and the
teachers)?
• What’s easier to remember? A
nursery rhyme or a paragraph?
What is song, really?
• This was also a style they were
accustomed to and knew from Old
Testament prophets.
• Christ used their style to bring a
new doctrine.
Victor Ludlow
“The ancient poets, prophets, writers,
and scribes would assist their followers
by organizing their material into an
easily remembered form. Old
Testament authors [and Christ] often
used key phrases or words as verbal
flags to alert the listener to important
passages that would be coming up
shortly in their presentation. They also
used memory devices or patterns that
made the poems easy to remember
and still allowed the composer
spontaneity of expression.”
Types of Parallelism
• Synonymous parallelism
– The theme of the first line repeats in the second
line, but in different words
– Matthew 5:38-40
An eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth
Types of Parallelism
• Antithetic parallelism
– The theme of the first line contrasts with an
opposite thought in the second line
– Matthew 7:17
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Types of Parallelism
• Emblematic parallelism
– Two ideas are compared by means of a simile or
metaphor
– Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a
wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Isaiah 1:18
• How are each of these first three types used?
Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson,
they shall be as wool.
Types of Parallelism
• Synthetic parallelism
– The second line completes or compliments the
thought of the first (question and answer, proposition,
conclusion, etc)
– Matthew 5:21-22
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time,
Thou shalt not kill…
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his
brother without a cause shall be in danger of the
judgment:
Types of Parallelism
• Composite parallelism
– Three or more phrases develop a theme by
amplifying a concept or defining a term.
– Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Types of Parallelism
• Climactic parallelism
– Part of one line is repeated in the other lines until a theme
is developed which then culminates in a main idea or
statement.
– Matthew 5:3-12 (the Beatitudes)
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
…
for great is your reward in heaven
Types of Parallelism
• Inverted parallelism
– A pattern of words or ideas is stated, then repeated in a
reverse order. Also called “chiasmus”.
– Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other;
or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Chiasmus
• Why is it called Chiasmus?
• From the Greek letter, chi (which looks like Χ)
– Connect the similar thoughts in Psalms 124:7:
Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers:
The snare is broken, and we are escaped.
Chiasmus
• Try this one:
• Psalms 3:7-8 (translating literally from
Hebrew)
Save me, O my God, for thou has smitten all my
enemies on the cheek-bone;
The teeth of the wicked thou has broken; to
Jehovah, the salvation.
Chiasmus
• Also found in the Book of Mormon
– Mosiah 3:18-19
• humble, children, atoning blood of Christ, natural man, God,
has been
• will be, Holy Spirit, natural man, atonement of Christ, child,
humble
– Mosiah 5:10-12
• name, called, left hand of God, remember, blotted out,
transgression
• do not transgress, blotted out, remember, left hand of God,
called, name
• Do you think Joseph Smith new how to write
complex Chiasmus as a teenager?
All right, now you try
• Using your reference sheet, turn to a random
place in the Sermon on the Mount and see
what types of parallelism you can find.
Notebook Ideas
• Where else in your life does poetry or song
help you to remember important things?
• How can you use these techniques to help you
remember the gospel principles in your life?