As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Mark strategically quotes Isaiah first, even though the primary source is Malachi. This highlights John the Baptist not just as a precursor, but as a fulfillment of God's overarching promise of salvation revealed through Isaiah's grand vision of a coming restoration. This subtle shift frames John's ministry as central to God's unfolding plan from the earliest prophetic whispers.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Mark begins his account by immediately introducing John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus, quoting Old Testament prophecies to establish Jesus's divine authority and the significance of John's ministry. This sets the stage for Jesus's public appearance by highlighting the divine plan for His coming and the preparation required by His herald.
Imagine hearing a promise for years, then suddenly, a sign appears that it's about to come true. That's the power of Mark quoting Scripture here!
Mark immediately grounds Jesus' story in the Old Testament. He doesn't just say John the Baptist showed up; he shows how John was the fulfillment of God's long-awaited plan.
What does it mean to 'prepare the way'? It's more than just clearing a path; it's about making hearts ready for a radical encounter.
The core of the quote from Isaiah (and Malachi) is about a specific mission: to 'prepare the way' for the Lord. This wasn't about physical road construction.
The Nature of the Preparation:
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Understand the original words
angelos · Greek Noun
A generic term for one sent with a commission or message from a superior. In a theological sense, it often refers to a precursor or herald of the Messiah.
kyrios · Greek Noun
The absolute sovereign and creator of the universe, often used in the New Testament to refer to Jesus, affirming His deity and authority over all creation.
Mark's opening verse connects the ministry of John the Baptist directly to ancient prophecies, framing John not as an isolated figure but as the divinely appointed herald of the Messiah, fulfilling God's long-promised plan.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah Prophesies a Forerunner
Isaiah, writing in Judah, foretells a messenger who will prepare the way for God's salvation, a prophecy that would later be seen as pointing to John the Baptist.
c. 400 BC
Malachi Foretells Messenger
Malachi, the last of the Old Testament prophets, reiterates the prophecy of a messenger preparing the way for the Lord's coming, bridging the gap between Isaiah and the New Testament era.
c. 5 BC
Birth of John the Baptist
John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, is born under Herod the Great, fulfilling prophecies and marking the imminent arrival of the Messiah.
c. AD 27-28— this verse
John the Baptist Begins Ministry
John emerges from the wilderness, preaching repentance and baptizing in the Jordan River, thus fulfilling the ancient prophecies and initiating the public phase of the Gospel.
c. AD 28
Jesus Christ Baptized
Jesus, the Son of God, comes to John to be baptized, an event that marks the public inauguration of His ministry and the start of the Gospel Mark records.
This passage directly parallels the verse, identifying the messenger sent to prepare the way and explicitly naming Malachi as a prophetic source.
Isaiah 40:3This verse, also quoted by the Gospel writers, describes the 'voice crying in the wilderness' and the preparation of a way, amplifying the concept of making God's paths straight.
Luke 1:17This passage explains that John the Baptist would go before the Lord 'in the spirit and power of Elijah,' connecting John's preparatory role to a significant Old Testament figure.
Matthew 11:10Jesus Himself quotes this specific prophecy when referring to John the Baptist, underscoring its direct application to John's ministry.
barnesMark 1:2: "As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee."
As it is written in the prophets - Mark mentions "prophets" here without specifying which. The places are found in Malachi 3:1 , and in Isaiah 41:3 . See the notes at Matthew 3:3 .
calvinMark 1:1-6: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;"
- Now in those days John the Baptist comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2. And saying, Repent: [243] for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, 3. For this is he, of whom it has been spoken by Isaiah the prophet, who says, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare 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 h…
Mark strategically quotes Isaiah first, even though the primary source is Malachi. This highlights John the Baptist not just as a precursor, but as a fulfillment of God's overarching promise of salvation revealed through Isaiah's grand vision of a coming restoration. This subtle shift frames John's ministry as central to God's unfolding plan from the earliest prophetic whispers.
Mark begins his account by immediately introducing John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus, quoting Old Testament prophecies to establish Jesus's divine authority and the significance of John's ministry. This sets the stage for Jesus's public appearance by highlighting the divine plan for His coming and the preparation required by His herald.
Mark begins his account by immediately introducing John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus, quoting Old Testament prophecies to establish Jesus's divine authority and the significance of John's ministry. This sets the stage for Jesus's public appearance by highlighting the divine plan for His coming and the preparation required by His herald.
"As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight…" — Mark strategically quotes Isaiah *first*, even though the primary source is Malachi. This highlights John the Baptist not just as a precursor, but as a fulfillment of God's overarching promise of sal…
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Last reviewed October 2026