Matthew 3:3
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easily missed is how the phrase "the voice of one crying" implies John's message wasn't a quiet whisper, but a bold, public declaration. The ancient context of royal processions highlights this urgency – John wasn't just announcing, he was urgently clearing the way for the King of Kings, demanding people actively prepare their hearts.
This verse grounds John the Baptist's ministry in ancient prophecy, specifically from Isaiah. It explains that John isn't just some random guy preaching in the desert; he's the fulfillment of a foretold voice preparing the way for the Lord's coming. This immediately sets the stage for Jesus' arrival, highlighting John's crucial role as the herald announcing the Messiah's imminent presence and ministry.
Why does Matthew start his account of Jesus with John the Baptist? It's not random; it's deeply rooted in God's plan revealed centuries before.
Matthew is showing us that John the Baptist isn't just some wild man in the desert. He is the fulfillment of ancient prophecy, specifically from Isaiah.
The Echo of Isaiah
Isaiah 40:3 spoke of a "voice crying in the wilderness," calling people to prepare for the Lord's return. Matthew connects this directly to John. This wasn't just about the Jewish people returning from exile in Babylon, as Isaiah also spoke to that context. It was a prophetic pointer to a far greater deliverance – the coming of the Messiah to rescue humanity from sin.
More Than a Messenger
John's role, like the ancient heralds who cleared the way for kings, was to make people ready for Jesus. This preparation wasn't just physical roadwork; it was a spiritual clearing of hearts and minds, calling for repentance and faith.
What does it mean to 'prepare the way' and 'make his paths straight'? It's an active call to inner transformation.
The core of John's message, echoing Isaiah, was a call to prepare the way of the Lord by making His paths straight. This imagery paints a vivid picture:
Removing Obstacles
Imagine a royal procession or an army marching through a difficult terrain. Pioneers would go ahead to fill in ditches, level hills, and remove any obstacles to ensure a smooth passage. For the Messiah's arrival, these "obstacles" were sins, false beliefs, pride, and worldly desires that blocked people from fully receiving Him.
The Call to Repentance
John's powerful preaching in the wilderness wasn't just a loud announcement; it was a demand for a change of heart and direction – repentance. This meant turning away from sin and turning towards God, clearing the way for His grace and kingdom to enter people's lives. It's about aligning our lives with God's will, making our hearts a welcoming place for the King of Kings.
Understand the original words
prophētēs · Greek Noun
An inspired spokesperson for God who declares His will and often predicts future events. Prophets in the Bible served as mediators of God's revelation to His covenant people.
Kyrios · Greek Noun
Yahweh or Adonai; the covenant God of Israel. In the New Testament, this term is frequently applied to Jesus, identifying Him as the promised Messiah and the divine King.
Matthew connects John the Baptist's ministry directly to Isaiah's prophecy. While Isaiah initially spoke of a literal road for the exiles' return from Babylon, Matthew shows how John's call to repentance prepared people for an even greater spiritual 'return' through the Messiah.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy
The prophet Isaiah delivers a message of hope, using imagery of preparing a road through the wilderness for God's triumphant return. This initially applied to the Israelites' return from Babylonian exile.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
King Cyrus of Persia allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. This event partially fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy of a prepared way for God's people.
c. 5 BC
Birth of John the Baptist
John, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, is born. His birth and later ministry are seen as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
c. AD 27— this verse
John Begins Ministry
John the Baptist starts preaching in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance and announcing the imminent arrival of the Messiah. His ministry directly echoes the words of Isaiah.
This is the direct Old Testament passage from which Matthew is quoting, establishing the prophetic foundation for John the Baptist's ministry.
John 1:23John the Baptist himself quotes this same passage when asked who he is, confirming the prophetic identification of his role.
Malachi 3:1This earlier prophecy speaks of sending a messenger to prepare the way before the Lord, providing a foundational concept for John's mission.
Luke 1:16-17This passage describes John's birth and ministry as being filled with the 'spirit and power of Elijah,' connecting him to a prophetic forerunner tradition.
Matthew 11:10Jesus Himself refers to John as the fulfillment of prophecy concerning a messenger preparing the way, validating Matthew's use of Isaiah.
bensonMatthew 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."
Matthew 3:3 . For this is he, &c. — These may be the words of John himself, (comp. John 1:22-23 ,) but it is more likely that they are the words of the evangelists; spoken of by the Prophet Esaias, saying, The voice, &c. — Isaiah, in the passage referred to, Isaiah 40:3 , &c., is to be understood as speaking first, th…
barnesMatthew 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."
The prophet Esaias - The prophet Isaiah. Esaias is the Greek mode of writing the name. This passage is taken from Isaiah 40:3 . It is here said to have been spoken in reference to John, the forerunner of Christ. The language is such as was familiar to the Jews. and such as they would understand. It was spoken at first…
What's easily missed is how the phrase "the voice of one crying" implies John's message wasn't a quiet whisper, but a bold, public declaration. The ancient context of royal processions highlights this urgency – John wasn't just announcing, he was urgently clearing the way for the King of Kings, demanding people actively prepare their hearts.
This verse grounds John the Baptist's ministry in ancient prophecy, specifically from Isaiah. It explains that John isn't just some random guy preaching in the desert; he's the fulfillment of a foretold voice preparing the way for the Lord's coming. This immediately sets the stage for Jesus' arrival, highlighting John's crucial role as the herald announcing the Messiah's imminent presence and ministry.
This verse grounds John the Baptist's ministry in ancient prophecy, specifically from Isaiah. It explains that John isn't just some random guy preaching in the desert; he's the fulfillment of a foretold voice preparing the way for the Lord's coming. This immediately sets the stage for Jesus' arrival, highlighting John's crucial role as the herald announcing the Messiah's imminent presence and ministry.
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c. AD 28
Jesus' Baptism
Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River, marking the public beginning of His earthly ministry and the start of the Gospel era.
"For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”" — What's easily missed is how the phrase "the voice of one crying" implies John's message wasn't a quiet whisper, but a bold, public declaration. The ancient context of royal processions highlights thi…