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)
The verse doesn't just quote Isaiah; it declares John is the one prophesied, emphasizing his foundational role as a herald. The description "voice of one crying" highlights the urgent, public, and bold nature of his message, not a quiet whisper but a powerful declaration meant to stir people to action.
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)
Matthew is introducing John the Baptist, explaining that his appearance and ministry fulfill ancient prophecy. This quote from Isaiah acts as the "job description" for John, framing him as a herald preparing the way for the arrival of the Lord himself, the Messiah. This sets the stage for John's radical call to repentance in the wilderness as the crucial first step in God's plan unfolding.
Why did Matthew quote Isaiah when introducing John the Baptist? It wasn't just a casual reference; it was a divine signal, connecting John's mission to God's ancient promises.
A Fulfillment of Prophecy
The very first thing Matthew tells us about John the Baptist is that he's not an accident of history. He's part of God's grand plan, fulfilling words spoken centuries before by the prophet Isaiah.
John wasn't preaching in the temple or a bustling city. He was in the wilderness. What does this unusual location signify for his message and the coming King?
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A Public and Urgent Proclamation
John's location in the wilderness, and the way he preached, were deeply significant. It wasn't a quiet, private invitation; it was a loud, public announcement.
What does it truly mean to 'make His paths straight'? It's more than just physical roadwork; it's a radical internal transformation God calls us to.
The Work of Repentance
The call to "make His paths straight" wasn't a suggestion; it was a demand for a transformed life. It called for people to actively prepare their hearts for the coming King.
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 explicitly connects John the Baptist to Isaiah's prophecy, framing John's ministry not just as a historical event, but as the fulfillment of ancient hope, signaling a pivotal shift from exile and expectation to the immediate arrival of God's kingdom.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah Prophesies
The prophet Isaiah delivers prophecies concerning God's judgment and future restoration, including a passage about a herald preparing the way for the Lord's return.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Jerusalem is destroyed, and many Jews are exiled to Babylon, a period of spiritual desolation and longing for restoration.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great allows the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, a partial fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies.
c. 400 BC - 1 BC
Period of Messianic Expectation
Centuries pass with a growing anticipation among many Jews for a Messiah who will restore Israel and usher in God's kingdom.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist starts preaching in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance and proclaiming the imminent arrival of the Messiah.
This is the direct source passage quoted by Matthew, establishing the prophetic foundation for John the Baptist's ministry.
John 1:23John the Baptist himself directly quotes this same Isaiah passage when asked about his identity, confirming the fulfillment of prophecy in his role.
Malachi 3:1This passage foretells a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord, a role explicitly linked to John the Baptist in Luke's Gospel (Luke 1:17).
Romans 10:15Paul alludes to this same prophetic imagery of a 'voice crying out' and 'preaching' to highlight the essential role of those who announce God's message.
Luke 3:4Luke's Gospel also quotes the same Isaiah passage in the context of John the Baptist's ministry, showing this fulfillment was a key aspect recognized by multiple New Testament writers.
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…
The verse doesn't just quote Isaiah; it declares John is the one prophesied, emphasizing his foundational role as a herald. The description "voice of one crying" highlights the urgent, public, and bold nature of his message, not a quiet whisper but a powerful declaration meant to stir people to action.
Matthew is introducing John the Baptist, explaining that his appearance and ministry fulfill ancient prophecy. This quote from Isaiah acts as the "job description" for John, framing him as a herald preparing the way for the arrival of the Lord himself, the Messiah. This sets the stage for John's radical call to repentance in the wilderness as the crucial first step in God's plan unfolding.
Matthew is introducing John the Baptist, explaining that his appearance and ministry fulfill ancient prophecy. This quote from Isaiah acts as the "job description" for John, framing him as a herald preparing the way for the arrival of the Lord himself, the Messiah. This sets the stage for John's radical call to repentance in the wilderness as the crucial first step in God's plan unfolding.
"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.’”" — The verse doesn't just quote Isaiah; it declares John *is* the one prophesied, emphasizing his foundational role as a herald. The description "voice of one crying" highlights the urgent, public, and…
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Last reviewed October 2026