Matthew 3 3

Matthew 3:3 kjv

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 nkjv

For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.' "

Matthew 3:3 niv

This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'?"

Matthew 3:3 esv

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.'"

Matthew 3:3 nlt

The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, "He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
'Prepare the way for the LORD's coming!
Clear the road for him!'"

Matthew 3 verses

Matthew 3 3 Meaning

This verse definitively identifies John the Baptist as the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy found in Isaiah 40:3. It proclaims his divine commission as a herald, whose loud and public message, delivered in the isolated wilderness, served to prepare the hearts and lives of people for the arrival of the Lord. The "preparation of the way" signifies a call for spiritual and moral readiness, prompting repentance and alignment with God's will, anticipating the imminent manifestation of God's presence and kingdom through Jesus Christ. By attributing the "Lord" of Isaiah to Jesus, the verse also subtly yet powerfully affirms Jesus' divine identity.

Matthew 3 3 Context

Matthew 3:3 sets the stage for the public ministry of John the Baptist, immediately preceding Jesus' own baptism and the commencement of His public work. John appears in the Judean wilderness, dressed plainly, living ascetically, and proclaiming a radical message of repentance. His ministry created a bridge between the Old Testament prophetic anticipation and the New Testament reality of Christ's arrival. This verse establishes John's authority and purpose not merely as a wandering preacher, but as the fulfillment of centuries-old prophecy, linking his immediate call to repentance with the grand eschatological expectation of God's direct intervention. The ancient custom of preparing roads for an approaching dignitary or king—clearing debris, leveling ground, straightening crooked paths—provides a vivid cultural background for understanding the spiritual preparation John called for in the hearts of the people. This context underscores Matthew's deliberate aim to present Jesus as the promised Messiah through the lens of Old Testament prophecies.

Matthew 3 3 Word analysis

• For this is he (οὗτος γὰρ ἐστιν, houtos gar estin): A direct and assertive declaration, identifying John the Baptist as the very person prophesied. It removes any ambiguity about John's identity and mission, immediately tying him to scripture.
• spoken of (ῥηθεὶς, rhetheis): A passive participle, emphasizing that his identity and role were not self-proclaimed but divinely foretold. This highlights the sovereignty of God's plan being fulfilled.
• by the prophet Isaiah (διὰ Ἠσαΐου τοῦ προφήτου, dia Ēsaiou tou prophētou): Matthew explicitly names Isaiah, underscoring the authority and specific nature of the prophecy from a well-respected prophetic source, foundational for a Jewish audience.
• The voice (Φωνὴ, Phōnē): Refers not just to a sound, but an authoritative proclamation, a distinct message that stands out. In Isaiah 40:3 (Hebrew: Qol), it signifies a calling, an audible command or declaration, akin to a herald.
• of one crying (βοῶντος, boōntos): A participle indicating an active, loud, public, and urgent shouting or proclamation. This is not a quiet whisper, but a clarion call, demanding attention and action, like a king's messenger preparing for his sovereign's arrival.
• in the wilderness (ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, en tē erēmō): The wilderness (Hebrew: midbar) is a symbolic setting in biblical narratives. It is a place of spiritual purification, testing, isolation, and new beginnings (e.g., Israel's Exodus, Jesus' temptation). John ministered outside established religious structures, signifying a fresh, independent movement preparatory to God's direct intervention.
• Prepare ye the way (Ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν, Hetoimasate tēn hodon): An imperative verb, "prepare" (Hetoimazō) means to make ready, make preparations, put in order. "Way" (hodos) denotes a road, journey, or course of life. This command alludes to the ancient practice of physically clearing and leveling a road for an approaching dignitary. Spiritually, it signifies making the heart and life ready through repentance and transformation.
• of the Lord (Κυρίου, Kyriou): In Isaiah 40:3, the Hebrew term is YHWH (Yahweh), the covenant name of God. By applying Kyriou to the one John prepares the way for, Matthew is subtly but powerfully equating Jesus with God Himself, a profound christological statement.
• make his paths straight (εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ, eutheias poieite tas tribous autou): Eutheias means straight, level, right, upright. Tribous refers to beaten paths or tracks, often side-roads or difficult terrain. This phrase reiterates and emphasizes the nature of the preparation: removing obstacles, leveling the "crookedness" of sin and unrighteousness in people's lives, and aligning oneself with God's perfect will and direction. It implies ethical transformation and moral uprightness in anticipation of Christ.

Matthew 3 3 Bonus section

The careful wording of Matthew's citation from Isaiah 40:3 highlights his theological agenda. While the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) of Isaiah 40:3 places the "wilderness" as the location where the road is prepared ("Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord"), Matthew (along with Mark and Luke) clearly links "in the wilderness" with the "voice of one crying," accurately reflecting where John was ministering. This demonstrates Matthew's interpretive precision, using prophecy to explain John's specific context and confirming his identity as the herald. Furthermore, by quoting Isaiah, Matthew frames Jesus' impending arrival as a glorious return of Yahweh to His people, akin to a royal procession where obstacles are cleared and hearts are readied for the Divine King.

Matthew 3 3 Commentary

Matthew 3:3 is a cornerstone verse, anchoring John the Baptist's mission squarely in Old Testament prophecy, specifically Isaiah 40:3. This prophetic fulfillment underscores the divine blueprint for redemption, revealing that John's dramatic appearance and urgent message were no accident but part of God's sovereign plan. The "voice crying in the wilderness" vividly portrays John as an authentic prophet, stepping out of society to deliver a crucial, uncompromised message. The call to "prepare the way of the Lord" and "make his paths straight" is not merely physical road-building; it's a profound spiritual injunction. It demands moral realignment, repentance from sin, and a clearing away of all that hinders a right relationship with God. This readiness of heart and life was essential for receiving Jesus, the Lord whose arrival John announced. It emphasizes that salvation requires human response, specifically repentance and genuine faith, creating a "straight path" in one's life for God's presence and kingdom to fully manifest.