Bible Strands
John 1:23
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John answers the officials who sent him by quoting Isaiah to clarify his identity. He speaks this response directly to them during his wilderness ministry.
The words — ἔφη (ephē) means "He was saying," and ἐγώ (egō) identifies the speaker as "I myself." The phrase φωνή (phōnē) "a voice" combined with βοῶντος (boōntos) "crying" defines his role as one proclaiming in the wilderness.
The thread — This quotation traces directly to Isaiah 40:3 and is later cited in Matthew 3:3 and Mark 1:3 to identify the preparer of the Lord's path.
Why it lands — The text states John's function is to prepare a straight path rather than to be the destination itself. It requires readers to actively remove obstacles and align their lives with the coming Lord.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 40:3 A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
- Mark 1:3 “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”
- Matthew 3:3 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.’”
- Luke 1:16 Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
- Luke 1:76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
- Luke 3:4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.
- John 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’