Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Luke narrates John the Baptist's wilderness ministry around the Jordan, citing Isaiah 40:3 as the scriptural warrant for John's public preaching.
The words — γέγραπται (gegraptai), perfect passive of γράφω, "it has been written," marks the citation as a completed act with standing authority rather than a fresh composition.
The thread — The same Isaiah 40:3 text is John's own self-identification in John 1:23 and Zechariah's prophecy over the infant John in Luke 1:76.
Why it lands — The verse locates the reader inside the "way" being prepared, not outside it as an observer of John's performance.
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
As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
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.
- 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.’”
- 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,
- John 1:26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.
- Isaiah 62:10 Go out, go out through the gates; prepare the way for the people! Build it up, build up the highway; clear away the stones; raise a banner for the nations!
- John 1:7 He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe.
- John 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’
- Isaiah 57:14 And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”
- Luke 1:16 Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
- Malachi 4:6 And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”