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href="/bsb/john/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/1.htm">New International Version</a> John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, &#8220I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, &#8216Make straight the way for the Lord.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the LORD’s coming!’” <a href="/esv/john/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” <a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.’” <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> He was saying, "I am a voice crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as Isaiah the prophet said. <a href="/kjv/john/1.htm">King James Bible</a> He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. <a href="/nkjv/john/1.htm">New King James Version</a> He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” <a href="/nasb_/john/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> He said, “I am THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE THE WAY OF THE LORD STRAIGHT,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” <a href="/nasb/john/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> He said, &#8220I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, &#8216MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,&#8217 as Isaiah the prophet said.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” <a href="/lsb/john/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” <a href="/amp/john/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He said, “I am THE VOICE OF ONE SHOUTING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” <a href="/csb/john/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord —just as Isaiah the prophet said.” <a href="/hcsb/john/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He said, &#8220I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord—just as Isaiah the prophet said.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet. <a href="/cev/john/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> John answered in the words of the prophet Isaiah, "I am only someone shouting in the desert, 'Get the road ready for the Lord!'" <a href="/erv/john/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet. <a href="/gwt/john/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> John said, "I'm a voice crying out in the desert, 'Make the way for the Lord straight,' as the prophet Isaiah said." <a href="/gnt/john/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> John answered by quoting the prophet Isaiah: "I am 'the voice of someone shouting in the desert: Make a straight path for the Lord to travel!'" <a href="/isv/john/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> He replied, "I am '…a voice crying out in the wilderness, "Prepare the Lord's highway,"' as the prophet Isaiah said." <a href="/msb/john/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.?? <a href="/net/john/1.htm">NET Bible</a> John said, "I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said." <a href="/nheb/john/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said." <a href="/wbt/john/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "I am the voice," he replied, "of one crying aloud, 'Make straight the Lord's way in the Desert,' fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah." <a href="/web/john/1.htm">World English Bible</a> He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> He said, “I [am] a voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the LORD, as Isaiah the prophet said.” <a href="/blb/john/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> He was saying, "I am a voice crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as Isaiah the prophet said. <a href="/ylt/john/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> He said, 'I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.' <a href="/slt/john/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> He said, I the voice of him crying in the desert, Make ye straight the way of the Lord, as said Esaias the prophet.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> He said: I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias. <a href="/cpdv/john/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> He said, “I am a voice crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ just as the prophet Isaiah said.” <a href="/nabre/john/1.htm">New American Bible</a> He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Straighten the highway of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> He said: “I am the voice that cries in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of THE LORD JEHOVAH', just as that which Isaiah the Prophet said.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> He said: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord; as said the prophet Isaiah.<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> I am the voice of one roaring in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord as Isaiah the prophet said. <a href="/haweis/john/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> He said, I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way for the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah. <a href="/mace/john/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> "I am, said he, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, clear the way of the Lord," as said the prophet Esaias. <a href="/wey/john/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "I am the voice," he replied, "of one crying aloud, 'Make straight the Lord's way in the Desert,' fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah." <a href="/worrell/john/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> He said, "'I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as said Isaiah the prophet. <a href="/worsley/john/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and he said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord," according to Esaias the prophet. <a href="/parallel/john/1-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=164" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/1.htm">The Mission of John the Baptist</a> …22So they said to him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23<a href="/greek/5346.htm" title="5346: Ephē (V-IIA-3S) -- To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.">John replied</a> <a href="/greek/2531.htm" title="2531: kathōs (Adv) -- According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.">in</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">the words of</a> <a href="/greek/2268.htm" title="2268: Ēsaias (N-NMS) -- Isaiah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Hesaias, an Israelite.">Isaiah</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4396.htm" title="4396: prophētēs (N-NMS) -- From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.">prophet:</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: Egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">“I am</a> <a href="/greek/5456.htm" title="5456: phōnē (N-NFS) -- Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.">a voice</a> <a href="/greek/994.htm" title="994: boōntos (V-PPA-GMS) -- To shout, call aloud, proclaim. Apparently a prolonged form of a primary verb; to halloo, i.e. Shout.">of one calling</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2048.htm" title="2048: erēmō (Adj-DFS) -- Lonesome, i.e. waste.">wilderness,</a> <a href="/greek/2116.htm" title="2116: Euthynate (V-AMA-2P) -- From euthus; to straighten; technically, to steer.">‘Make straight</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3598.htm" title="3598: hodon (N-AFS) -- A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.">way</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyriou (N-GMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">for the Lord.’”</a> 24Then the Pharisees who had been sent…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a> A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. <a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Matthew 3:3</a> 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.’” <a href="/mark/1-3.htm">Mark 1:3</a> “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” <a href="/luke/3-4.htm">Luke 3:4</a> 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. <a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1</a> “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a> You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ <a href="/matthew/11-10.htm">Matthew 11:10</a> This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ <a href="/mark/1-2.htm">Mark 1:2</a> As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” <a href="/luke/1-76.htm">Luke 1:76</a> 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, <a href="/luke/7-27.htm">Luke 7:27</a> This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ <a href="/acts/19-4.htm">Acts 19:4</a> Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” <a href="/matthew/21-26.htm">Matthew 21:26</a> But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.” <a href="/mark/11-32.htm">Mark 11:32</a> But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet. <a href="/luke/20-6.htm">Luke 20:6</a> But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” <a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6-8</a> There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. / He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.I am.<a href="/john/3-28.htm">John 3:28</a> Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.<a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Matthew 3:3</a> 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.<a href="/mark/1-3.htm">Mark 1:3</a> The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.as said.<a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3-5</a> The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/1-15.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/john/1-15.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/luke/11-24.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/luke/4-17.htm">Esaias</a> <a href="/luke/21-22.htm">Fulfilling</a> <a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Isaiah</a> <a href="/john/1-19.htm">John</a> <a href="/luke/22-61.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/luke/5-12.htm">Make</a> <a href="/luke/8-12.htm">Path</a> <a href="/john/1-21.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/matthew/20-7.htm">Said</a> <a href="/luke/22-60.htm">Straight</a> <a href="/luke/23-46.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/john/1-17.htm">Way</a> <a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/luke/24-44.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/7-28.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/john/12-13.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/john/3-14.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/john/12-38.htm">Esaias</a> <a href="/acts/13-25.htm">Fulfilling</a> <a href="/john/12-38.htm">Isaiah</a> <a href="/john/1-26.htm">John</a> <a href="/acts/7-31.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/acts/4-24.htm">Make</a> <a href="/john/16-1.htm">Path</a> <a href="/john/1-25.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/john/21-16.htm">Said</a> <a href="/john/5-9.htm">Straight</a> <a href="/john/3-8.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/john/3-14.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/john/2-6.htm">Way</a> <a href="/john/3-14.htm">Wilderness</a> <a href="/john/2-17.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">John 1</div>1. <a href="/john/1-1.htm">The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.</a> 15. <a href="/john/1-15.htm">The testimony of John.</a> 39. <a href="/john/1-39.htm">The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: John the Baptist identifies himself using the words of <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a>, establishing his role as a forerunner to the Messiah. This connection to Isaiah underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, highlighting the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. By quoting Isaiah, John aligns himself with the prophetic tradition, emphasizing the divine authority and purpose of his mission.I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness: The wilderness symbolizes a place of preparation and transformation in biblical narratives. It is where God often meets His people, as seen with Moses and the Israelites. John's ministry in the wilderness signifies a call to repentance and spiritual renewal, away from the distractions of society. The imagery of a "voice" emphasizes the urgency and clarity of John's message, serving as a divine herald for the coming of Christ.Make straight the way for the Lord: This phrase calls for the removal of obstacles and the preparation of hearts to receive the Lord. It echoes the ancient practice of clearing and leveling roads for the arrival of a king, symbolizing the need for spiritual readiness. The "way" refers to the path of righteousness and faith, preparing for the advent of Jesus, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise. This call to action is a central theme in John's ministry, urging people to repent and align their lives with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_baptist.htm">John the Baptist</a> A pivotal figure in the New Testament, John the Baptist is known for his role in preparing the way for Jesus Christ. He is a prophet who calls people to repentance and baptizes them as a sign of their commitment to God. 2. <a href="/topical/i/isaiah_the_prophet.htm">Isaiah the Prophet</a> An Old Testament prophet whose writings include prophecies about the coming Messiah. John the Baptist quotes Isaiah to identify his mission and role. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a> A significant location in biblical accounts, often symbolizing a place of testing, preparation, and revelation. John the Baptist's ministry takes place in the wilderness, emphasizing the need for spiritual readiness. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The Lord</a> Referring to Jesus Christ, whose coming John the Baptist is preparing for. The term underscores the divine authority and mission of Jesus. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_israel.htm">The People of Israel</a> The primary audience of John the Baptist's message, representing those who are called to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_a_forerunner.htm">The Role of a Forerunner</a> John the Baptist's mission was to prepare the hearts of the people for Jesus. We, too, are called to prepare our hearts and the hearts of others for Christ's work in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a> John's message in the wilderness was one of repentance. True preparation for the Lord involves turning away from sin and aligning our lives with God's will. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_simplicity_and_focus.htm">The Call to Simplicity and Focus</a> John's ministry in the wilderness reminds us of the need to strip away distractions and focus on God's voice and purpose for our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">The Fulfillment of Prophecy</a> John's quoting of Isaiah highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises. We can trust that God's word will come to pass in our lives. <a href="/topical/b/being_a_voice_in_the_wilderness.htm">Being a Voice in the Wilderness</a> Like John, we are called to be voices in our own "wildernesses," proclaiming the truth of the Gospel and preparing the way for others to encounter Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 1</a> <a href="/q/key_elements_of_christ's_death_resurrection.htm">What are the key elements of Christ's death and resurrection?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'dominion_and_endure'_mean.htm">What is the significance of John's baptism in Bethabara?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_john's_bethabara_baptism_important.htm">What is the significance of John's baptism in Bethabara?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_40_3_fit_isaiah's_era.htm">Isaiah 40:3: If this prophecy supposedly points to John the Baptist, how does it align with the immediate historical setting of Isaiah’s time? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) But he still gives the "No." They think of his person and his work. He thinks of neither. His eye is fixed on the coming One. In this presence his own personality has no existence. He is as a voice, not to be inquired about but heard. They are acting as men who ask questions about the messenger of a great king who is coming to them and is at hand, instead of hastening with every effort to make ready for him. (Comp. Note on <a href="/matthew/3-3.htm" title="For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.">Matthew 3:3</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - He said, I am a voice crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet. This great utterance had been by the synoptists distinctly applied to the Baptist (<a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Matthew 3:3</a>; <a href="/mark/1-3.htm">Mark 1:3</a>; <a href="/luke/3-4.htm">Luke 3:4</a>); here we have the origin of such application. The Baptist quoted from <a href="/isaiah/40-3.htm">Isaiah 40:3</a> two sentences; the synoptists cite the whole passage, as finding abundant realization in the mission of John. The prophet felt that the work he had to perform entirely concealed the importance of his own personality. He lost himself in his office and in his message. Isaiah, when foreseeing the revival of the nation, then wandering in a spiritual "wilderness," along rugged ridges, savage precipices, stony gorges, of a symbolic desert, anticipated the return of the Jehovah to his own sanctuary, and declared that ample prophetic preparation was needed, so that the people, by repentance and reformation, might understand that Israel had received double for all her sins. "Hark!" says he, "a crier, or a voice." The herald has gone forth to break the silence that lay between the land of captivity and the land of promise. "In the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord." Israel was to see that there was neither self-righteousness nor moral rebellion to impede the approach of One who was mighty to save. A portion of this very oracle is quoted by Malachi when he exclaims, "Behold, I send my messenger before my face, who shall prepare the way before me." This "messenger before the face of the Lord" is no other than he who should come in the spirit and power of Elijah. John, therefore, gathered up the significance of both prophecies, when he spoke of himself as "a voice crying in the wilderness [actual and symbolical], Make straight the way of the Lord." The Hebrew text, as we have translated it above, associates the words, "in the wilderness," with "make straight." rather than with "the voice crying." The quotation by the evangelist from the LXX. will suffer either arrangement of the words. <a href="/commentaries/john/1-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[John] replied Ἔφη (Ephē) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5346.htm">Strong's 5346: </a> To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say. in καθὼς (kathōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2531.htm">Strong's 2531: </a> According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that. the words of εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. Isaiah Ἠσαΐας (Ēsaias) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2268.htm">Strong's 2268: </a> Isaiah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Hesaias, an Israelite. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. prophet: προφήτης (prophētēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4396.htm">Strong's 4396: </a> From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet. “I [am] Ἐγὼ (Egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. the voice φωνὴ (phōnē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5456.htm">Strong's 5456: </a> Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language. of one calling βοῶντος (boōntos) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_994.htm">Strong's 994: </a> To shout, call aloud, proclaim. Apparently a prolonged form of a primary verb; to halloo, i.e. Shout. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. wilderness, ἐρήμῳ (erēmō) Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2048.htm">Strong's 2048: </a> Lonesome, i.e. waste. ‘Make straight Εὐθύνατε (Euthynate) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2116.htm">Strong's 2116: </a> From euthus; to straighten; technically, to steer. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. way ὁδὸν (hodon) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3598.htm">Strong's 3598: </a> A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means. for [the] Lord.’” Κυρίου (Kyriou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/1-23.htm">NT Gospels: John 1:23 He said I am the voice (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/1-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 1:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 1:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/1-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 1:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 1:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>