Luke 3:4
What does Luke 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 3:4 means
Luke explicitly connects John's ministry to the ancient prophecy found in Isaiah. John is identified as the "voice of one crying in the wilderness," tasked with preparing the way for the Lord by making His paths straight. This Old Testament reference immediately positions John as a fulfillment of prophecy, validating his role as God's herald. His work was not a random occurrence but part of God's long-foretold plan to bring salvation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949As it says in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, The voice of one crying in the waste land, Make ready the way of the Lord, make his roads straight.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862as it hath been written in the scroll of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, `A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight make ye His paths;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890as it is written in [the] book of [the] words of Esaias the prophet: Voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of [the] Lord, make straight his paths.
Context
This verse directly links John the Baptist's ministry to the prophetic words of Isaiah, giving it significant biblical weight. It explains the divine purpose behind John's actions introduced in the prior verse. This connection establishes John's prophetic credentials, assuring readers that his ministry is a fulfillment of God's long-standing promises.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 40:3
The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.
- Mark 1:3
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight;
- John 3:28
Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him.
- Matthew 3:3
For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.
- Isaiah 57:14
And he will say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.
- Luke 1:16
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn unto the Lord their God.
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