Devine Scripture

Mark 1:3

What does Mark 1:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 1:3 means

This verse continues the prophetic quotation, further describing the messenger's role: a powerful voice crying out in the wilderness, urging people to prepare for the Lord's arrival and to make His paths straight. This imagery speaks to both a spiritual and practical preparation, calling for a change of heart and removal of obstacles that hinder God's work. The wilderness setting also emphasizes the messenger's solitary and uncompromised mission, separate from established religious institutions.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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 · 1949

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 · 1862

`A voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight make ye his paths,' --

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of [the] Lord, make his paths straight.

Context

Building on verse 2, this verse elaborates on the nature of the preparatory work. It sets the stage for the literal appearance of John the Baptist, whose ministry is described immediately afterward. This prophetic framework ensures the reader understands John's significance not as an end in himself, but as a crucial herald for the Lord Jesus Christ.

v.2Even as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way;

v.3This passage

v.4John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 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.

  • John 1:15

    John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me.

  • 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.

  • John 1:19

    And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent unto him from Jerusalem priests and Levites to ask him, Who art thou?

  • Luke 3:4

    as 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.

  • John 3:28

    Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him.

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