New International Versionas it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” —
New Living Translationjust as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way.
English Standard VersionAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way,
Berean Standard BibleAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.”
Berean Literal BibleAs it has been written in the prophet Isaiah: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way."
King James BibleAs it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
New King James VersionAs it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.”
New American Standard Biblejust as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “BEHOLD, I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER BEFORE YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;
NASB 1995As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;
NASB 1977As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER BEFORE YOUR FACE, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;
Legacy Standard BibleAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;
Amplified BibleAs it is written and forever remains in the [writings of the] prophet Isaiah: “BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY—
Christian Standard BibleAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.
Holman Christian Standard BibleAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.
American Standard VersionEven as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way;
Contemporary English VersionIt began just as God had said in the book written by Isaiah the prophet, "I am sending my messenger to get the way ready for you.
English Revised VersionEven as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way;
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe prophet Isaiah wrote, "I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way for you."
Good News TranslationIt began as the prophet Isaiah had written: "God said, 'I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.'
International Standard VersionAs it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See! I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.
NET BibleAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way,
New Heart English BibleAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Look, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.
Webster's Bible TranslationAs it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee;
Weymouth New TestamentAs it is written in Isaiah the Prophet, "See, I am sending My messenger before Thee, Who will prepare Thy way"; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAs it is written in the prophets: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.”
World English BibleAs it is written in the prophets, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you: Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAs it has been written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, "" Who will prepare Your way before You.
Berean Literal BibleAs it has been written in the prophet Isaiah: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way."
Young's Literal Translation As it hath been written in the prophets, 'Lo, I send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee,' --
Smith's Literal TranslationAs it has been written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAs it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAs it has been written by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, I send my Angel before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.
New American BibleAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.
New Revised Standard VersionAs it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold I send my messenger before your face, that he may prepare your way,
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAs it is written in Isaiah the Prophet, “Behold, I shall send my messenger before your presence to prepare your way.” NT Translations Anderson New Testamentas it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way.
Godbey New TestamentAs has been written in the prophets; Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who will prepare thy way before thee;
Haweis New Testamentas it is written in the prophets; “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, he shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mace New Testament
It is written in the prophet, "behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
Weymouth New Testament
As it is written in Isaiah the Prophet, "See, I am sending My messenger before Thee, Who will prepare Thy way";
Worrell New Testament
As it has been written in Isaiah the prophet, "Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way;
Worsley New Testament
As it is written in the prophets, "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee:"
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Mission of John the Baptist1This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2Asit is writteninIsaiahtheprophet:“Behold,I will sendMymessengerahead of You,whowill prepareYourway.”3“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’ ”…
Cross References Malachi 3:1“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.
Isaiah 40:3A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
Matthew 11:10This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’
Luke 7:27This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’
John 1:23John 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.’”
Matthew 3:3This 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 3:4as 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 1:6-8There 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.
John 1:19-23And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ...
Matthew 17:10-13The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” / Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. / But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” ...
Luke 1:76And 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,
Acts 13:24-25Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. / As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
John 3:28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’
Matthew 21:32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Luke 1:16-17Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. / And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Treasury of Scripture As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you. written. Psalm 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the bookit is written of me, Matthew 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, Matthew 26:24,31 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born… in. Behold. Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. Matthew 11:10 For this ishe, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Luke 1:15-17,76 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb… Jump to Previous AheadBookFaceIsaiahMessengerPrepareProphetProphetsReadySendingServantWayWrittenJump to Next AheadBookFaceIsaiahMessengerPrepareProphetProphetsReadySendingServantWayWrittenMark 1 1.The office of John the Baptist.9.Jesus is baptized;12.tempted;14.he preaches;16.calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John;23.heals one that had a demon;29.Peter's mother in law;32.many diseased persons;40.and cleanses the leper.As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:This phrase introduces the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, emphasizing the continuity between the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. The reference to Isaiah highlights the prophetic tradition that anticipated the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah is one of the major prophets, and his writings are often cited in the New Testament to validate Jesus' messianic role. This phrase underscores the authority of Scripture and the divine plan unfolding through Jesus Christ. “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You,
This part of the verse refers to the prophecy concerning John the Baptist, who is identified as the messenger sent to prepare the way for Jesus. The imagery of a messenger is rooted in ancient practices where heralds would announce the arrival of a king. John the Baptist's role is crucial in the narrative of the Gospels, as he calls people to repentance and baptizes them, preparing their hearts for the coming of Christ. This aligns withMalachi 3:1, which also speaks of a messenger preparing the way. who will prepare Your way.”
The preparation of the way signifies the spiritual readiness required for the coming of the Lord. In the cultural context, preparing a way often involved making roads smooth and passable for dignitaries. Spiritually, this preparation involves repentance and turning back to God. John the Baptist's ministry is characterized by this call to repentance, setting the stage for Jesus' ministry. This preparation is not just physical but deeply spiritual, emphasizing the need for inner transformation to receive the Messiah. Persons / Places / Events 1. Isaiah the ProphetA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah's writings are often seen as foretelling the coming of the Messiah and the preparation for His arrival. 2. The MessengerThis refers to John the Baptist, who is the forerunner of Jesus Christ, preparing the way for His ministry. 3. The WaySymbolically represents the path or preparation for the coming of Jesus, emphasizing the need for spiritual readiness. Teaching Points Prophetic FulfillmentThe accuracy of biblical prophecy is demonstrated in the fulfillment of Isaiah's words through John the Baptist. This underscores the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture. Role of PreparationJust as John prepared the way for Jesus, believers are called to prepare their hearts and lives for Christ's work. This involves repentance and spiritual readiness. Importance of ObedienceJohn the Baptist's obedience to his calling serves as a model for Christians to follow God's direction, even when it requires sacrifice or leads to challenging circumstances. God's SovereigntyThe orchestration of events leading to Jesus' ministry highlights God's sovereign plan and timing, encouraging trust in His control over our lives. Witnessing and EvangelismLike John, Christians are called to be messengers, sharing the gospel and preparing others to receive Christ. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Mark 1:2?
2.How does Mark 1:2 fulfill Old Testament prophecy about John the Baptist's role?
3.What does "I will send My messenger" reveal about God's plan for Jesus?
4.How can we prepare our hearts for Jesus as John prepared the way?
5.Why is it important to recognize prophetic fulfillment in Mark 1:2 for our faith?
6.How does understanding Mark 1:2 strengthen our trust in God's promises today?
7.Why does Mark 1:2 reference Isaiah when quoting Malachi?
8.How does Mark 1:2 fulfill Old Testament prophecy?
9.What is the significance of the messenger in Mark 1:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 1?
11.In Mark 1:2–3, why does the text attribute a combined quote from Malachi and Isaiah solely to Isaiah?
12.Who is the promised messenger in Malachi?
13.Where should I begin reading the Bible?
14.Why does Matthew attribute a prophecy about thirty pieces of silver to Jeremiah when it actually comes from Zechariah?What Does Mark 1:2 Mean As it is written in Isaiah the prophet• Mark begins by anchoring the gospel in the written Word, underscoring that God’s plan for redemption unfolds exactly as foretold (Isaiah 46:9-10;Luke 24:27). • Quoting Isaiah links Jesus’ ministry to Israel’s prophetic hope and affirms the unity of Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21;Acts 3:18). • This citation also signals that the “good news” is not a new idea but the fulfillment of promises long recorded (Romans 1:2).
Behold• “Behold” is a divine summons to pay close attention, much likeRevelation 1:7 andJohn 1:29. • God Himself is speaking; the imperative invites hearers to shift from routine to expectancy, reminding us that God’s interventions are never casual.
I will send My messenger ahead of You• The “I” is God the Father, guaranteeing the certainty of the mission (Numbers 23:19). • “My messenger” is identified inMark 1:4 as John the Baptist, who comes in the spirit and power of Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6;Luke 1:16-17). • Sent “ahead of You” points to John’s subordinate yet essential role—he is not the Light but bears witness so all might believe through him (John 1:6-8). • The promise echoesExodus 23:20 andMalachi 3:1, showing a consistent pattern: God precedes His people with a herald before decisive acts of salvation.
who will prepare Your way• Preparation involves calling people to repentance (Mark 1:4;Acts 19:4) so they can receive the coming King with cleansed hearts (Isaiah 40:3-5). • “Your way” affirms Jesus’ divine identity: the path being prepared belongs to the Lord Himself (Psalm 24:7-10;John 14:6). • Practical outworking: repentance produces fruit (Luke 3:8), smoothing rough places in individual lives and corporate worship for Christ’s arrival.
summaryMark 1:2 assures us that God keeps His word. Long-promised in Isaiah and echoed by other prophets, John the Baptist appears as the divinely sent herald, calling people to readiness for Jesus’ revelation. The verse invites us to behold God’s faithfulness, recognize the authority of Scripture, and respond with repentant hearts so the Lord finds a prepared people when He draws near. (2) In the prophets.--The better MSS. give the more accurate reference, "in Esaias the prophet." On general grounds, however, it seems more probable that the general reference should have been specialised by a transcriber than the reverse. With one exception, and that very doubtful as to its genuineness (see Note on Mark 15:28), this is the only quotation from a prophet made by the Evangelist himself in this Gospel. The fact that St. Mark wrote for Gentiles furnishes a partial explanation of his silence in this respect, as compared with the other Gospels. (See Introduction.) Behold, I send my messenger.--See Notes onMatthew 11:10-11. Verse 2. - Even as it is written in the prophets. The weight of evidence is here in favor of the reading "in Isaiah the prophet." Three of the most important uncials ( א, B, and L), and twenty-six of the cursives, have the reading "Isaiah." With these agree the Italic, Coptic, and Vulgate versions. Of the Fathers, Irenaeus quotes the passage three times, twice using the words "in the prophets," and once "in Isaiah the prophet." Generally the Fathers agree that "Isaiah" is the received reading. The more natural reading would of course be "in the prophets," inasmuch as two prophets are quoted; but in deciding upon readings, it constantly happens that the less likely reading is the more probable. In the case before us we can hardly account for "Isaiah" being exchanged for "the prophets," although we can quite understand "the prophets" being interpolated for "Isaiah." Assuming, then, that St. Mark wrote "in Isaiah the prophet," we may ask why he mentions Isaiah only and not Malachi? The answer would seem to be this, that here the voice of Isaiah is the more powerful of the two. But in real truth, Malachi says the same thing that Isaiah says; for the messenger sent from God to prepare the way of Christ was none other than John, crying aloud and preaching repentance as a preparation for the receiving of the grace of Christ. The oracle of Malachi is, in fact, contained in the oracle of Isaiah; for what Malachi predicted, the same had Isaiah more clearly and concisely predicted in other words. And this is the reason why St. Mark here, and other evangelists elsewhere, when they cite two prophets, and two or more sentences from different places in the same connection, cite them as one and the same testimony, each sentence appearing to be not so much two, as one and the same declaration differently worded.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek AsΚαθὼς(Kathōs)Adverb
Strong's 2531:According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.it is writtenγέγραπται(gegraptai)Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125:A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.IsaiahἨσαΐᾳ(Ēsaia)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2268:Isaiah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Hesaias, an Israelite.theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.prophet:προφήτῃ(prophētē)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4396:From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.“Behold,Ἰδοὺ(Idou)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400:See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!I will sendἀποστέλλω(apostellō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 649:From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.Myμου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.messengerἄγγελόν(angelon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 32:From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.ahead of You,πρὸ(pro)Preposition
Strong's 4253:A primary preposition; 'fore', i.e. In front of, prior to.whoὃς(hos)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.will prepareκατασκευάσει(kataskeuasei)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2680:From kata and a derivative of skeuos; to prepare thoroughly; by implication, to construct, create.Yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.way.”ὁδόν(hodon)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3598:A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.
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NT Gospels: Mark 1:2 As it is written in the prophets (Mar Mk Mr) |
