Luke 3:4

ESV As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

NIV 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.

NASB as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: 'THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘PREPARE THE WAY OF THE Lord, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!

CSB as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight!

NLT Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, 'He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!

KJV 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.

NKJV as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.

What does Luke 3:4 mean?

An angel prophesied the birth of John the Baptist, saying he would serve to turn many in Israel towards the Messiah (Luke 1:16–17). This corresponds to prophecies such as those found in Malachi 3:1 and Malachi 4:5–6. John's preaching ministry did just that: he told people about the coming of Christ and directed others to follow Jesus when He began His public ministry (John 1:26–34; 3:28–30).

Here, Luke quotes from Isaiah 40:3–5 to further prove that John the Baptist fulfills prophecy. Scripture not only predicted details such as the place of Messiah's birth (Micah 5:2) and the nature of His death (Isaiah 53:12). It also spoke of a messenger who would announce the Savior's arrival (Luke 3:3). John has spent most of his life living in the desert (Luke 1:80). When he began to preach, his message was precisely what both prophecy and his own parents anticipated (Luke 1:76–77).

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