Matthew 3:3

Tuesday, 27 August 2024

For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’” Matthew 3:3

“For this is he, having been spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, ‘A voice hollering in the desolate, “Prepare the Lord’s way. Make straight His paths.”’” (CG).

In the previous verse, it was noted that John the Baptist had proclaimed that people were to reconsider because the kingdom of the heavens was at hand. Now, the narrative continues, telling us how John’s ministry was prophesied in advance, saying, “For this is he, having been spoken by Isaiah the prophet.”

The words are those of Matthew, not John the Baptist. However, in John 1, John the Baptist uses similar words when referring to himself –

“Then they said to him, ‘Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?’
23 He said: ‘I am
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’”
as the prophet Isaiah said.’” John 1:22, 23

John knew that he was the fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by Isaiah. Matthew clearly understood this as well. There was to be a forerunner to the Messiah and John the Baptist was that person. Understanding that, Matthew next writes, “saying, ‘A voice hollering in the desolate.’”

The citation being given is from the Greek translation of the Old Testament with a few minor exceptions. In this clause, the Greek word is boaó. Strong’s suggests it is a prolonged form of a primary verb signifying to halloo.

In other words, to shout for help or in a tumultuous way. The Hebrew uses the word qara, to call or proclaim, but this word gives a stronger force. John bellowed out his enunciations. As such, the word holler fits well. As for his proclamation, the words of Isaiah continue, saying, “Prepare the Lord’s way. Make straight His paths.”

The difference between the Greek Old Testament and Matthew’s words is found here. In the Septuagint, it says, “Make straight the roads of our God.” Here Matthew’s words are condensed. It is probably how John the Baptist said it because he was already proclaiming the coming of the Lord.

As for the meaning, the words of Matthew do not include everything from Isaiah as cited by Luke. The reason is probably because Matthew is addressing a Jewish audience. They would understand the shorter sense of the words without a need for the additional explanation. However, the rest of the citation says –

“Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough places smooth;
5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:4, 5

Albert Barnes gives the explanation of the words –

“The custom here referred to is continued in the East at the present time. ‘When Ibrahim Pasha proposed to visit certain places on Lebanon, the emeers and sheiks sent forth a general proclamation, somewhat in the style of Isaiah's exhortation, to all the inhabitants, to assemble along the proposed route and prepare the way before him. The same was done in 1845, on a grand scale, when the present sultan visited Brousa. The stones were gathered out, the crooked places straightened, and the rough ones made level and smooth.’ - The Land and the Book, Vol i. pp. 105, 106.”

As these things were customary in the Middle East, and as the question addressed to John the Baptist in John 1:23 contains a response from John the Baptist, there is no reason to assume that there is anything contradictory in any of the accounts. When everything is considered, each account provides a bit of detail necessary for the intended audience to know exactly what is being referred to.

Life application: Isaiah 40 hints at the returnees from Babylon as the immediate subject of what is being referred to. However, like the prophecy concerning the virgin from Isaiah Chapter 7, which was cited in Matthew 1:23, it is certain that a future fulfillment of the words of Isaiah was intended. If this were not the case, John could not have claimed he was that fulfillment.

And more, as the account from Isaiah is referred to in all four gospels, it would be highly unlikely that there would not be a challenge to what is recorded concerning this matter. And yet, the gospels bear witness to the fact that a greater fulfillment of Isaiah’s words was anticipated.

John was sent to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. He eventually proclaimed that Jesus was the One who he was sent to herald. Taken together with the almost innumerable references to the coming of the Messiah and the fact that Jesus perfectly fulfilled them all, it is certain He is Israel’s true Messiah.

Even the fact that Israel would reject Him was prophesied in advance. And more, the fact that the Gentiles would openly receive Him was as well. In the end, whether Jew or Gentile, there is no excuse for those who willingly reject Jesus. For us, there is no excuse that we are not a part of telling others who haven’t heard of Him.

Not everyone is an evangelist or missionary, but everyone can help support such people. And there is no reason for anyone to not at least be willing to leave tracts for those they encounter. If you haven’t been given the gift of expressing yourself, you can at least give the gift of a tract in which someone else has. Tell! People need Jesus.

Lord God, Jesus has come. May we not fail to be a part of getting this word out to others. Each of us has been given some ability to do so. And so, Lord, give us the wisdom to follow through with this. The gospel of Jesus Christ – it is what the world so desperately needs. Amen.