John 1:23
New International Version
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

New Living Translation
John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the LORD’s coming!’”

English Standard Version
He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Berean Standard Bible
John 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.’”

Berean Literal Bible
He was saying, "I am a voice crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as Isaiah the prophet said.

King James Bible
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

New King James Version
He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

New American Standard Bible
He said, “I am THE VOICE OF ONE CALLING OUT IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE THE WAY OF THE LORD STRAIGHT,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

NASB 1995
He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

NASB 1977
He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Legacy Standard Bible
He said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Amplified Bible
He said, “I am THE VOICE OF ONE SHOUTING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Christian Standard Bible
He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord —just as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord—just as Isaiah the prophet said.”

American Standard Version
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.

Contemporary English Version
John answered in the words of the prophet Isaiah, "I am only someone shouting in the desert, 'Get the road ready for the Lord!'"

English Revised Version
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
John said, "I'm a voice crying out in the desert, 'Make the way for the Lord straight,' as the prophet Isaiah said."

Good News Translation
John answered by quoting the prophet Isaiah: "I am 'the voice of someone shouting in the desert: Make a straight path for the Lord to travel!'"

International Standard Version
He replied, "I am '…a voice crying out in the wilderness, "Prepare the Lord's highway,"' as the prophet Isaiah said."

Majority Standard Bible
John 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.??

NET Bible
John said, "I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said."

New Heart English Bible
He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said."

Webster's Bible Translation
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.

Weymouth New Testament
"I am the voice," he replied, "of one crying aloud, 'Make straight the Lord's way in the Desert,' fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah."

World English Bible
He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He said, “I [am] a voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the LORD, as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Berean Literal Bible
He was saying, "I am a voice crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as Isaiah the prophet said.

Young's Literal Translation
He said, 'I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.'

Smith's Literal Translation
He said, I the voice of him crying in the desert, Make ye straight the way of the Lord, as said Esaias the prophet.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He said: I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He said, “I am a voice crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ just as the prophet Isaiah said.”

New American Bible
He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

New Revised Standard Version
He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Straighten the highway of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He said: “I am the voice that cries in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of THE LORD JEHOVAH', just as that which Isaiah the Prophet said.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He said: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord; as said the prophet Isaiah.

Godbey New Testament
I am the voice of one roaring in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord as Isaiah the prophet said.

Haweis New Testament
He said, I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way for the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.

Mace New Testament
"I am, said he, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, clear the way of the Lord," as said the prophet Esaias.

Weymouth New Testament
"I am the voice," he replied, "of one crying aloud, 'Make straight the Lord's way in the Desert,' fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah."

Worrell New Testament
He said, "'I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as said Isaiah the prophet.

Worsley New Testament
and he said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord," according to Esaias the prophet.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Mission of John the Baptist
22So they said to him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 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.’” 24Then the Pharisees who had been sent…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.

Matthew 3:3
This 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.’”

Mark 1:3
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”

Luke 3:4
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.

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.

John 3:28
You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’

Matthew 11:10
This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’

Mark 1:2
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.”

Luke 1:76
And 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,

Luke 7:27
This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’

Acts 19:4
Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Matthew 21:26
But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”

Mark 11:32
But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.

Luke 20:6
But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

John 1:6-8
There 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.


Treasury of Scripture

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

I am.

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

Mark 1:3
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

as said.

Isaiah 40:3-5
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God…

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John 1
1. The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.
15. The testimony of John.
39. The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael














I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness
This phrase is a direct reference to the prophecy found in Isaiah 40:3, which John the Baptist uses to describe his own ministry. The Greek word for "voice" (φωνή, phōnē) emphasizes the role of John as a herald, one who announces the coming of someone greater. In the historical context, a herald would precede a king, preparing the way for his arrival. The "wilderness" (ἔρημος, erēmos) is both a literal and symbolic location. Literally, John preached in the Judean wilderness, a barren and desolate area. Symbolically, the wilderness represents a place of spiritual barrenness and need for repentance, echoing Israel's history of wandering and renewal.

Make straight the way for the Lord
The phrase "make straight" (εὐθύνατε, euthynate) is a call to prepare and clear the path, removing obstacles that might hinder the coming of the Lord. This preparation is not just physical but spiritual, calling for repentance and a return to righteousness. The "way" (ὁδός, hodos) signifies a path or road, but in a deeper sense, it represents the journey of faith and obedience to God. The "Lord" (Κύριος, Kyrios) here refers to Jesus Christ, affirming His divine authority and messianic role. Historically, this preparation echoes the ancient practice of preparing roads for the arrival of a king, ensuring a smooth and unhindered passage.

said the prophet Isaiah
This reference to "the prophet Isaiah" (Ἠσαΐας, Ēsaias) underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the New Testament narrative. Isaiah's prophecies were well-known among the Jewish people, and John's use of this specific prophecy would have resonated deeply with his audience, affirming his role as the forerunner of the Messiah. The connection to Isaiah also highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture, from the promises made to Israel to their fulfillment in Christ. This continuity is a testament to God's faithfulness and the reliability of His Word.

(23) But he still gives the "No." They think of his person and his work. He thinks of neither. His eye is fixed on the coming One. In this presence his own personality has no existence. He is as a voice, not to be inquired about but heard. They are acting as men who ask questions about the messenger of a great king who is coming to them and is at hand, instead of hastening with every effort to make ready for him. (Comp. Note on Matthew 3:3.)

Verse 23. - He said, I am a voice crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet. This great utterance had been by the synoptists distinctly applied to the Baptist (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4); here we have the origin of such application. The Baptist quoted from Isaiah 40:3 two sentences; the synoptists cite the whole passage, as finding abundant realization in the mission of John. The prophet felt that the work he had to perform entirely concealed the importance of his own personality. He lost himself in his office and in his message. Isaiah, when foreseeing the revival of the nation, then wandering in a spiritual "wilderness," along rugged ridges, savage precipices, stony gorges, of a symbolic desert, anticipated the return of the Jehovah to his own sanctuary, and declared that ample prophetic preparation was needed, so that the people, by repentance and reformation, might understand that Israel had received double for all her sins. "Hark!" says he, "a crier, or a voice." The herald has gone forth to break the silence that lay between the land of captivity and the land of promise. "In the wilderness prepare ye the way of the Lord." Israel was to see that there was neither self-righteousness nor moral rebellion to impede the approach of One who was mighty to save. A portion of this very oracle is quoted by Malachi when he exclaims, "Behold, I send my messenger before my face, who shall prepare the way before me." This "messenger before the face of the Lord" is no other than he who should come in the spirit and power of Elijah. John, therefore, gathered up the significance of both prophecies, when he spoke of himself as "a voice crying in the wilderness [actual and symbolical], Make straight the way of the Lord." The Hebrew text, as we have translated it above, associates the words, "in the wilderness," with "make straight." rather than with "the voice crying." The quotation by the evangelist from the LXX. will suffer either arrangement of the words.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[John] replied
Ἔφη (Ephē)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5346: To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.

in
καθὼς (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.

the words of
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

Isaiah
Ἠσαΐας (Ēsaias)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2268: Isaiah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Hesaias, an Israelite.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative 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:
προφήτης (prophētēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.

“I [am]
Ἐγὼ (Egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

the voice
φωνὴ (phōnē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.

of one calling
βοῶντος (boōntos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 994: To shout, call aloud, proclaim. Apparently a prolonged form of a primary verb; to halloo, i.e. Shout.

in
ἐν (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.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wilderness,
ἐρήμῳ (erēmō)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2048: Lonesome, i.e. waste.

‘Make straight
Εὐθύνατε (Euthynate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2116: From euthus; to straighten; technically, to steer.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

way
ὁδὸν (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.

for [the] Lord.’”
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.


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NT Gospels: John 1:23 He said I am the voice (Jhn Jo Jn)
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