Mark 1:2
New International Version
as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” —

New Living Translation
just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way.

English Standard Version
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way,

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

Berean Literal Bible
As it has been written in the prophet Isaiah: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way."

King James Bible
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

New King James Version
As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.”

New American Standard Bible
just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “BEHOLD, I AM SENDING MY MESSENGER BEFORE YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;

NASB 1995
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;

NASB 1977
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER BEFORE YOUR FACE, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;

Legacy Standard Bible
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;

Amplified Bible
As 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 Bible
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.

American Standard Version
Even as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way;

Contemporary English Version
It 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 Version
Even as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The prophet Isaiah wrote, "I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way for you."

Good News Translation
It 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 Version
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See! I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.

Majority Standard Bible
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before you.”

NET Bible
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way,

New Heart English Bible
As 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 Translation
As it is written in the prophets, 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";

World English Bible
As 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 Version
As it has been written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, "" Who will prepare Your way before You.

Berean Literal Bible
As 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 Translation
As 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 Bible
As 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 Version
As 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 Bible
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.

New Revised Standard Version
As 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 Bible
As 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 English
As it is written in Isaiah the Prophet, “Behold, I shall send my messenger before your presence to prepare your way.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way.

Godbey New Testament
As has been written in the prophets; Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who will prepare thy way before thee;

Haweis New Testament
as 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 Baptist
1This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.” 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 40:3
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 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.’

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.’

John 1:23
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.’”

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.’”

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.

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.

John 1:19-23
And 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 17:10-13
The 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 1:76
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,

Acts 13:24-25
Before 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 3:28
You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’

Matthew 21:32
For 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 1:16-17
Many 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 book it 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 is he, 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…

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Mark 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 prophecy, a common theme in the Gospel of Mark. The phrase "as it is written" is a formulaic expression used to assert the authority of Scripture. The Greek word for "written" is "γέγραπται" (gegraptai), which is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing relevance. This underscores the enduring truth and authority of the prophetic word. The reference to "Isaiah the prophet" highlights the importance of the prophetic tradition in validating Jesus' mission. Isaiah, a major prophet in the Hebrew Bible, is often cited in the New Testament to demonstrate the continuity between the Old and New Covenants. This connection emphasizes the divine orchestration of salvation history.

“Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You
The word "Behold" (ἰδού, idou) is an imperative that calls the reader's attention to something significant. It is a divine announcement, underscoring the importance of the message. The phrase "I will send My messenger" is a direct reference to Malachi 3:1, which speaks of a messenger preparing the way for the Lord. The Greek word for "messenger" is "ἄγγελος" (angelos), which can also mean "angel," but in this context, it refers to a human messenger, specifically John the Baptist. The phrase "ahead of You" indicates the preparatory role of the messenger, setting the stage for the coming of Jesus. This highlights the divine plan and the orderly unfolding of God's redemptive work.

who will prepare Your way.”
The verb "prepare" (κατασκευάσει, kataskeuasei) means to make ready or to construct. It implies intentionality and effort in making the path suitable for the coming of the Lord. This preparation is both spiritual and moral, calling people to repentance and readiness for the Messiah's arrival. The "way" (ὁδόν, hodon) is a metaphor for the path of life and conduct. In the biblical context, it often refers to the way of righteousness and obedience to God. The preparation of the way signifies the need for a transformation of heart and mind, aligning with God's purposes. This phrase encapsulates the mission of John the Baptist, whose call to repentance and baptism was a crucial step in preparing the people for Jesus' ministry.

(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 on Matthew 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
As
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.

it is written
γέγραπται (gegraptai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

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.

Isaiah
Ἠσαΐᾳ (Ēsaia)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2268: Isaiah, the prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Hesaias, an Israelite.

the
τῷ (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 send
ἀποστέλλω (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.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

messenger
ἄγγελόν (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.

who
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

will prepare
κατασκευάσει (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.

Your
σου (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)
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