Isaiah 40:3
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Isaiah 40 begins a section of comfort for a people in exile. The herald's cry announces God's coming and is later applied by all four Gospels to John the Baptist.
What Does Isaiah 40:3 Mean?
Isaiah 40:3 is the call of a herald to prepare the way for the coming of the LORD. The chapter opens the second great movement of Isaiah with comfort for God's people, and this verse announces that God Himself is coming. A voice cries out, summoning people to ready the road for His arrival.
The imagery comes from the ancient practice of clearing and leveling a road before a king's approach -- removing obstacles, filling valleys, straightening the path. Spiritually, it pictures the preparation of hearts: removing the barriers of sin and pride so that God can enter and reign. The setting "in the wilderness" is significant; God comes even to the barren places, and the path is to be made for Him there. All four Gospels apply this verse to John the Baptist, who prepared people for Jesus by calling them to repentance. The herald's task is not to build the road by which God comes -- God is coming regardless -- but to ready the people to receive Him. The verse still calls every reader to the same preparation: clear away what blocks God's coming, and make the way straight for the King who draws near.
In the Original Language
"Prepare" is panu, to clear or make ready. "Highway" is mesillah, a raised, built-up road. The word "way" is derech, a road or path.
Cross References
“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.”
- Matthew 3:3
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”
- Mark 1:3
“Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low.”
- Luke 3:5
Application
Prepare your heart for God's coming by clearing away the obstacles of sin and pride that block His entrance.
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