Matthew 3:3-5
New Catholic Bible
3 “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ ”[a]
4 John’s clothing was made of camel’s hair, with a leather loincloth around his waist, and his food consisted of locusts and wild honey.[b] 5 The people of Jerusalem and the whole of Judea and the entire region along the Jordan went out to him,
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- Matthew 3:3 All four Gospels quote Isa 40:3 and apply it to John the Baptist. Make his paths straight: a phrase that is equivalent to “Prepare the way for the Lord” in Lk 3:4. In ancient times, when the king was to travel to a distant land, the roads were improved. Similarly, the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Messiah was made by John in calling for repentance and the remission of sins and announcing the need for a Savior.
- Matthew 3:4 John’s simple food, clothing, and lifestyle were reminiscent of Elijah (see 2 Ki 17), and Jesus later declares that John was the Elijah who had already come (see Mt 17:10ff; see also Mal 3:23).
Matthew 3:3-5
King James Version
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.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
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Matthew 3:3-5
New King James Version
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
(A)“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
(B)‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
4 Now (C)John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was (D)locusts and (E)wild honey. 5 (F)Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him
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Matthew 3:3-5
English Standard Version
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
(A)“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
(B)‘Prepare[a] the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”
4 Now John wore (C)a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was (D)locusts and (E)wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him,
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- Matthew 3:3 Or crying: Prepare in the wilderness
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
