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."
John the Baptist identifies himself not as the Messiah but as merely a voice—emphasizing his role as herald rather than the main figure. The wilderness setting recalls Israel's formative period and suggests spiritual renewal happens outside established religious centers. This imperative calls for removing spiritual obstacles and preparing hearts for God's arrival, echoing ancient Near Eastern practice of clearing roads for approaching royalty. John's message demands repentance as the necessary preparation for receiving the coming Messiah. John explicitly connects his ministry to Isaiah 40:3, demonstrating prophetic fulfillment and validating his authority. This citation links the immediate moment to centuries of Jewish expectation for divine deliverance.