John 1:23 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

²³ He replied, “I am the voice of a man who is calling out in the desert, [urging people to] ‘Make the road for the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said, [Isa. 40:3].”

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

²³ He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

²³ He said, I am the voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness [the voice of one shouting in the desert], Prepare the way of the Lord [level, straighten out, the path of the Lord], as the prophet Isaiah said. [Isa. 40:3.]

American Standard Version (1901)

²³ He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.

Common English Bible

²³ John replied, “I am a voice crying out in the wilderness, Make the Lord’s path straight, just as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Catholic Public Domain Version

²³ He said, "I am a voice crying out in the desert, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' just as the prophet Isaiah said."

John 1:23 Cross References

Mark 1:3

He will be the voice of a man shouting out in the desert, [urging people] to make the road for the Lord ready [to travel on]; to make a straight pathway for him.”

Matthew 3:3

For this is the man who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, who said, [Isa. 40:3], “[It is] the voice of a man who speaks out in the desert, [urging people to] make the road for the Lord ready [for Him to travel]; to make a straight pathway for Him [to walk on].”

John 3:28

You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one] but [rather] that I was sent [by God] ahead of Him.’

John 1:22

So, they asked him [again], “[Then], who are you? We need to take back an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John 1:24

Now those who were sent [i.e., to question John] were Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion].