Mark 1:2-3

Mark 1:2-3

[2] it is written  in  the prophets,  Behold,  send  messenger  before  face,  which  shall prepare  way  [3] The voice  of one crying  in  the wilderness,  Prepare ye  the way  of the Lord,  make  his  paths  straight. 

What does Mark 1:2-3 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Mark began with a quotation from the Old Testament. A proper understanding of Jesus" ministry requires understand of prophecy concerning Messiah. He wrote literally, "It stands written" (perfect tense in the Greek text). The early Christians believed that the Old Testament was God"s authoritative Word.
This quotation is a blend of words taken from the Septuagint version of Exodus 23:20, Malachi 3:1, and Isaiah 40:3. Mark shaped this quotation to stress the messianic emphasis in these Old Testament passages. He probably introduced this quotation by referring to Isaiah because the Isaiah part contains the main point he wanted to stress ( Mark 1:3) or perhaps because Isaiah was the more prominent of the prophets he quoted.
The desert where God met with His people was a significant Old Testament motif. Messiah would come out of the desert. "The Lord" proved to be Jesus. Mark"s introduction of the word "way" (Gr. hodos, lit. road or highway) begins one of his themes, namely, the path through life. This is what a disciple of Jesus must follow (cf. Mark 8:27; Mark 9:33; Mark 10:17; Mark 10:32; Mark 10:52; Mark 12:14).
This is the only time Mark quoted an Old Testament passage other than when he quoted Jesus referring to the Old Testament. The one in Mark 15:28 lacks ancient manuscript authority. What a contrast with Matthew!
"The point of the whole quotation is that John"s preparatory ministry, in fulfillment of prophecy, authenticated Jesus" Messiahship and prepared for the beginning of His official ministry as the Messiah." [1]